Alan Beaumont

Infobox Military Person
name= Alan Lee Beaumont
lived= Birth date|df=yes|1934|12|24 - Death date and age|df=yes|2004|9|21|1934|12|24
placeofbirth= Newcastle, New South Wales
placeofdeath= Canberra, Australian Capital Territory


caption=
nickname=
allegiance= flagicon|Australia Commonwealth of Australia
serviceyears= 1948-1995
rank= Admiral
branch=
commands= Australian Defence Force
HMAS Vampire (D11)
HMAS Yarra (DE 45)
HMAS Ibis
unit=
battles= Vietnam War
awards= Companion of the Order of Australia
laterwork= President of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of the ACT
Admiral Alan Lee Beaumont AC (24 December 1934 - 21 September 2004) was a senior officer within the Royal Australian Navy, eventually serving as Chief of the Australian Defence Force from 1993 until 1995.

Early life

Alan Lee Beaumont was born on 24 December 1934 in Newcastle, New South Wales. He was educated at Boolaroo Public School and Newcastle Technical High School. [ [http://www.defence.gov.au/media/AlertTpl.cfm?CurrentId=4243 Department of Defence] - Biography]

ervice History

Beaumont joined the Royal Australian Naval College in 1948, graduating in 1951.

He trained with the Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy before being promoted to Lieutenant 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 as a specialist in the field.

As a Lieutenant Commander, Beaumont served as Executive Officer on HMAS "Brisbane" during a seven month tour during the Vietnam War in 1969. [ [http://www.vietnamroll.gov.au/VeteranDetails.aspx?VeteranId=1241562 Vietnam War Nominal Roll] ] He was promoted to Commander for his service in this position, and posted as Officer-in-Charge HMAS "Watson".

Beaumont commanded HMAS "Ibis" in 1962, HMAS "Yarra" between 1972 and 1973, and HMAS "Vampire" 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 in the Australia Day Honours list of 1982. [ [http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=879871&search_type=quick&showInd=true It's an Honour] - Member of the Order of Australia]

Beaumont was appointed Chief of Staff to the Flag Officer Naval Support Command in January of 1987, later being promoted to Rear Admiral 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 upgraded to an Officer of the Order of Australia in mid 1989. [ [http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=879206&search_type=quick&showInd=true It's an Honour] - Officer of the Order of Australia]

Promoted to Vice Admiral on 11 September, 1989, Beaumont assumed the appointment of Vice Chief of the Defence Force, serving in this position until October of 1992. For his distinguished command in this position, Beaumont was upgraded to a Companion of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day Honours List of 1992, becoming the first person to receive three awards in the Order of Australia. [ [http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=879580&search_type=quick&showInd=true It's an Honour] - Companion of the Order of Australia]

He was promoted to Admiral on 17 April, 1993 and commenced his appointment as Chief of the Defence Force. Admiral Beaumont retired from the Royal Australian Navy on 6 July 1995.

Later Life and Death

Between the years of 2000 and 2003, Beaumont served as President of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of the ACT.

Admiral Alan Lee Beaumont passed away on the 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, whom had widowed him.

References

External links

* [http://www.defence.gov.au/news/raafnews/editions/4619/topstories/story04.htm Air Force Newspaper] - Funeral for former CDF
* [http://www.coolweave.com.au/SWAG_October_November_2004.pdf The Multiple Sclerosis Society of the ACT] - Announcement of Beaumont's death
* [http://www.defence.gov.au/news/raafnews/editions/4619/images/02-beaumont.jpgOfficial photo]