Donald Dunstan (governor)
Lieutenant General Sir Donald Beaumont Dunstan AC, KBE, CB (18 February 1923 – 15 October 2011) was an Australian Army officer who was Governor of South Australia from 23 April 1982 until 5 February 1991. A career officer, after joining the Army in 1940 during the Second World War, Dunstan graduated from the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1942 and served as an infantry officer, seeing combat against the Japanese during the Bougainville Campaign in 1945. After the war, he served in a variety of appointments, including as commander of the 1st Australian Task Force during the Vietnam War. From 1977 to 1982 he held the appointment of Chief of the General Staff, before retiring from the Army having overseen a large-scale re-organisation. Afterwards, he became the longest-serving governor of South Australia. He died in 2011, at the age of 88.
Lieutenant General Sir Donald Dunstan AC, KBE, CB | |
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30th Governor of South Australia | |
In office 23 April 1982 – 5 February 1991 | |
Monarch | Elizabeth II |
Premier | David Tonkin (1982) John Bannon (1982–1991) |
Preceded by | Sir Keith Seaman |
Succeeded by | Dame Roma Mitchell |
Personal details | |
Born | Donald Beaumont Dunstan 18 February 1923 Murray Bridge, South Australia |
Died | 15 October 2011 88) Adelaide, South Australia | (aged
Alma mater | Royal Military College, Duntroon |
Profession | Soldier |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Australia |
Branch/service | Australian Army |
Years of service | 1940–1982 |
Rank | Lieutenant General |
Commands | Chief of the General Staff (1977–82) Field Forces (1974–77) Australian Forces Vietnam (1971–72) 10th Task Force (1969–70) 1st Australian Task Force (1968–69) 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1964–65) |
Battles/wars | Second World War Korean War Vietnam War |
Awards | Companion of the Order of Australia Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire Companion of the Order of the Bath Mentioned in Despatches Officer of the National Order of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm (Vietnam) |