Arthur Leslie MacDonald KBE CB (1919 - 1995)

Born 30 Jan 1919 in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia

Husband of Joan Bevington (Brady) MacDonald — married 1940 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Died 28 Jan 1995 at age 75 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

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Biography

Arthur MacDonald KBE CB is Notable.

General Sir Arthur MacDonald KBE CB was a senior officer in the Australian Army, who served in the positions of Chief of the General Staff from 1975 to 1977, then Chief of the Defence Force Staff from 1977 to 1979; the professional head of the Australian Army and Australian Defence Force respectively. His was a crucial time in office as the army rebuilt following the downsizing that resulted from the end of the Vietnam War.

Arthur Leslie MacDonald was born on 30th January 1919 in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia.

He married Joan Bevington Brady in 1940 in Brisbane, Queensland. ^[1]

Arthur MacDonald KBE CB is a Military Veteran.
Served in the Second Australian Imperial Force 1940-1945
2/15th Australian Infantry Battalion

He graduated from Royal Military College, Duntroon, in 1939, and was posted to the 2/15th Australian Infantry Battalion the following year for active service during the Second World War. ^[2] MacDonald remained with the battalion until the end of the war, which included seeing action at El Alamein during the North African Campaign, and New Guinea in the South West Pacific theatre. ^[3]

Arthur MacDonald KBE CB is a Military Veteran.
Served in the Australian Army Royal Australian Regiment 1953-
3rd Battalion - Korea

In 1953, MacDonald was posted to Korea and assumed command of the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. ^[4] During his command of the unit, MacDonald was Mentioned in Despatches for his "personal example and professional ability". ^[5]

Arthur MacDonald KBE CB is a Military Veteran.
Served in the Australian Army 1968-1970
Vietnam War

He was posted to Vietnam in 1968 and assumed command of the army component of the Australian forces in the country. ^[6] For his services in Vietnam, MacDonald was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB), an Officer of the National Order of Vietnam and awarded the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm

In 1975, MacDonald was promoted to Lieutenant General and assumed the position of Chief of the General Staff; the professional head of the Australian Army. Two years later, he was promoted to General and appointed Chief of the Defence Force Staff (CDFS) on 21st April 1977 in succession to General Sir Frank Hassett. In the 1978 New Years honours, MacDonald was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE).

Sir Arthur passed away, two days before his 76th birthday anniversary, on 28th January 1995 in Brisbane and was given a military funeral in St John's Cathedral, Brisbane, on 2nd February, before his ashes were interred in Mount Thompson Memorial Park, Queensland. ^[7]

Sources

1. ↑ Queensland Marriage Index #B39693/1940
2. ↑ Australian_War_Memoral_Nominal_Roll:_QX6229_Arthur_MacDonald; accessed 16 Jun 2018
3. ↑ Australian_War_Memoral_Unit_record:_2/15th_Australian_Infantry_Battalion; accessed 16 Jun 2018
4. ↑ Department_of_Veteran's_Affairs_Nominal_Roll:_18_Arthur_MacDonald; accessed 16 Jun 2018
5. ↑ Australian_War_Memoral_Unit_record:_3rd_Battalion_Royal_Australian_Regiment; accessed 16 Jun 2018
6. ↑ Department_of_Veteran's_Affairs_Nominal_Roll:_18_Arthur_MacDonald; accessed 16 Jun 2018
7. ↑ Mount_Thompson_Memorial_Park

See also

• Wikipedia: Arthur MacDonald; accessed 16 Jun 2018.