Ron Grey
Major General Ronald Alwyn Grey, AO, DSO (2 July 1930 – 20 January 2022) was a senior Australian Army officer who served as Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police (1983–88).
Ronald Alwyn Grey | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 July 1930 Subiaco, Western Australia |
| Died | 20 January 2022 (aged 91) Canberra, Australian Capital Territory |
| 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]
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.[2]
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in 1971 for his role as the Commanding Officer of 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in Vietnam,[3] 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.[4]
Commissioner, Australian Federal Police
Grey was the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police from 1983 to 1988.[1][5]
Later career and death
In 1988, Grey was commissioned to undertake a review of the rescue services in New South Wales. The recommendations of his review were implemented by the New South Wales government in 1989.[6]
Grey died on 20 January 2022, at the age of 91.[7]
References
- AFP – The First Thirty Years, 30th Anniversary of the AFP 1979–2009, www.afp.gov.au, pg.8
- 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
- Lot 463, 25 March 2013, Vietnam 1964–73 campaign medal (57011 R. A. Grey), www.dnw.co.uk – Auction result
- "AFP honours former Commissioner". Australian Federal Police. 21 January 2022. Retrieved 21 January 2022.