# Davyd Thomas > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Davyd_Thomas > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Davyd_Thomas.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davyd_Thomas > Source revision: 1351686527 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|Australian Navy officer (born 1956)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Use Australian English|date=May 2013}} {{Infobox military person |name= Davyd Rhys Thomas |image= |image_size= |alt= |caption= |nickname= |birth_date= {{Birth date and age|1956|05|02|df=yes}} |birth_place= [Newcastle, New South Wales](/source/Newcastle%2C_New_South_Wales) |death_date= |death_place= |burial_place= |allegiance= Australia |branch= [Royal Australian Navy](/source/Royal_Australian_Navy) (1974–2011) |service_years= 1974–2011 |rank= [Rear Admiral](/source/Rear_admiral_(Australia)) |unit= |commands= [Deputy Chief of Navy](/source/Deputy_Chief_of_Navy_(Australia)) (2008–11)
[Australian Defence College](/source/Australian_Defence_College) (2007–08)
{{nowrap|[Commander Australian Fleet](/source/Commander_Australian_Fleet) (2005–07)}}
Commodore Flotillas (2004–05)
{{HMAS|Newcastle|FFG 06|6}} (2001–02)
{{HMAS|Darwin|FFG 04|6}} (1994–96) |battles= {{tree list}} * [Gulf War](/source/Gulf_War) ** [Operation Desert Shield](/source/Operation_Desert_Shield) * [War in Afghanistan](/source/War_in_Afghanistan_(2001%E2%80%932021)) ** [Operation Slipper](/source/Operation_Slipper) {{tree list/end}} |awards= [Officer of the Order of Australia](/source/Officer_of_the_Order_of_Australia)
[Conspicuous Service Cross](/source/Conspicuous_Service_Cross_(Australia))
[Commendation for Distinguished Service](/source/Commendation_for_Distinguished_Service) |other_work= President of the [Australian Naval Institute](/source/Australian_Naval_Institute) (2008–11)
Member of the [ANZAC Centenary Advisory Board](/source/ANZAC_Centenary_Advisory_Board) (2011–present)
Vice President of [Austal](/source/Austal) (2012–present) }} [Rear Admiral](/source/Rear_admiral_(Australia)) '''Davyd Rhys Thomas''', {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100%|sep=,|AO|CSC}} (born 2 May 1956) is a retired senior officer in the [Royal Australian Navy](/source/Royal_Australian_Navy). ==Naval career== Davyd Rhys Thomas was born on 2 May 1956 in [Newcastle, New South Wales](/source/Newcastle%2C_New_South_Wales),{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.gov.au/Davyd_Rhys_Thomas |title=Davyd Rhys Thomas |accessdate=23 March 2011 |work=RAN Admirals |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110330064854/http://www.navy.gov.au/Davyd_Rhys_Thomas |archivedate=30 March 2011 }} and joined the [Royal Australian Navy](/source/Royal_Australian_Navy) College from that city in 1974. After gaining a Bridge Watchkeeping Certificate in 1978, he served as [executive officer](/source/executive_officer) of [HMAS ''Aware''](/source/HMAS_Aware_(P_91)), a [Darwin](/source/Darwin%2C_Northern_Territory)-based patrol boat. Thomas was promoted to [lieutenant](/source/lieutenant) in 1979, during which time he commenced his warfare training, and served on [HMAS ''Brisbane''](/source/HMAS_Brisbane_(D_41)). A short stint on the staff at the RAN Apprentice Training Establishment, prior to professional warfare specialist training in the [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom), followed in 1983. Upon his return to Australia, Thomas served as the operations officer on [HMAS ''Vampire''](/source/HMAS_Vampire_(D11)), and later on [HMAS ''Perth''](/source/HMAS_Perth_(D_38)) 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''](/source/HMAS_Adelaide_(FFG_01)), and participated in the first RAN contingent to the [Persian Gulf](/source/Persian_Gulf) in 1990, as part of [Operation Desert Shield](/source/Gulf_War); he was promoted to commander in December 1990. He then served in [Western Australia](/source/Western_Australia) as the operations officer at [Fleet Base West](/source/Fleet_Base_West). In September 1994, Thomas assumed command of [HMAS ''Darwin''](/source/HMAS_Darwin_(FFG_04)), based on the West Coast. In the [Australia Day](/source/Australia_Day) Honour's List of 1997, Thomas was awarded the [Conspicuous Service Cross](/source/Conspicuous_Service_Cross_(Australia))[https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/967218 It's an Honour] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303203327/http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=967218&search_type=quick&showInd=true |date=3 March 2016 }} – Conspicuous Service Cross – 26 January 1997 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''](/source/HMAS_Newcastle_(FFG_06)) in March 2001. As the commanding officer of ''Newcastle'' during [Operation Slipper](/source/Operation_Slipper) in the [Persian Gulf](/source/Persian_Gulf), Thomas conducted maritime interdiction in support of coalition forces enforcing [United Nations](/source/United_Nations) sanctions against [Iraq](/source/Iraq). For this he was awarded a [Commendation for Distinguished Service](/source/Commendation_for_Distinguished_Service) in June 2003.[https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1043195 It's an Honour] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303171952/http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1043195&search_type=quick&showInd=true |date=3 March 2016 }} – Commendation for Distinguished Service – 9 June 2003
Citation: ''For distinguished performance of duty as the Commanding Officer, HMAS NEWCASTLE, in the [Persian Gulf](/source/Persian_Gulf) during Operation SLIPPER.'' He was promoted to the rank of [commodore](/source/Commodore_(rank)) and made a [Member of the Order of Australia](/source/Member_of_the_Order_of_Australia) in mid-2002 for "exceptional service to the Royal Australian Navy".[https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1040578 It's an Honour] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303204514/http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1040578&search_type=quick&showInd=true |date=3 March 2016 }} – Member of the Order of Australia – 10 June 2002
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 [rear admiral](/source/rear_admiral) and appointed to the position of Maritime Commander Australia (MCAUST) in July 2005; in 2007 this position was renamed [Commander Australian Fleet](/source/Commander_Australian_Fleet) (COMAUSFLT). On 3 August 2007, Thomas assumed command of the [Australian Defence College](/source/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).{{Cite web |url=http://www.gold.gov.au/osearch.php?ou%3DJoint%20Education%5C%2C%20Training%20and%20Warfare%20Command%2Cou%3DVice%20Chief%20of%20the%20Defence%20Force%2Cou%3DDepartment%20of%20Defence%2Co%3DDefence%2Co%3DPortfolios%2Co%3DCommonwealth%20of%20Australia%2Cc%3DAU&changebase |title=JETW Command |access-date=15 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211191444/http://www.gold.gov.au/osearch.php?ou=Joint%20Education%5C,%20Training%20and%20Warfare%20Command,ou=Vice%20Chief%20of%20the%20Defence%20Force,ou=Department%20of%20Defence,o=Defence,o=Portfolios,o=Commonwealth%20of%20Australia,c=AU&changebase |archive-date=11 February 2012 |url-status=dead }}[http://www.defence.gov.au/ADC/docs/ADC/History%20of%20the%20ADC.pdf History of the ADC] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080807074016/http://www.defence.gov.au/adc/docs/ADC/History%20of%20the%20ADC.pdf |date=7 August 2008 }} Thomas assumed the duties of [Deputy Chief of Navy](/source/Deputy_Chief_of_Navy_(Australia)) (DCN) on 6 June 2008. In the Australia Day Honours List of 2009, Thomas was appointed an [Officer of the Order of Australia](/source/Officer_of_the_Order_of_Australia) for his service as Commodore Flotillas, Maritime Commander Australia, Commander Australian Fleet and Commander, Australian Defence College.[https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1139669 It's an Honour] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303201214/http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1139669&search_type=advanced&showInd=true |date=3 March 2016 }} – Officer of the Order of Australia – 26 January 2009 He relinquished the post of DCN on 18 February 2011 to Rear Admiral [Trevor Jones](/source/Trevor_Jones_(admiral)).{{cite web|url=http://www.defence.gov.au/leaders/navy/trevorJones/index.htm|title=Deputy Chief of Navy|accessdate=23 March 2011|work=Defence Leaders|publisher=Department of Defence}} ==Honours and awards== {| style="margin:1em auto;" | 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px |} {| class="wikitable" |- |style="background:silver;" align="center"|Ribbon ||style="background:silver;" align="center"|Description ||style="background:silver;" align="center"|Notes |- |rowspan=2|50px || | [Officer of the Order of Australia](/source/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 |- |50px || [Conspicuous Service Cross](/source/Conspicuous_Service_Cross_(Australia)) (CSC)|| Australia Day Honours List 1997 |- |50px || [Commendation for Distinguished Service](/source/Commendation_for_Distinguished_Service) || Queen's Birthday Honours List 2003 |- |50px || [Australian Active Service Medal](/source/Australian_Active_Service_Medal) || with [ICAT](/source/Australian_Active_Service_Medal) and [IRAQ 2003](/source/Australian_Active_Service_Medal) clasps |- |50px || [Afghanistan Medal](/source/Afghanistan_Medal_(Australia)) || |- |50px || [Australian Service Medal](/source/Australian_Service_Medal) || with [KUWAIT](/source/Australian_Service_Medal) clasp |- |50px || [Defence Force Service Medal](/source/Defence_Force_Service_Medal) with [Federation Star](/source/Federation_Star) || 40 plus years service |- |50px || [Australian Defence Medal](/source/Australian_Defence_Medal) || |} ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== *[http://www.defence.gov.au/leaders/navy/davydThomas/index.htm Official Biography] *[http://www.defence.gov.au/leaders/navy/davydThomas/images/20080707ran8114832_001_drn_lo.jpg Official photo] ([http://www.defence.gov.au/copyright.cfm copyright]) {{s-start}} {{s-mil}} {{succession box | title=[Deputy Chief of Navy](/source/Deputy_Chief_of_Navy_(Australia)) | before=Rear Admiral [Russ Crane](/source/Russ_Crane) | after=Rear Admiral [Trevor Jones](/source/Trevor_Jones_(admiral)) | years=2008–2011 | }} {{succession box | title=[Commander Joint Education, Training and Warfare](/source/Australian_Defence_College) | before=New position
Replaces Commander Australian Defence College | after=Rear Admiral [James Goldrick](/source/James_Goldrick) | years=January – May 2008 | }} {{succession box | title=[Commander Australian Defence College](/source/Australian_Defence_College) | before=Brigadier [Brian Dawson](/source/Brian_Dawson_(general)) (acting) | after=None
Replaced by Commander Joint Education, Training and Warfare | years=2007–2008 | }} {{succession box | title=[Commander Australian Fleet](/source/Commander_Australian_Fleet) | before=New position
Replaces Maritime Commander Australia | after=Rear Admiral [Nigel Coates](/source/Nigel_Coates_(admiral)) | years=2007 | }} {{succession box | title=[Maritime Commander Australia](/source/Commander_Australian_Fleet) | before=Rear Admiral [Rowan Moffitt](/source/Rowan_Moffitt) | after=None
Replaced by Commander Australian Fleet | years=2005–2007 | }} {{s-end}} {{Fleet Commander of the Royal Australian Navy}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Thomas, Davyd}} Category:1956 births Category:Military personnel from New South Wales Category:Australian military personnel of the Gulf War Category:Australian military personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Category:Commanders Australian Fleet Category:Deputy chiefs of Navy (Australia) Category:Living people Category:Officers of the Order of Australia Category:People from Newcastle, New South Wales Category:Recipients of the Commendation for Distinguished Service Category:Recipients of the Conspicuous Service Cross (Australia) Category:Royal Australian Navy admirals --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Davyd Thomas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davyd_Thomas) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davyd_Thomas?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.