Chief of Army (Australia)

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Chief of Army
120px
120px
Australian Army
Style Lieutenant General
Abbreviation CA
Member of Australian Defence Force
Reports to Chief of the Defence Force
Term length Four years
Formation 29 January 1902
First holder Major General Sir Edward Hutton
Deputy Deputy Chief of Army
Website Official website

The Chief of Army is the most senior appointment in the Australian Army, responsible to both the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) and the Secretary, Department of Defence (SECDEF). The rank associated with the position is lieutenant general (3-star).

Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, the incumbent Chief of Army, has held the post since 2 July 2022.[1]

History

The first Commander of the Australian Army was titled General Officer Commanding, Australian Military Forces, in line with the usual British practice of the time.[2] Experience soon showed that the position concentrated more power than the Ministers for Defence—of whom there were twelve in as many years in 1901–1913—liked.[3] Moreover, the British Army had encountered administrative problems in the Second Boer War which led to the abolition of the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Forces there in 1904, and its replacement by an Army Board.[4]

In 1904, Minister for Defence Anderson Dawson commissioned a report which recommended a similar system for Australia, with a board consisting of four military members, the minister, and a finance member. This was implemented by his successor, James Whiteside McCay. Instead of creating a Chief of the General Staff as per the report, McCay's Military Board consisted of only three military members, the Deputy Adjutant General, the Chief of Ordnance, and the Chief of Intelligence.[5]

The post of Chief of the General Staff was finally created by the new Minister of Defence, George Pearce, in 1909, with Colonel William Bridges becoming the first Chief of the General Staff. The military members of the Military Board then became the Chief of the General Staff, Adjutant General, Chief of Ordnance, and Quartermaster General.[6]

During the Second World War, the threat of invasion led to a reversion to the old system. A Commander in Chief, General Sir Thomas Blamey, was appointed, and the Military Board was suspended, with its powers being transferred to the Commander in Chief. The post of Chief of the General Staff remained, but was now subordinate to the Commander in Chief.[7]

This was successful from a military point of view but the problem of a concentration of power recurred and, after the war ended, the government decided to re-form the Military Board. Blamey was replaced by Lieutenant General Vernon Sturdee in 1945 and the next year the post of Commander in Chief was again abolished, with Sturdee becoming Chief of the General Staff.[8]

The system continued until the reforms of Arthur Tange in 1973. The three services were unified under the Department of Defence. The Military Board was abolished and the Chief of the General Staff became subordinate to the Chief of the Defence Force Staff and the Secretary of Defence.[9] Reflecting this change from a staff to a command role, the post was renamed Chief of Army in 1997.[10]

Appointees

The following table lists all those who have held the post of Chief of Army or its preceding positions. Ranks and honours are as at the completion of their tenure.[11]

Name Took office Left office Time in office
General Officer Commanding Australian Military Forces
1
Sir Edward Hutton KCB, KCMG, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Hutton, EdwardMajor General Sir Edward Hutton KCB, KCMG, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(1848–1923)
29 January 1902 10 November 1904 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
2 Finn, HarryMajor General Harry Finn CB, DCM, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(1852–1924)
11 November 1904 12 January 1905 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
Chief of the General Staff
3
William Bridges CMG, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Bridges, WilliamColonel William Bridges CMG, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(1861–1915)
1 January 1909 25 May 1909 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
4 Hoad, JohnMajor General Sir John Hoad KCMG, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(1856–1911)
26 May 1909 30 May 1911 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
5 Wilson, FrancisLieutenant Colonel Francis Adrian Wilson DSO, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(1874–1956)
1 June 1911 10 May 1912 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
6 Gordon, JosephBrigadier General Joseph Maria Gordon CB, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(1856–1929)
11 May 1912 31 July 1914 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
7 Legge, JamesColonel James Gordon Legge CMG, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(1863–1947)
1 August 1914 23 May 1915 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
8 Irving, GodfreyColonel Godfrey Irving CMG, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(1867–1937)
24 May 1915 31 December 1915 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
9 Foster, HubertColonel Hubert Foster
(1855–1919)
1 January 1916 30 September 1917 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
(7) Legge, JamesMajor General James Gordon Legge CB, CMG, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(1863–1947)
1 October 1917 31 May 1920 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
10
Sir Brudenell White KCMG, KCVO, CB, DSO, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
White, BrudenellLieutenant General Sir Brudenell White KCMG, KCVO, CB, DSO, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(1876–1940)
1 June 1920 10 June 1923 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
11
Sir Harry Chauvel GCMG, KCB, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Chauvel, HarryGeneral Sir Harry Chauvel GCMG, KCB, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(1865–1945)
11 June 1923 15 April 1930 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
12 Chauvel, HarryMajor General Walter Coxen CB, CMG, DSO, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(1870–1949)
16 April 1930 30 September 1931 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
13 Bruche, JuliusMajor General Sir Julius Bruche KCB, CMG, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(1873–1961)
1 October 1931 20 April 1935 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
14
John Lavarack CB, CMG, DSO, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Lavarack, JohnMajor General John Lavarack CB, CMG, DSO, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(1885–1957)
21 April 1935 12 October 1939 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
15 Squires, ErnestLieutenant General Ernest Squires CB, DSO, MC, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(1882–1940)
13 October 1939 26 January 1940 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
16
John Northcott CB, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Northcott, JohnMajor General John Northcott CB, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(1890–1966)
27 January 1940 17 March 1940 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
(10)
Sir Brudenell White KCB, KCMG, KCVO, DSO, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
White, BrudenellGeneral Sir Brudenell White KCB, KCMG, KCVO, DSO, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(1876–1940)
18 March 1940 13 August 1940 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
17
Vernon Sturdee CBE, DSO, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Sturdee, VernonLieutenant General Vernon Sturdee CBE, DSO, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(1890–1966)
14 August 1940 9 September 1942 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
(16)
John Northcott CB, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Northcott, JohnLieutenant General John Northcott CB, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(1890–1966)
10 September 1942 30 November 1945 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
(17)
Sir Vernon Sturdee KBE, CB, DSO, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Sturdee, VernonLieutenant General Sir Vernon Sturdee KBE, CB, DSO, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(1890–1966)
1 December 1945 16 April 1950 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
18 Rowell, SydneyLieutenant General Sir Sydney Rowell KBE, CB, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(1894–1975)
17 April 1950 15 December 1954 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
19
Sir Henry Wells KBE, CB, DSO, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Rowell, SydneyLieutenant General Sir Henry Wells KBE, CB, DSO, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(1898–1973)
16 December 1954 22 March 1958 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
20 Garrett, RagnarLieutenant General Sir Ragnar Garrett KBE, CB, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(1900–1977)
23 March 1958 30 June 1960 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
21 Pollard, RegLieutenant General Sir Reg Pollard KBE, CB, DSO, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(1903–1978)
1 July 1960 20 January 1963 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
22 Wilton, JohnLieutenant General Sir John Wilton KBE, CB, DSO, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(1910–1981)
21 January 1963 18 May 1966 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
23 Daly, ThomasLieutenant General Sir Thomas Daly KBE, CB, DSO, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(1913–2004)
19 May 1966 18 May 1971 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
24 Brogan, MervynLieutenant General Sir Mervyn Brogan KBE, CB, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(1915–1994)
19 May 1971 19 November 1973 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
25 Hassett, FrankLieutenant General Frank Hassett AC, CB, CBE, DSO, LVO, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(1918–2008)
20 November 1973 23 November 1975 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
26 MacDonald, ArthurLieutenant General Arthur MacDonald CB, OBE, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(1919–1995)
24 November 1975 20 April 1977 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
27 MacDonald, ArthurLieutenant General Sir Donald Dunstan KBE, CB, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(1923–2011)
21 April 1977 14 February 1982 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
28
Sir Phillip Bennett KBE, AO, DSO, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Bennett, PhillipLieutenant General Sir Phillip Bennett KBE, AO, DSO, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(born 1928)
15 February 1982 12 February 1984 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
29 Bennett, PhillipLieutenant General Peter Gration AO, OBE, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(born 1932)
13 February 1984 12 April 1987 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
30 O'Donnell, LawrenceLieutenant General Lawrence O'Donnell AC, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(born 1933)
13 April 1987 12 April 1990 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
31 Coates, JohnLieutenant General John Coates AC, MBE, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(1932–2018)
13 April 1990 30 April 1992 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
32 Grey, JohnLieutenant General John Grey AC, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(born 1939)
1 May 1992 7 July 1995 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
33 Sanderson, JohnLieutenant General John Sanderson AC, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(born 1940)
8 July 1995 18 February 1997 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
Chief of Army
(33) Sanderson, JohnLieutenant General John Sanderson AC, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(born 1940)
19 February 1997 23 June 1998 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
34 Hickling, FrankLieutenant General Frank Hickling AO, CSC, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(born 1941)
24 June 1998 15 July 2000 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
35 Cosgrove, PeterLieutenant General Peter Cosgrove AC, MC, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(born 1947)
16 July 2000 27 June 2002 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
36 Leahy, PeterLieutenant General Peter Leahy AC, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(born 1952)
28 June 2002 3 July 2008 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
37 Gillespie, KenLieutenant General Ken Gillespie AC, DSC, CSM, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(born 1952)
4 July 2008 24 June 2011 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
38 Morrison, DavidLieutenant General David Morrison AO, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(born 1956)
25 June 2011 15 May 2015 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
39 Campbell, AngusLieutenant General Angus Campbell AO, DSC, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 16 May 2015 2 July 2018 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
40 Burr, RickLieutenant General Rick Burr AO, DSC, MVO, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(born 1964)
2 July 2018 1 July 2022 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.
41 Burr, RickLieutenant General Simon Stuart AO, DSC, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2 July 2022 Incumbent Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist.

See also

References

Citations

  1. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. Wood 2006, p. 13
  3. Wood 2006, pp. 50–51
  4. Wood 2006, pp. xv–xxi
  5. Wood 2006, pp. 54–59
  6. Wood 2006, p. 66
  7. Palazzo 2001, p. 66
  8. Palazzo 2001, pp. 221–222
  9. Palazzo 2001, pp. 316–318
  10. Palazzo 2001, p. 323
  11. Beaumont 2001, pp. 75–76

Sources

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