Ron Grey

For other people with similar names, see Ron Gray.

Ronald Alwyn Grey
Born(1930-07-02)2 July 1930
Subiaco, Western Australia
Died20 January 2022(2022-01-20) (aged 91)
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
AllegianceAustralia
Service / branchAustralian Army
Years of service1949–1983
RankMajor General
CommandsField Forces Command (1980–83)
7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1968–71)
Battles / warsKorean War
Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation
Vietnam War
AwardsOfficer of the Order of Australia
Distinguished Service Order
Mentioned in Despatches
Cross of Gallantry (Vietnam)
RelationsJeffrey Grey (son)
Other workCommissioner of the Australian Federal Police (1983–88)

Major General Ronald Alwyn Grey, AO, DSO (2 July 1930 – 20 January 2022) was a senior Australian Army officer who served as Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police (1983–88).

Military career

Grey attended the Royal Military College, Duntroon, from 1948 to 1951 and served in the Australian Army until 1983, attaining the rank of major general in 1978. During his career he served in Borneo, Korea, and Vietnam.[1]

Grey was Mentioned in Despatches in recognition of gallant and distinguished conduct in the Borneo Territories during the period 24 December 1965 to 23 June 1966.[2]

He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in 1971 for his role as the Commanding Officer of 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in Vietnam,[3] and was also awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.[1]

He served as Chief of Operations – Army, and as General Officer Commanding Field Force Command in the early 1980s. For his service in these positions, Grey was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia.[4]

Commissioner, Australian Federal Police

Grey was the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police from 1983 to 1988.[1][5]

Later career and death

In 1988, Grey was commissioned to undertake a review of the rescue services in New South Wales. The recommendations of his review were implemented by the New South Wales government in 1989.[6]

Grey died on 20 January 2022, at the age of 91.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c AFP – The First Thirty Years, 30th Anniversary of the AFP 1979–2009, www.afp.gov.au, pg.8
  2. ^ Mention in Despatches, London Gazette, 13 December 1966.
  3. ^ DSO, 21 December 1971, Citation: 7 Royal Australian Regiment – Commanding in Vietnam, It's an Honour.
    D.S.O. London Gazette (Vietnam) 21 December 1971.
    Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 16 December 1971.
  4. ^ AO, 26 January 1983, Citation: For service to the Australian Army, particularly as Chief of Operations Army and as General Officer Commanding Field Force Command, It's an Honour.
  5. ^ bio, Commissioner's message, Platypus Magazine, October 2004, pg.3
  6. ^ Lot 463, 25 March 2013, Vietnam 1964–73 campaign medal (57011 R. A. Grey), www.dnw.co.uk – Auction result
  7. ^ "AFP honours former Commissioner". Australian Federal Police. 21 January 2022. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
Military offices
Preceded by
Major General John Williamson
 General Officer Commanding Field Force Command
1980–1983 		Succeeded by
Major General John Kelly
Police appointments
Preceded by Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police
1983–1988 		Succeeded by