Rear Admiral John Davidson AO Royal Australian Navy

John Davidson was born on 20 August 1924 in Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia and joined the RN as a Cadet in 1943. He trained as a Supply Officer and saw service in RN ships in the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea and in Southeast Asia.While on exchange service with the RAN, during 1951-54, he served on the staff of FOCAF at sea in HMAS Sydney and HMAS Australia. In April 1956 Davidson transferred to the RAN. Promoted Commander in 1960, he was Secretary to the Chief of Naval Technical Services, FOCAF, FOICEA and then CNS. After promotion to Captain and a series of senioir Supply appointments, he attended the IDC and was promoted Commodore in 1975, serving as Chief of Naval Supply and Works and then Director General Logistics – Navy before promotion to Rear Admiral in 1977 and posting as Flag Officer Commanding East Australia Area. His final appointment was as Head of the Australian Defence Staff in Washington DC, also accredited as Australian Defence Representative – Canada . He retired in 1982