Former Defence chief passes on

Mrs Justine Beaumont displays her husband’s decorations at his funeral in Canberra. Photo by Pte Shannon Joyce, Army newspaper

FORMER Chief of Defence Force and three-time recipient of the Order of Australia, Adm Alan Beaumont, passed away last month after a long battle with illness.

A memorial service was held on Tuesday September 28, in Canberra at Saint Pauls Anglican Chapel, RMC Duntroon.

The passing of Adm Beaumont is a sad loss for the Navy. His impressive Navy career began in 1948 when he joined the RAN College. During his time in the Navy, he trained and worked with both the Royal Navy and the RAN.

As a junior sailor he served in HMA Ships Australia, Bataan, Shoalhaven, Vengeance, Fremantle and Quickmatch and HM Ships Maidstone, Armada and Lewistone. His shore postings included HMAS Cerberus, HMS Vernon, HMAS Watson, Navy Office (Canberra) and the US Navy Fleet Anti-Submarine School in San Diego.

He was promoted to Commander while serving as XO of HMAS Brisbane during the ship’s period of service in the Vietnam Conflict in 1969. He then went on to command HMA Ships Ibis, Yarra (1972-73) and Vampire (1978-79).

His staff postings in Canberra included Director of Underwater weapons, Follow-on Destroyer Project Officer and Director General of Naval Plans and Policy. He was also Director General Defence Force Administrative Policy and Assistant Chief of the Defence Force (policy) in ADF Headquarters.

In 1987 he was promoted to rear admiral and assumed the duties of Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Development). He then became the Assistant Chief of Defence Force in 1988. In 1989 he was promoted to vice admiral and assumed the appointment of VCDF, serving in this role until 1992.

He was promoted to admiral in 1993 and commenced his appointment as CDF. He retired from this role in 1995.

Adm Beaumont was also the first Australian to achieve three awards (1982, 1989 and 1992) in the Order of Australia.