- Author
- A.N. Other and NHSA Webmaster
- Subjects
- Biographies and personal histories
- Tags
-
- RAN Ships
- None noted.
- Publication
- December 2001 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
REAR ADMIRAL Gordon John Branstone CRABB, DSC
• Born London 5 July 1917, of Commander & Mrs S.G. Crabb
• Entered RANC, Flinders Naval Depot 1932
• Awarded Kings Medal on passing out 1935 (first year to complete all training at FND)
• Promoted Midshipman 1 Mar 1936
• HMAS Canberra 1936-37
• HMS Barham (battleship )1937-39
• Promoted Sub Lieutenant Nov 1938
• HMAS Sydney 1939-41 (and present during action/sinking of Italian cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni
• Promoted Lieutenant Feb 1940
• HMS EXCELLENT Whale Island, Portsmouth UK – Long Gunnery Course
• Returned to Australia Mar 1942, and posted to Gunnery School at FND
• HMAS Arunta 1943-44 – First Lieutenant
• HMS Rotherham (destroyer) 1944 at Gunnery Officer & Flotilla duties
• HMAS Napier 1944-45 (Same capacity as in Rotherham)
• Awarded DSC Jun 1946
• British Landing Force, Yokosuka 1945
• 1947-49 Exchange service with RN. Lieutenant Commander
• 1951 Promoted Commander – Executive Officer HMAS Albatross, Nowra
• 1954-55 CO HMAS Anzac
• 1955 Joint Planning Staff
• 1957 Promoted Captain. CO HMAS Voyager on commissioning, 1957-59
• 1959-61 Assistant Head Joint Ser vices Staff London
• 1961 Navy Office – Deputy Chief of Naval Personnel
• 1964 Imperial Defence College London
• 1964-65 CO HMAS Sydney (including first deployment of 1RAR to Vung Tau, Vietnam)
• 1966 Promoted Rear Admiral. Defence Attache, Washington, USA
• 1967 Created Commander in the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
• 1968-70 Flag Officer Commanding HM Australian Fleet
• 1970-71 Flag Officer Commanding East Australia Area
• 1972-73 Second Naval Member and Chief of Naval Supply and Works, Navy Office, Canberra
On retirement he joined Philips Industries as a consultant.