Chris Barrie (admiral)

Christopher Alexander Barrie

Barrie at the Climate Security Conference in London, March 2012.
Born (1945-05-29) 29 May 1945
Sydney, New South Wales
Allegiance Australia
Service/branch Royal Australian Navy
Years of service 1961–2002
Rank Admiral
Commands held Chief of the Defence Force (1998–02)
Vice Chief of the Defence Force (1997–98)
Deputy Chief of Navy (1995–97)
HMAS Watson (1991–92)
HMAS Stuart (1983–84)
HMAS Buccaneer (1969–70)
Battles/wars Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation
Vietnam War
Awards Companion of the Order of Australia
Distinguished Service Order (Military) (Singapore)

Admiral Christopher Alexander "Chris" Barrie AC, RAN (born 29 May 1945) is a retired senior officer of the Royal Australian Navy, who served as Chief of the Defence Force from 4 July 1998 to 3 July 2002.

Born in Sydney, Barrie was educated at North Sydney Boys High School and entered the Royal Australian Naval College in 1961. During his early naval training, Barrie completed service on HMA Ships Anzac, Vampire and Melbourne, which included service in the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation, and a 23-day tour of duty in Vietnam. Postings to the Britannia Royal Naval College at Dartmouth and HMS Excellent followed.

Barrie served at sea as part of the commissioning crew of HMAS Brisbane, which included a seven-month tour of duty in Vietnam, during 1969.

He also served as Commanding Officer HMAS Buccaneer, Operations and Navigating Officer on HMS Eastbourne, HMAS Perth and HMAS Duchess, Executive Officer on HMAS Vampire, and later as Commanding Officer HMAS Stuart.

In 1990–1991, Barrie held an appointment as Defence Adviser, New Delhi, India, and following this post, he served as Director RAN Surface Warfare School and Commanding Officer HMAS Watson; Deputy Maritime Commander and Chief of Staff at Maritime Headquarters in Sydney; Deputy Chief of Naval Staff; and Vice Chief of the Defence Force in 1997–1998.

Barrie was promoted to admiral, and assumed the post of Chief of the Defence Force on 4 July 1998. He held this position until his retirement in 2002, and was succeeded by General Peter Cosgrove.

Through part-time study, Barrie obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1983, with a special focus on International Relations and Politics, and was awarded a Master of Business Administration degree in 1996 by Deakin University.

As the Chief of the Defence Force, Barrie became involved in the "Children Overboard Affair" of 2001, a high-level political controversy which occurred during the Australian federal election campaign. Barrie was the last Australian Government official to publicly support Prime Minister John Howard's assertion that refugees had thrown their children overboard from their sinking vessel.[1]

Awards

Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) (2001)[2]
Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) (1998)[3]
Member of the Order of Australia (AM) (1994)[4]
Australian Active Service Medal 1945-1975
General Service Medal
Vietnam Medal
Australian Service Medal 1945-1975
Centenary Medal (2001)[5]
Defence Force Service Medal with Federation Star (40–44 years service)
National Medal (1978)[6]
Australian Defence Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal (South Vietnam)
Distinguished Service Order (Military) (Singapore)

References

  1. ↑ Australian Broadcasting Corporation '7:30 Report' TV program transcript, 27-02-2002.
  2. ↑ It's an Honour – Companion of the Order of Australia – 26 January 2001
    Citation: For eminent service to the Australian Defence Force as Chief of the Defence Force.
  3. ↑ It's an Honour – Officer of the Order of Australia – 8 June 1998
    Citation: For distinguished service to the Australian Defence Force as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff and Vice Chief of the Defence Force.
  4. ↑ It's an Honour – Member of the Order of Australia – 26 January 1994
    Citation: In recognition of service to the Royal Australian Navy, particularly as Deputy Maritime Commander and Chief of Staff, Maritime HQ.
  5. ↑ It's an Honour – Centenary Medal – 1 January 2001
    Citation: For service to Australian society as Chief of the Australian Defence Force.
  6. ↑ It's an Honour – National Medal – 6 September 1978
Military offices
Preceded by
General John Baker		 Chief of the Defence Force
1998–2002 		Succeeded by
General Peter Cosgrove
Preceded by
Vice Admiral Robert Walls		 Vice Chief of the Defence Force
1997–1998 		Succeeded by
Air Marshal Douglas Riding
Preceded by
Rear Admiral David Campbell		 Deputy Chief of Naval Staff
1995–1997 		Succeeded by
Rear Admiral Chris Oxenbould
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