Alan Lindsay Morrison AO MBE DSO (1927 - 2008)

Born 15 Aug 1927 in Haberfield, New South Wales, Australia

Ancestors

Died 9 May 2008 at age 80 in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

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Biography

Alby Morrison AO MBE DSO is Notable.

Major General 'Alby' Morrison AO MBE DSO was a senior officer in the Australian Army. A graduate of the Royal Military College, Duntroon, he served on occupation duties in Japan as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force and later saw combat in both the Korean War and Vietnam War.

Alan Lindsay Morrison was born on 15th August 1927 in Haberfield, New South Wales, Australia. He was the second of three sons of John Morrison and Eileen Pattison. The family moved to Bronte and Morrison participated in body surfing at Bronte beach and played rugby union. He went to school at Waverley College and completed his education in 1944. He entered the Royal Military College, Duntroon (RMC), at the beginning of 1945. ^[1]

Alby Morrison AO MBE DSO is a Military Veteran.
Served in the Australian Army 1948-1981, attaining rank of Lieutenant General.
Served in Royal Australian Regiment, commandant of RMC Duntroon, and Chief of Personnel.

Upon graduation from RMC, Alby was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Royal Australian Infantry in 1948. He was posted to Japan to join the 66th Battalion, 34th Brigade, as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force. Re-named 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, on 23rd November 1948 the battalion returned to Australia in December. Alby served with the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (RAR), seeing combat as a platoon commander during the Korean War. ^[2] In November 1953 he was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for distinguished service in Korea.^[3]

Alby married Margaret Lennon on 18th December 1954 in Cairns, Queensland. ^[4][5]

After serving on the headquarters of the 28th Commonwealth Brigade, he led the 9th Battalion RAR, during its combat tour during the Vietnam War. ^[6] He was appointed Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in May 1970 for his service in Vietnam. ^[7][8]

Alby was awarded the National Medal with Frst Clasp in 1977, ^[9] and Second Clasp in 1980. ^[10] His later appointments included Commander of the 1st Brigade, Commandant of Royal Military College, Duntroon, and Chief of Personnel.^[1] Alby was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the Queen's Birthday Honours 1980 for his service as commandant RMC. ^[11] He retired from the Army in 1981 after 36 years of service. ^[1]

After leaving the Army, Alby helped found the RAR Association and became the inaugural Chairman. He was also active as the Services Member of the Repatriation Commission until 1989. Afterwards, he became deputy chairman of the Calvary Hospital Board, Canberra, until 1997. ^[1]

He passed away, aged 80 years, on 9th May 2008 in Canberra, ^[12] survived by Margaret, their son David, daughter Jenny, children-in-law and seven grandchildren. ^[13]

Alby's son, [Lieutenant General David Morrison, was Chief of Army from June 2011 until his retirement in May 2015 and Australian of the Year 2016.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} Wikipedia profile: Alan Morrison; accessed 16 Jun 2018
2. ↑ Department of Veterans Affairs: 2508 Captain Alan Lindsay Morrison
3. ↑ Australian Honours: Captain Alan Lindsay Morrison
4. ↑ Cairns Post (Qld.: 1909-1954) Fri 12 Mar 1954 Page 5 Engagement
5. ↑ Cairns Post (Qld: 1909-1954) Tue 14 Dec 1954 Page 6 Marriage
6. ↑ Department of Veterans Affairs: 2508 Colonel Alan Lindsay Morrison
7. ↑ Australian Honours: Lieutenant Colonel Alan Lindsay Morrison DSO
8. ↑ Lieutenant Colonel Alan Lindsay Morrison MBE as Commanding Officer 9th Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment, South Vietnam 1968-1969, interviewed by Major Ernest Ross-Smith
9. ↑ Australian Honours: Brigadier Alan Lindsay Morrison DSO MBE, National Medal
10. ↑ Australian Honours: Major General Alan Lindsay Morrison DSO MBE, National Medal second clasp
11. ↑ Australian Honours: Major General Alan Lindsay Morrison AO DSO MBE
12. ↑ Major General Alan Lindsay "Alby" Morrison
13. ↑ Memorial Service programme