Ron Grey
Major General Ronald Alwyn Grey, AO, DSO (born 2 July 1930) is a retired senior Australian Army officer and former Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police (1983–88).
Ronald Alwyn Grey | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 July 1930 Subiaco, Western Australia |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Service/ | Australian Army |
| Years of service | 1949–1983 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands held | Field Forces Command (1980–83) 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1968–71) |
| Battles/wars | Korean War Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation Vietnam War |
| Awards | Officer of the Order of Australia Distinguished Service Order Mentioned in Despatches Cross of Gallantry (Vietnam) |
| Relations | Jeffrey Grey (son) |
| Other work | Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police (1983–88) |
Military career
Grey served in the Australian Army from 1950 to 1983, attaining the rank of major general in 1978. During his career he served in Borneo, Korea, and Vietnam.[1]
- Summary[2]
| 13 June 1952 – 23 July 1952 14 August 1952 – 12 June 1953 | Korea | Lieutenant, 3 RAR |
| 1962 | UK | Staff College, Camberley |
| 1966 | Borneo | Major, Army Royal Australian Infantry, Headquarters, COMLANDBOR |
| 25 November 1968 | Appointed Commanding Officer, 7 RAR | |
| February 1970 – March 1971 | Vietnam | Lieutenant Colonel commanding 7 RAR in Phuc Tuy Province |
| 1977 | Awarded National Medal | |
| 1984 | Awarded clasp to National Medal | |
| 1988 | Awarded second clasp to National Medal |
Grey was Mentioned in Despatches in recognition of gallant and distinguished conduct in the Borneo Territories during the period 24 December 1965 to 23 June 1966.[3]
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in 1971 for his role as the Commanding Officer of 7 Royal Australian Regiment in Vietnam,[4] and was also awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.[1]
He served as Chief of Operations – Army, and as General Officer Commanding Field Force Command in the early 1980s. For his service in these positions, Grey was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia.[5]
Commissioner, Australian Federal Police
Grey was the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police from 1983 to 1988.[1][6]
Later work
"In 1988 he was commissioned to undertake a comprehensive review of the rescue services in New South Wales. The recommendations of the study were implemented by the N.S.W. Government in 1989."[2]
Honours and awards
| Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) | 26 January 1983, "For service to the Australian Army, particularly as Chief of Operations Army and as General Officer Commanding Field Force Command.".[7] |
| Distinguished Service Order (DSO) | 21 December 1971, "For distinguished service:7 Royal Australian Regiment - Commanding in Vietnam".[8] |
| National Medal with 2 Clasps | 14 July 1977,[9] 8 March 1984,[10] 14 December 1988[11] For 35–44 years of service. |
| Mentioned in dispatches | December 1966, Military Service - Borneo |
| Gallantry Cross (Vietnam) with palm | 21 December 1971, Military Service - Vietnam |
References
- AFP – The First Thirty Years, 30th Anniversary of the AFP 1979–2009, www.afp.gov.au, pg.8
- Lot 463, 25 March 2013, Vietnam 1964–73 campaign medal (57011 R. A. Grey), www.dnw.co.uk – Auction result
- Mention in Despatches, London Gazette, 13 December 1966.
- DSO, 21 December 1971, Citation: 7 Royal Australian Regiment – Commanding in Vietnam, It's an Honour.
D.S.O. London Gazette (Vietnam) 21 December 1971.
Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 16 December 1971. - AO, 26 January 1983, Citation: For service to the Australian Army, particularly as Chief of Operations Army and as General Officer Commanding Field Force Command, It's an Honour.
- bio, Commissioner's message, Platypus Magazine, October 2004, pg.3
- "Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)". Australian Honours Database. 31 March 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
- Distinguished Service Order - It's an Honour
- National Medal - It's an Honour
- National Medal – 1st Clasp, It's an Honour
- National Medal – 2nd Clasp, It's an Honour
External links
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Major General John Williamson |
General Officer Commanding Field Force Command 1980–1983 |
Succeeded by Major General John Kelly |
| Police appointments | ||
| Preceded by Colin Woods |
Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police 1983–1988 |
Succeeded by Peter McAulay |