Major General Geoff Carter passed away in Canberra on July 30th, 2001. Geoff had entered the Royal Military College from Queensland. He graduated from there in 1962 and was commissioned into the Royal Australian Artillery. Geoff’s initial service was with the Air Defence Branch. He first joined 11th Light Antiaircraft Battery, serving with that battery during the Confrontation in Malaysia in 1964/65. After a time with the Army Guided Weapons Trials Unit at Woomera, he completed the Long Gunnery Staff Course (Air Defence) in the UK and went on to be a Troop Commander with the Royal Artillery’s 12th Light Air Defence Regiment in Germany.
In 1969 Geoff began working with the Rapier project in the UK, and in 1971 returned to Australia to become the Senior Instructor (SI) Air Defence Wing at North Head. 1972 saw him posted to South Vietnam where he served with the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV), for which service he was awarded the US Silver Star, and later, the Distinguished Service Medal. He returned to the School of Artillery in 1973. His final postings as a Major were as a student at Staff College, and then as Chief Instructor on the New Zealand School of Artillery, Waiouru.
On promotion, Geoff spent three years as the project manager for the introduction of Rapier. Joint Services Staff College (JSSC) followed, and then command of 16th Air Defence Regiment. For distinguished service, he was awarded an AM. In 1983/84 he was the Exchange Officer with the United States Training and Doctrine Command. He was promoted to Colonel upon his return to Australia, to the position of Colonel Doctrine in Headquarters Training Command.
After two years at Training Command, Geoff became the Director General of Army Development and was promoted to Brigadier. Postings as Chief of Staff, Land Headquarters and Director General Land Warfare Policy in Army Headquarters followed. In November 1992, Geoff was promoted to Major General to assume the position of Deputy Chief of the General Staff. In recognition of his service to the Army, Geoff was made an Officer in the Order of Australia. His final appointment before retirement in 1997 was as Australia’s Defence Attaché to Southern Europe. After retirement Geoff worked in Canberra as a military consultant with British Aerospace. He was National President of the AATTV Association.
Geoff is survived by his widow Kaye and stepson Haydon, his form wife Janet, and his daughters Catherine and Felicity. A son, David, predeceased him.
His funeral service was held at St Christopher’s Cathedral, Forrest to a packed congregation. The Eulogy was given by his Excellency Major General Peter Arnison, AC, Governor of Queensland (an RMC classmate of Geoff). The Pall Bearers were: General Sir Phillip Bennett, AC, KBE, DSO (Retd); His excellency Major General P.M. Arnison, AC; General J.S. Baker, AC, DSM; Lieutenant General F.J. Hickling, AO, CSC; Major General W.J. Crews, AO; Major General D.B. Ferguson, AM, CSC, (Retd); Major General A.J. Fittock, AO, (Retd); Major General S.N. Gower, AO (Retd); Major General J.P. Stevens, AO and Brigadier F. Pfitzner, AM (Retd). The Bearer Party consisted of WO1 of the RAA and the Guard of Honour was provided by Officers and Soldiers of the 16th Air Defence Regiment. The Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Peter Cosgrove, AC, MC attended with Mrs Carter. Many other distinguished members were in attendance including, Admiral Barrie, Lieutenant General Mueller and Major Generals Roberts, Jeffries, Cape and Whitelaw. |
