John Sanderson
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant General
John Murray Sanderson AC
(born 4 November 1940) is a former Governor
of Western Australia
and a former Chief of the Australian Army.
, Western Australia
on 4 November 1940, John Sanderson completed his secondary education at Bunbury
High School in 1957 before entering the Royal Military College, Duntroon
in 1958. He graduated in 1961 and was commissioned into the Royal Australian Engineers
in December 1961.
, John Sanderson had a series of regimental postings. These included second in command of 10 Field Squadron and Troop Commander and Construction Officer of 21 Construction Squadron on operational service in Sabah
, Malaysia. He was promoted to Captain in 1965.
Following eighteen months as a Staff Officer in the Office of the Engineer in Chief, he was posted as the Exchange Instructor at the Royal School of Military Engineering
, Chatterden UK from 1967–1969. He returned to Australia to command 23 Construction Squadron at Holsworthy
prior to taking up command of 17 Construction Squadron in South Vietnam
at the end of 1970.
Returning to Australia in late 1971, he was the Senior Instructor at the School of Military Engineering throughout 1972 before attending the Army Command and Staff College at Fort Queenscliff
during 1973.
Sanderson was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel
in 1975 after serving for a short period as a Staff Officer at the Headquarters of Field Force Command. His initial appointment as Staff Officer Grade 1 at the Directorate of Engineers was followed by two years (1976–1978) as the Exchange Instructor at the British Army Staff College, Camberley
.
He commanded the 1st Field Engineer Regiment from 1979–1980, and then attended the Joint Services Command and Staff College
in 1981. Sanderson was appointed as the Military Assistant to the Chief of the General Staff in late 1981, serving in that capacity until being promoted to Colonel as Director of Army Plans in 1983.
From June 1985 to the middle of 1986 he attended the U.S. Army War College
, returning to Australia with the rank of Brigadier
. After a six month period as Chairman of the Army Reserve Review Committee, he assumed command of the 1st Brigade at Holsworthy.
Sanderson served as Chief of Staff Land Command for a brief period in 1989 and was then promoted to Major General
and appointed as Assistant Chief of Defence Policy. In this role he was tasked to develop and carry out major reforms to the Higher ADF
Staff, which resulted in him becoming the first Assistant Chief of Defence Force Development at the end of 1989.
From October 1991, Sanderson became engaged directly in the United Nations
process to bring peace to Cambodia
, first as adviser to the Secretary General of the United Nations, and then from March 1992, in the rank of Lieutenant General
as the Commander of the 16,000 strong international military component of the United Nations
Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC).
After the successful completion of the UN mission in October 1993, Sanderson returned to Australia to be appointed as the first Commander Joint Forces Australia (now CJOPS), and developed this role until becoming Chief of the General Staff in June 1995. This position was renamed to Chief of Army in 1997, and Sanderson continued in this position until his retirement from the army on 23 June 1998.
.
Sanderson retired as Governor of Western Australia in June 2005 after his term of office expired, but agreed to stay on until 31 October 2005 to assist with the transition to the new Governor. His successor was Dr Ken Michael
who was sworn in on 18 January 2006.
has been recognised by the award of Member of the Order of Australia(1985), Officer of the Order (1991) and Companion of the Order (1994). He was also awarded the Centenary Medal
in 2001. General Sanderson has also been recognised by the United States of America
for his service to the region and the alliance by the award of the Legion of Merit
Commander Class.
In July 2008, General Sanderson was selected as one of the inaugural fellows of the Australian Institute of International Affairs
to highlight his very high level of distinction in and distinguished contribution to Australia's international affairs.
Ribbon bars of John Sanderson
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Lieutenant General (Australia)
Lieutenant general is the second-highest active rank of the Australian Army and was created as a direct equivalent of the British military rank of lieutenant general. It is also considered a three-star rank....
John Murray Sanderson AC
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(born 4 November 1940) is a former Governor
Governor of Western Australia
The Governor of Western Australia is the representative in Western Australia of Australia's Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. The Governor performs important constitutional, ceremonial and community functions, including:* presiding over the Executive Council;...
of 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...
and a former Chief of the Australian Army.
Early life
Born in GeraldtonGeraldton, Western Australia
Geraldton is a city and port in Western Australia located north of Perth in the Mid West region. Geraldton has an estimated population at June 2010 of 36,958...
, 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...
on 4 November 1940, John Sanderson completed his secondary education at Bunbury
Bunbury, Western Australia
The port city of Bunbury is the third largest city in Western Australia after the State Capital Perth and Mandurah. It is situated south of Perth's central business district...
High School in 1957 before entering the Royal Military College, Duntroon
Royal Military College, Duntroon
The Royal Military College, Duntroon is the Australian Army's officer training establishment. It was founded at Duntroon, in the Australian Capital Territory, in 1911 and is situated on picturesque grounds at the foot of Mount Pleasant near Lake Burley Griffin, close to the Department of Defence...
in 1958. He graduated in 1961 and was commissioned into the Royal Australian Engineers
Royal Australian Engineers
The Royal Australian Engineers is a corps of the Australian Army . The RAE is ranked fourth in seniority of the corps of the Australian Army, behind the Staff Cadets, Armoured and Artillery Corps...
in December 1961.
Service history
After completing a Fellowship Diploma in Civil Engineering at the Royal Melbourne Institute of TechnologyRMIT University
RMIT University is an Australian public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. It has two branches, referred to as RMIT University in Australia and RMIT International University in Vietnam....
, John Sanderson had a series of regimental postings. These included second in command of 10 Field Squadron and Troop Commander and Construction Officer of 21 Construction Squadron on operational service in Sabah
Sabah
Sabah is one of 13 member states of Malaysia. It is located on the northern portion of the island of Borneo. It is the second largest state in the country after Sarawak, which it borders on its southwest. It also shares a border with the province of East Kalimantan of Indonesia in the south...
, Malaysia. He was promoted to Captain in 1965.
Following eighteen months as a Staff Officer in the Office of the Engineer in Chief, he was posted as the Exchange Instructor at the Royal School of Military Engineering
Royal School of Military Engineering
The Royal School of Military Engineering is the main training establishment for the British Army's Royal Engineers. After they have successfully completed their Phase 1 - Basic Soldier Training, members of the Corps of Royal Engineers attend 3 RSME, at Minley for Phase 2a - Combat Engineering...
, Chatterden UK from 1967–1969. He returned to Australia to command 23 Construction Squadron at Holsworthy
Holsworthy Barracks
Holsworthy Barracks is located in the outer south-western Sydney suburb of Holsworthy. It is part of the Holsworthy military reserve, which has been a training area and artillery range for the Australian Army since World War I. Following World War II it became a major base for the permanent...
prior to taking up command of 17 Construction Squadron in South Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
at the end of 1970.
Returning to Australia in late 1971, he was the Senior Instructor at the School of Military Engineering throughout 1972 before attending the Army Command and Staff College at Fort Queenscliff
Fort Queenscliff
Fort Queenscliff, in Victoria, Australia, dates from 1860 when an open battery was constructed on Shortland's Bluff to defend the entrance to Port Phillip. The Fort, which underwent major redevelopment in the late 1870s and 1880s, became the headquarters for an extensive chain of forts around Port...
during 1973.
Sanderson was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
in 1975 after serving for a short period as a Staff Officer at the Headquarters of Field Force Command. His initial appointment as Staff Officer Grade 1 at the Directorate of Engineers was followed by two years (1976–1978) as the Exchange Instructor at the British Army Staff College, Camberley
Staff College, Camberley
Staff College, Camberley, Surrey, was a staff college for the British Army from 1802 to 1997, with periods of closure during major wars. In 1997 it was merged into the new Joint Services Command and Staff College.-Origins:...
.
He commanded the 1st Field Engineer Regiment from 1979–1980, and then attended the Joint Services Command and Staff College
Joint Services Command and Staff College
Joint Services Command and Staff College is a British military academic establishment providing training and education to experienced officers of the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence Civil Service, and serving officers of other states.-History:JSCSC combined the single...
in 1981. Sanderson was appointed as the Military Assistant to the Chief of the General Staff in late 1981, serving in that capacity until being promoted to Colonel as Director of Army Plans in 1983.
From June 1985 to the middle of 1986 he attended the U.S. Army War College
U.S. Army War College
The United States Army War College is a United States Army school located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, on the 500 acre campus of the historic Carlisle Barracks...
, returning to Australia with the rank of Brigadier
Brigadier
Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
. After a six month period as Chairman of the Army Reserve Review Committee, he assumed command of the 1st Brigade at Holsworthy.
Sanderson served as Chief of Staff Land Command for a brief period in 1989 and was then promoted to Major General
Major General (Australia)
Major General is a senior rank of the Australian Army, and was created as a direct equivalent of the British military rank of Major General. It is the third-highest active rank of the Australian Army, and is considered to be equivalent to a two-star rank...
and appointed as Assistant Chief of Defence Policy. In this role he was tasked to develop and carry out major reforms to the Higher ADF
Australian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
Staff, which resulted in him becoming the first Assistant Chief of Defence Force Development at the end of 1989.
From October 1991, Sanderson became engaged directly in the 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...
process to bring peace to Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
, first as adviser to the Secretary General of the United Nations, and then from March 1992, in the rank of Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General (Australia)
Lieutenant general is the second-highest active rank of the Australian Army and was created as a direct equivalent of the British military rank of lieutenant general. It is also considered a three-star rank....
as the Commander of the 16,000 strong international military component of the 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...
Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC).
After the successful completion of the UN mission in October 1993, Sanderson returned to Australia to be appointed as the first Commander Joint Forces Australia (now CJOPS), and developed this role until becoming Chief of the General Staff in June 1995. This position was renamed to Chief of Army in 1997, and Sanderson continued in this position until his retirement from the army on 23 June 1998.
Governor of Western Australia
On 18 August 2000 John Sanderson was sworn in as 29th Governor of Western AustraliaWestern 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...
.
Sanderson retired as Governor of Western Australia in June 2005 after his term of office expired, but agreed to stay on until 31 October 2005 to assist with the transition to the new Governor. His successor was Dr Ken Michael
Ken Michael
Kenneth Comninos Michael, AC was the 32nd Governor of Western Australia, succeeding Lieutenant-General John Sanderson.His vice-regal appointment was announced on 6 June 2005 by the then Premier Geoff Gallop and he was sworn in at Government House, Perth on 18 January 2006 by the Chief Justice of...
who was sworn in on 18 January 2006.
Honours
Over time General Sanderson's service to AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
has been recognised by the award of Member of the Order of Australia(1985), Officer of the Order (1991) and Companion of the Order (1994). He was also awarded the Centenary Medal
Centenary Medal
The Centenary Medal is an award created by the Australian Government in 2001. It was established to commemorate the Centenary of Federation of Australia and to honour people who have made a contribution to Australian society or government...
in 2001. General Sanderson has also been recognised by the United States of America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
for his service to the region and the alliance by the award of the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
Commander Class.
In July 2008, General Sanderson was selected as one of the inaugural fellows of the Australian Institute of International Affairs
Australian Institute of International Affairs
The Australian Institute of International Affairs is a non-profit think tank based in Australia. Established in 1924 and formed as a national body in 1933, the organisation endeavours to promote interest in and understanding of international affairs...
to highlight his very high level of distinction in and distinguished contribution to Australia's international affairs.
External links
- Swearing In Ceremony – Address in Reply (John Sanderson), Governor of Western Australia
- Portrait, 1989-04-18, Major General John Sanderson, Assistant Chief of Defence Force Policy. (Copyright, Australian War Memorial)
- Timeline, Lieutenant General John Murray Sanderson, AC. (Copyright, Australian War Memorial)