Davyd Thomas
Encyclopedia
Rear Admiral
Davyd Rhys Thomas AO, CSC
, RAN
(b. 2 May 1956) is a senior officer in the Royal Australian Navy
.
, and joined the Royal Australian Navy
College from that city in 1974. After gaining a Bridge Watchkeeping Certificate in 1978, he served as Executive Officer
of HMAS Aware
, a Darwin
based patrol boat.
Thomas was promoted to Lieutenant
in 1979, during which time he commenced his warfare training, and served on HMAS Brisbane. A short stint on the staff at the RAN Apprentice Training Establishment, prior to professional warfare specialist training in the United Kingdom
, followed in 1983.
Upon his return to Australia, Thomas served as the Operations Officer on HMAS Vampire
, and later on HMAS Perth as Gunnery Officer. He then completed the RAN Staff Course in 1987, and was subsequently employed as the Surface Weapons Trials Officer at the RAN's Test and Evaluation Centre in Sydney.
Thomas was then posted as Executive Officer of HMAS Adelaide
, and participated in the first RAN contingent to the Persian Gulf
in 1990, as part of Operation Desert Shield; he was promoted to Commander in December 1990.
He then served in Western Australia
as the Operations Officer at Fleet Base West. In September 1994, Commander Thomas assumed command of HMAS Darwin
, based on the West Coast.
In the Australia Day
Honour's List of 1997, Thomas was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross
and was promoted to Captain in July of the same year. March 1999 saw him posted as Director of Naval Officers' Postings, until assuming command of HMAS Newcastle
, in March 2001.
As the Commanding Officer of Newcastle during Operation Slipper
in the Persian Gulf
, Captain Thomas conducted maritime interdiction in support of coalition forces enforcing United Nations
sanctions against Iraq
. For this he was awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service
in June 2003.Citation: For distinguished performance of duty as the Commanding Officer, HMAS NEWCASTLE, in the Persian Gulf
during Operation SLIPPER.
He was promoted to the rank of Commodore
and made a Member of the Order of Australia in mid 2002 for "exceptional service to the Royal Australian Navy".Citation: For exceptional service to the Royal Australian Navy as a senior Naval Officer through personal commitment and dedication to professional excellence. He later assumed the position of Commodore Flotillas and Commander Deployable Joint Force Headquarters (Maritime) in February 2004.
Thomas was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral
and appointed to the position of Maritime Commander Australia (MCAUST) in July 2005; in 2007 this position was renamed Commander Australian Fleet (COMAUSFLT).
On the 3 August 2007, Rear Admiral Thomas assumed command of the Australian Defence College
, which on 14 January 2008 became Joint Education, Training and Warfare (JETW) Command (which encompasses the Australian Defence College Headquarters, the Australian Defence Force Academy, the Australian Command and Staff College, the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies and the ADF Warfare Centre).
Thomas assumed the duties of Deputy Chief of Navy (DCN) on 6 June 2008. In the Australia Day Honours List of 2009, Thomas was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for his service as Commodore Flotillas, Maritime Commander Australia, Commander Australian Fleet and Commander, Australian Defence College. He relinquished the post of Deputy Chief of the Navy on 18 February 2011 to Rear Admiral Trevor Jones
.
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Rear Admiral
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...
Davyd Rhys Thomas AO, CSC
Conspicuous Service Cross (Australia)
The Conspicuous Service Cross is a decoration of the Australian Honours System. The CSC is awarded only for outstanding devotion to duty, or outstanding achievement in the application of exceptional skills, judgment or dedication, in non-warlike situations...
, RAN
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
(b. 2 May 1956) is a senior officer in the Royal Australian Navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
.
Service history
Davyd Rhys Thomas was born on 2 May 1956 in Newcastle, New South WalesNewcastle, New South Wales
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...
, and joined the Royal Australian Navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
College from that city in 1974. After gaining a Bridge Watchkeeping Certificate in 1978, he served as Executive Officer
Executive officer
An executive officer is generally a person responsible for running an organization, although the exact nature of the role varies depending on the organization.-Administrative law:...
of HMAS Aware
HMAS Aware (P 91)
HMAS Aware was an Attack class patrol boat of the Royal Australian Navy .-Design and construction:The Attack class was ordered in 1964 to operate in Australian waters as patrol boats HMAS Aware (P 91) was an Attack class patrol boat of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).-Design and construction:The...
, a Darwin
Darwin, Northern Territory
Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. Situated on the Timor Sea, Darwin has a population of 127,500, making it by far the largest and most populated city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory, but the least populous of all Australia's capital cities...
based patrol boat.
Thomas was promoted to Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
in 1979, during which time he commenced his warfare training, and served on HMAS Brisbane. A short stint on the staff at the RAN Apprentice Training Establishment, prior to professional warfare specialist training in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, followed in 1983.
Upon his return to Australia, Thomas served as the Operations Officer on HMAS Vampire
HMAS Vampire (D11)
HMAS Vampire was the third of three Australian-built Daring class destroyers serving in the Royal Australian Navy . One of the first all-welded ships built in Australia, she was constructed at Cockatoo Island Dockyard between 1952 and 1959, and was commissioned into the RAN a day after...
, and later on HMAS Perth as Gunnery Officer. He then completed the RAN Staff Course in 1987, and was subsequently employed as the Surface Weapons Trials Officer at the RAN's Test and Evaluation Centre in Sydney.
Thomas was then posted as Executive Officer of HMAS Adelaide
HMAS Adelaide (FFG 01)
HMAS Adelaide was the lead ship of the Adelaide class of guided missile frigates built for the Royal Australian Navy, based on the United States Navy's Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates...
, and participated in the first RAN contingent to the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
in 1990, as part of Operation Desert Shield; he was promoted to Commander in December 1990.
He then served in Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
as the Operations Officer at Fleet Base West. In September 1994, Commander Thomas assumed command of HMAS Darwin
HMAS Darwin (FFG 04)
HMAS Darwin , named for the capital city of the Northern Territory, is an Adelaide class guided-missile frigate of the Royal Australian Navy . One of four ships ordered from the United States, Darwin entered service in 1984. During her career, she has operated in the Persian Gulf, as part of the...
, based on the West Coast.
In the Australia Day
Australia Day
Australia Day is the official national day of Australia...
Honour's List of 1997, Thomas was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross
Conspicuous Service Cross (Australia)
The Conspicuous Service Cross is a decoration of the Australian Honours System. The CSC is awarded only for outstanding devotion to duty, or outstanding achievement in the application of exceptional skills, judgment or dedication, in non-warlike situations...
and was promoted to Captain in July of the same year. March 1999 saw him posted as Director of Naval Officers' Postings, until assuming command of HMAS Newcastle
HMAS Newcastle (FFG 06)
HMAS Newcastle , named for the city of Newcastle, New South Wales, the largest provincial city in Australia, is an Adelaide class guided-missile frigate of the Royal Australian Navy . The last ship of the class to be constructed, Newcastle entered service in 1993...
, in March 2001.
As the Commanding Officer of Newcastle during Operation Slipper
Operation Slipper
Operation Slipper is the Australian Defence Force contribution to the war in Afghanistan. The operation commenced in late 2001 and is ongoing...
in the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
, Captain Thomas conducted maritime interdiction in support of coalition forces enforcing United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
sanctions against Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
. For this he was awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service
Commendation for Distinguished Service
The Commendation for Distinguished Service is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force, it is awarded for the distinguished performance of duties in warlike operations. The Commendation for Distinguished Service was introduced in 1991 and replaced the Imperial...
in June 2003.Citation: For distinguished performance of duty as the Commanding Officer, HMAS NEWCASTLE, in the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
during Operation SLIPPER.
He was promoted to the rank of Commodore
Commodore (rank)
Commodore is a military rank used in many navies that is superior to a navy captain, but below a rear admiral. Non-English-speaking nations often use the rank of flotilla admiral or counter admiral as an equivalent .It is often regarded as a one-star rank with a NATO code of OF-6, but is not always...
and made a Member of the Order of Australia in mid 2002 for "exceptional service to the Royal Australian Navy".Citation: For exceptional service to the Royal Australian Navy as a senior Naval Officer through personal commitment and dedication to professional excellence. He later assumed the position of Commodore Flotillas and Commander Deployable Joint Force Headquarters (Maritime) in February 2004.
Thomas was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral
Rear Admiral
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...
and appointed to the position of Maritime Commander Australia (MCAUST) in July 2005; in 2007 this position was renamed Commander Australian Fleet (COMAUSFLT).
On the 3 August 2007, Rear Admiral Thomas assumed command of the Australian Defence College
Australian Defence College
The Australian Defence College comprises three tri-service educational organisations operated by the Australian Defence Force in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory:* the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies ,...
, which on 14 January 2008 became Joint Education, Training and Warfare (JETW) Command (which encompasses the Australian Defence College Headquarters, the Australian Defence Force Academy, the Australian Command and Staff College, the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies and the ADF Warfare Centre).
Thomas assumed the duties of Deputy Chief of Navy (DCN) on 6 June 2008. In the Australia Day Honours List of 2009, Thomas was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for his service as Commodore Flotillas, Maritime Commander Australia, Commander Australian Fleet and Commander, Australian Defence College. He relinquished the post of Deputy Chief of the Navy on 18 February 2011 to Rear Admiral Trevor Jones
Trevor Jones (admiral)
Rear Admiral Trevor Norman Jones AM, CSC, RAN is the current Deputy Chief of Navy of the Royal Australian Navy.-Service history:Rear Admiral Trevor Jones, AM, CSC, RAN joined the Royal Australian Navy in January 1978 under the Navy scholarship scheme to pursue a Seaman Officer Career...
.
Honours and awards
| Ribbon | Description | Notes |
| |
Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) | Australia Day Honours List 2009 |
| Member of the Order of Australia (AM) | Queen's Birthday Honours List 2002 | |
| |
Conspicuous Service Cross Conspicuous Service Cross (Australia) The Conspicuous Service Cross is a decoration of the Australian Honours System. The CSC is awarded only for outstanding devotion to duty, or outstanding achievement in the application of exceptional skills, judgment or dedication, in non-warlike situations... (CSC) |
Australia Day Honours List 1997 |
| |
Commendation for Distinguished Service Commendation for Distinguished Service The Commendation for Distinguished Service is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force, it is awarded for the distinguished performance of duties in warlike operations. The Commendation for Distinguished Service was introduced in 1991 and replaced the Imperial... |
Queen's Birthday Honours List 2003 |
| |
Australian Active Service Medal Australian Active Service Medal The Australian Active Service Medal is an Australian military decoration. It was authorised 13 September 1988 to recognise prescribed service in warlike operations... |
with ICAT and IRAQ 2003 clasps |
| |
Afghanistan Medal Afghanistan Medal (Australia) The Afghanistan Medal was instituted by Queen Elizabeth II on the advice of the Australian Prime Minister John Howard in 2004. The Afghanistan Medal is awarded to Australian defence force personnel who served in or around Afghanistan after 11 October 2001... |
|
| |
Australian Service Medal Australian Service Medal The Australian Service Medal is an Australian military decoration. It was authorized 13 September 1988 to recognise prescribed service in peacekeeping and non-warlike operations. It is awarded with a clasp to denote the prescribed operation and subsequent awards of the medal are made in the form of... |
with KUWAIT clasp |
| |
Defence Force Service Medal Defence Force Service Medal The Defence Force Service Medal is an Australian Military award given for long service by permanent members of the Australian Defence Force... with 4 clasps |
35 years service |
| |
Australian Defence Medal Australian Defence Medal The Australian Defence Medal is an Australian military decoration which recognises current and former Australian Defence Force personnel who completed an initial enlistment period, or four years service... |
