Robert William Cole (1926 - 2019)

Born 16 Sep 1926 in Clifton Hill, Victoria, Australia

Ancestors

Died 8 Jan 2019 at age 92 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia

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Biography

Robert Cole is Notable.

Sir (Robert) William Cole was a senior Australian public servant. He held secretary-level positions in four departments or agencies.

Robert Cole was born in Victoria, Australia

Robert Cole has Scottish Ancestors.

Robert William Cole was born on 16th September 1926 in Clifton Hill, Victoria, Australia. William, as he was known, was the eldest of three children of James Cole and Rita Tassie. After graduating from Northcote High School in 1941 he obtained employment with the Federal Public Service as a telegraph messenger in the Postmaster General's Department (now Australia Post).

Robert Cole is a Military Veteran.
Served in the Royal Australian Air Force 1945-1946
No.7 RP Unit

On 27th February 1945, William enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) serving in the service's postal division, in the No.7 RP Unit. ^[1] After being demobilised on 30th July 1946, he returned to the public service, with the Department of Supply in Melbourne.

In 1948, taking advantage of the government's Commonwealth Reconstruction Training Scheme, he completed the senior high school years, which enabled him to study for a commerce degree at the University of Melbourne. Upon graduation he returned to the Department of Supply. In 1952, moved to Canberra to work as a research officer in the Department of the Treasury.

William married Margaret Martin in November 1956 in Canberra.  The couple subsequently had two children: Kate and Robert.

From 1957 to 1959 the family lived in Washington, DC, whilst William was seconded to the International Monetary Fund. Successfully directing the Bureau of Transport Economics from 1970 to 1972 led to his appointment to senior roles in the public service, namely:

• first Assistant Secretary to the Treasury (1972-76)
• Australian Statistician (1976)
• Secretary of the Department of Finance (1976-78)
• Chairman of the Public Service Board (1978-83) and
• Secretary of the Department of Defence (1984-87)

In the New Year Honours 1981, William was created Knight Bachelor 'in recognition of service to the public service'. ^[2]

Aged 92 years, he passed away on 8th January 2019 in Perth, Western Australia.

Sources

1. ↑ Department of Veterans' Affairs nominal roll: 450684 Leading Aircraftman Robert William Cole; accessed 15 Apr 2024
2. ↑ Australian Honours: Knight Bachelor; accessed 15 Apr 2024

See also:

• William Cole: accessed 15 Apr 2024.