McAnally was commissioned as a
sub-lieutenant in the
Royal Navy on 1 September 1964. After a number of postings, he served on
HMY Britannia from 1980 and was made a Member (later Lieutenant) of the
Royal Victorian Order in 1982. He commanded successively the
frigates and from 1984. He then became Commanding Officer successively of the frigates and as well as captain of the
6th Frigate Squadron from 1987. and retired in 2001. ==Retirement==