| Alan Leslie Morrison | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | "Alby" |
| Born | 15 August 1927 Sydney, New South Wales |
| Died | 9 May 2008 (aged 80) Canberra, Australian Capital Territory |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Service/branch | Australian Army |
| Years of service | 1945–1981 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Unit | 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment 66th Battalion |
| Commands held | Royal Military College, Duntroon 1st Brigade 9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Korean War Vietnam War |
| Awards | Officer of the Order of Australia Distinguished Service Order Member of the Order of the British Empire |
Major General Alan Leslie "Alby" Morrison AO, DSO, MBE (15 August 1927 – 9 May 2008) was a senior officer in the Australian Army.
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He was born on 15 August 1927, in Sydney, Australia the middle son of John and Eileen Morrison. Initially from Haberfield, the family moved to Bronte and Alan particiapted in body surfing at Bronte beach and played rugby union. He went to school at Waverley College and completed his education in 1944. He joined the army and he graduated from Royal Military College Duntroon in December 1947 as an infantry officer.[1]
After graduating from Duntroon in 1947, he was posted in 1948 to Japan to join the 66th Battalion, 34th Brigade as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force.[1] The battalion was renamed the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment on 23 November 1948 and he returned to Australia with the battalion in December 1948.
When Australia committed the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment as Australia's main land force contribution to the United Nations forces in the Korean War, Morrison volunteered and was posted to the unit as a platoon commander. The battalion arrived in South Korea in late September 1950.[1] The 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment was part of the 27th Commonwealth Brigade and took part in the United Nations offensive into North Korea and the subsequent retreat into South Korea following the Chinese offensive in the winter of 1950–1951. He suffered a serious eye injury and was evacuated and hospitalised. After recovering, Morrison worked in the British Commonwealth Occupation Force headquarters in Japan and then the 28th Commonwealth Brigade's headquarters until he returned to Australia in 1953.[1] Morrison was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his "outstanding contribution to successful intergration of all units" while a part of the staff headquarters in Korea.[2][3]
After returning to Australia he was posted to Cairns as adjutant to the 51st Battalion, Far North Queensland Regiment. While based in Cairns he met Margaret and they married on 18 December 1954 and they had a son David shortly afterwards.[1] In 1956 he was an instructor at Duntroon, later his daughter Jenny was born and the became a student at the British Army Staff College, Surrey, England. He later spent two years on the military staff at Australia House, London. Returning to Australia he became the Operations Officer of 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment and later as second-in-command before being promoted to lieutenant colonel.[1]
He was then posted as an instructor to the Australian Army Staff College for a period of two years. Later Morrision was posted as the commanding officer of the 9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment at Keswick Barracks, Adelaide, South Australia on 13 November 1967 and was tasked with raising the new battalion. He was the commanding officer of the battalion during its tour of duty during the Vietnam War between 1968–1969 and until 14 January 1970.[1] Morrison was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his "gallant services" as a battalion commander in Vietnam.[4] He was posted as a Military Assistant to the Chief of the General Staff, later being promoted to Colonel on the Army Headquarters staff. Alan was promoted in 1974 to Brigadier and attended the Royal College of Defence Studies, England. After completing his studies he was upon his return to Australia appointed Commander of the 1st Brigade at Holsworthy.[1] He was later promoted to Major General and posted to Duntroon as the Commandant, and later as Chief of Personnel before Alan retired on 10 August 1981 after 36 years service. Alan was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia for his services to the Australian Army.
After leaving the army he founded the RAR Association and became the inaugural Chairman. He was also active as the Services Member of the Repatriation Commission until 1989. He afterwards became Deputy Chairman of the Calvary Hospital, Canberra until 1997. He died on the 9 May 2008 and was survived by his wife and two children.[1]