Barrie West

Rear Admiral Barrie Lawson West, AO (born 11 January 1934) is a retired senior supply officer in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).^[1]

Barrie Lawson West
Born	(1934-01-11) 11 January 1934 (age 91) Christchurch, New Zealand
Allegiance	Australia
Branch	Royal Australian Navy
Years of service	1952–1989
Rank	Rear Admiral
Battles / wars	Korean War Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation
Awards	Officer of the Order of Australia

Naval career

West joined the RAN as a midshipman in 1952. He trained in Australia and the United Kingdom, then served in the Korean War and the Malaysian Confrontation.^[2]

In 1968, he became an exchange officer with the United States Navy for three years.

On his return to Australia, West spent 12 years in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, at the Navy Headquarters, including postings as:

• Secretary to the Chief of Naval Staff (as a captain)
• Deputy Chief of Naval Materiel (as commodore)^[2]

In 1984, West undertook studies at the Royal College of Defence Studies at Belgravia, London.^[2]

West was promoted to rear admiral on 10 May 1985 and appointed as Chief of Naval Materiel, on the retirement of Rear Admiral Bill Rourke.^[2] He retired from the Royal Australian Navy in 1989.

Awards

West was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (Military Division) in the 1988 Australia Day Honours for services to the navy as Chief of Naval Materiel.^[3] He is also entitled to wear the National Medal with clasp.^[3]