Allan du Toit | |
---|---|
Born | Durban, South Africa |
Allegiance | South Africa (1975–87) Australia (1987–2016) |
Service/ | South African Navy (1975–87) Royal Australian Navy (1987–2016) |
Years of service | 1975–2016 |
Rank | Rear Admiral |
Commands held | Head of Navy Capability (2012) Head Navy People and Reputation (2010–12) Border Protection Command (2008–10) Combined Task Force 158 (2007–08) HMAS Tobruk (1997–99) |
Battles/wars | Bougainville civil unrest Iraq War |
Awards | Member of the Order of Australia |
Rear Admiral Allan Kendall du Toit, AM is a retired senior officer of the Royal Australian Navy,[1] who served as Australia's Military Representative to NATO and the European Union from 2013 until his retirement in 2016.[2][3] Du Toit previously served as the Commander Border Protection Command until being succeeded by Rear Admiral Tim Barrett in February 2010.[4]
Du Toit was born and raised in Durban, South Africa and emigrated to Australia in early 1987.[1]
During his time as an officer in the South African Navy du Toit graduated from the Naval Staff College and the South African Military Academy where he received a Bachelor degree in Military Science.[1]
Du Toit received a Masters in Defence Studies and a Graduate Diploma in Strategic Studies from the University of New South Wales. He was a founding member of the Naval Studies Group, which is part UNSW's Centre for the Study of Armed Conflict and Society,[9] and As of 4 April 2017[update] is undertaking part-time doctoral study in naval history at the University College, Australian Defence Force Academy.[1][8]
Du Toit lives in the Huon Valley in Tasmania with his partner Carolyn, a former Australian diplomat, and her young daughter. He has two adult sons and is a keen rugby union and cricket supporter.[5]
Du Toit wrote his first published book on warships when he was 15 years old; the book was later published while he was serving as a midshipman in the South African Navy. Du Toit has gone on to write two other books, one on warships and the other on South African naval history.[5]