Admiral Admiral is one of the highest ranks in some navies. In the Commonwealth nations and the United States, a "full" admiral is equivalent to a "full" general in the army or the air force, and is above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet, ...

Alan Lee Beaumont, (24 December 1934 – 21 September 2004) was a senior officer in the

Royal Australian Navy The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is the principal naval force of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The professional head of the RAN is Chief of Navy (CN) Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AM, RAN. CN is also jointly responsible to the Minister of ...

, whose career culminated with his appointment as Chief of the Defence Force from 1993 to 1995.

Early life

Alan Lee Beaumont was born on 24 December 1934 in

Newcastle, New South Wales Newcastle ( ; Awabakal: ) is a metropolitan area and the second most populated city in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It includes the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie local government areas, and is the hub of the Greater Newcastle area, w ...

. He was educated at Boolaroo Public School and Newcastle Technical High School. – Includes a biography.

Military career

Beaumont joined the

Royal Australian Naval College The Royal Australian Naval College (RANC), commonly known as HMAS Creswell, is the naval academy of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). It consists of the RAN School of Survivability and Ship's Safety, Kalkara Flight, the Beecroft Weapons Range an ...

in 1948, graduating in 1951. He trained with the

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against F ...

and Royal Australian Navy before being promoted to

lieutenant A lieutenant ( , ; abbreviated Lt., Lt, LT, Lieut and similar) is a commissioned officer rank in the armed forces of many nations. The meaning of lieutenant differs in different militaries (see comparative military ranks), but it is often sub ...

in 1956. He completed a Torpedo Anti-Submarine specialist course with the Royal Navy between 1959 and 1960, and later served periods of exchange service with the Royal Navy and

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

as a specialist in the field. As a

lieutenant commander Lieutenant commander (also hyphenated lieutenant-commander and abbreviated Lt Cdr, LtCdr. or LCDR) is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander. The corresponding rank i ...

, Beaumont served as Executive Officer on during a seven-month

Vietnam War The Vietnam War (also known by #Names, other names) was a conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. It was the second of the Indochina Wars and was officially fought between North Vie ...

tour in 1969. He was promoted to

commander Commander (commonly abbreviated as Cmdr.) is a common naval officer rank. Commander is also used as a rank or title in other formal organizations, including several police forces. In several countries this naval rank is termed frigate captain. ...

for his service in this position, and posted as Officer-in-Charge HMAS ''Watson''. Beaumont commanded in 1962, between 1972 and 1973, and between 1978 and 1979. Staff postings in Canberra followed, including Director of Underwater Weapons, Follow-on Destroyer Project Officer, Director of Naval Plans, Director General Naval Plans and Policy and President of Officers Selection Boards. For his service as Director of Naval Plans, Beaumont was appointed a

Member of the Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of the Australian Gove ...

(AM) in the

Australia Day Australia Day is the official national day of Australia. Observed annually on 26 January, it marks the 1788 landing of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove and raising of the Union Flag by Arthur Phillip following days of exploration of Port Ja ...

Honours list of 1982. Beaumont was appointed Chief of Staff to the Flag Officer Naval Support Command in January 1987, later being promoted to

rear admiral Rear admiral is a senior naval flag officer rank, equivalent to a major general and air vice marshal and above that of a commodore and captain, but below that of a vice admiral. It is regarded as a two star "admiral" rank. It is often regarde ...

in June and assuming the duties of Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Development). He was appointed to the post of Assistant Chief of the Defence Force (Personnel) on 5 December 1988, and appointed an

Officer of the Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of the Australian Gove ...

(AO) in the 1989 Queen's Birthday Honours list. Promoted to vice admiral on 11 September 1989, Beaumont assumed the appointment of

Vice Chief of the Defence Force The Vice Chief of the Defence Force (VCDF) is the military deputy to the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) of Australia, and acts as the CDF in his absence under standing acting arrangements. Vice Admiral David Johnston, the incumbent VCDF, has ...

, serving in this position until October 1992. For his distinguished command in this position, Beaumont was appointed a

Companion of the Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of the Australian Gove ...

(AC) in the Australia Day Honours List of 1992, becoming the first person to receive three awards of the

Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of the Australian Gove ...

. Beaumont was promoted to

admiral Admiral is one of the highest ranks in some navies. In the Commonwealth nations and the United States, a "full" admiral is equivalent to a "full" general in the army or the air force, and is above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet, ...

on 17 April 1993 and commenced his appointment as Chief of the Defence Force (CDF). Beaumont retired from the Royal Australian Navy on 6 July 1995, and was succeeded as CDF by General John Baker.

Later life

Between 2000 and 2003, Beaumont served as President of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of the ACT. He died on 21 September 2004, after a long battle with cancer. He is survived by his second wife, Justine, and four children from a previous marriage to Noreen, who had widowed him.

Honours and awards

Australian Active Service Medal 1945-75 ribbon

Australian Service Medal 1945-1975 ribbon

Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp

References

External links

Air Force Newspaper
– Funeral for former CDF
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of the ACT
– Announcement of Beaumont's death
Official photo
{{DEFAULTSORT:Beaumont, Alan 1934 births 2004 deaths Military personnel from New South Wales Australian military personnel of the Vietnam War Companions of the Order of Australia Graduates of the Royal Australian Naval College People from New South Wales Royal Australian Navy admirals Recipients of the Centenary Medal Chiefs of the Defence Force (Australia) Vice Chiefs of the Defence Force (Australia)