Peter Cosgrove: Difference between revisions
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[[General (Australia)|General]] '''Sir Peter John Cosgrove''' | [[General (Australia)|General]] '''Sir Peter John Cosgrove''' (born 28 July 1947) is an Australian retired senior [[Australian Army|Army]] officer who served as the 26th [[governor-general of Australia]], in office from 2014 to 2019. | ||
A graduate of the [[Royal Military College, Duntroon]], Cosgrove fought in the [[Military history of Australia during the Vietnam War|Vietnam War]], receiving the [[Military Cross]] in 1971. From 1983 to 1984, he was commander of the [[1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment]], and he later served as commander of the [[6th Brigade (Australia)|6th Brigade]] and the [[1st Division (Australia)|1st Division]]. Cosgrove rose to prominence in 1999, when he served as commander of the [[International Force for East Timor]] (INTERFET), which oversaw the peacekeeping mission in [[East Timor]] during its transition to independence. He is also an alumnus of [[National Defence College, India]]. | A graduate of the [[Royal Military College, Duntroon]], Cosgrove fought in the [[Military history of Australia during the Vietnam War|Vietnam War]], receiving the [[Military Cross]] in 1971. From 1983 to 1984, he was commander of the [[1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment]], and he later served as commander of the [[6th Brigade (Australia)|6th Brigade]] and the [[1st Division (Australia)|1st Division]]. Cosgrove rose to prominence in 1999, when he served as commander of the [[International Force for East Timor]] (INTERFET), which oversaw the peacekeeping mission in [[East Timor]] during its transition to independence. He is also an alumnus of [[National Defence College, India]]. | ||
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Cosgrove was born in Sydney | Peter John Cosgrove{{cn|date=October 2025}}<!--needs a citation with second given name---> was born in [[Randwick]], the [[Sydney]] suburb of on 28 July 1947.<ref name=lees2017/> | ||
He was educated at [[Waverley College]] in Sydney, then followed his father, a [[warrant officer]], into the [[Australian Army]] by attending the [[Royal Military College, Duntroon]] in 1965. Cosgrove's uncle, [[Bill Cosgrove]], was a professional [[Australian rules football]] player, but was [[killed in action]] while serving with the [[Royal Australian Air Force]] during [[World War II]].<ref name=lees2017>{{Cite web |last=Lees |first=Justin |date=April 22, 2017 |title=Governor-general Sir Peter Cosgrove's mischievous 'uncle Bill' a beloved World War II hero |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/governorgeneral-sir-peter-cosgroves-mischievous-uncle-bill-a-beloved-world-war-ii-hero/news-story/2e0bbaca22dc387309181e183123e64f |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240421201120/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/governorgeneral-sir-peter-cosgroves-mischievous-uncle-bill-a-beloved-world-war-ii-hero/news-story/2e0bbaca22dc387309181e183123e64f |archive-date=21 April 2024 |website=Herald Sun}}</ref> | |||
Cosgrove spent time in [[Waverley College]]'s Cadet Unit, as Adjutant CUO P. Cosgrove.{{cn|date=October 2025}} He tied for the Major General JA Chapman Cane for the most efficient cadet in the unit.{{cn|date=October 2025}} Years later the cadet unit has named an award after Cosgrove, the General Cosgrove Shield, each year to honour the achievements of the most senior ranking officer to graduate.{{cn|date=October 2025}} | |||
== Military service == | == Military service == | ||
[[File:General Peter Cosgrove AC MC (Ret'd) at the Centenary of the Kangaroo March launch.jpg|thumb | [[File:General Peter Cosgrove AC MC (Ret'd) at the Centenary of the Kangaroo March launch.jpg|thumb|200px|Cosgrove at the Centenary of the [[Kangaroo March]] launch in 2013]] | ||
Cosgrove was appointed a probationary second lieutenant in August 1968 while attached to a regular army unit,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/241058252 |title=Royal Military College – Corps of Staff Cadets |newspaper=Commonwealth of Australia Gazette |issue=72 |date=29 August 1968 |access-date=21 June 2019 |page=4853 |via=Trove |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240421204306/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/rendition/nla.news-article241058252.3.pdf?followup=88e5d40aed00cc8f16a47cde89438f4e |archive-date= Apr 21, 2024 }}</ref> and was commissioned a lieutenant on 11 December 1968.<ref name="lt">{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/241037170 |title=Australian Regular Army |newspaper=Commonwealth of Australia Gazette |issue=19 |date=27 February 1969 |access-date=21 June 2019 |page=1253 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421212420/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/rendition/nla.news-article241037170.3.pdf?followup=43451de327e61c42d5e5d75b5aa3b219 |archive-date= Apr 21, 2024 }}</ref> He was allotted to the [[Royal Australian Infantry Corps|Royal Australian Infantry]]. He arrived in [[South Vietnam]] on 3 August 1969 and was posted to [[9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment]] on 20 August 1969. On 10 October 1969, Lieutenant Cosgrove was commanding 5 Platoon, B Company. The platoon located an occupied bunker system in an area where, because of the proximity of allied troops, indirect fire support was difficult to obtain. In spite of this, he led his platoon in an assault on the bunkers without indirect fire support, capturing the system and killing and wounding at least four enemy without sustaining any casualties. On 16 October 1969, 5 Platoon located another bunker system occupied by about a platoon of enemy. Lieutenant Cosgrove silently deployed his own platoon for an attack. His assault completely surprised the enemy causing them to flee, abandoning large quantities of food, stores and documents. The following day in the same bunker system a party of enemy approached his right forward section and was engaged by the sentry. Knowing that the remainder of the section was elsewhere on other tasks, Lieutenant Cosgrove ran to the contact area and personally conducted the fight against the enemy. As a result of his actions, two enemy were killed and three weapons and four packs containing rice were captured. He was awarded the [[Military Cross]] for these actions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.9rar.org.au/images/Citations/Words%20on%20Citation/03%20Cosgrove.pdf|title=Text of Citation for award of Military Cross to Lieutenant Peter J. Cosgrove|work=9 RAR Association |access-date=22 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218003156/http://www.9rar.org.au/images/Citations/Words%20on%20Citation/03%20Cosgrove.pdf|archive-date=18 February 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=LG>{{London Gazette |issue=45302 |page=1343 |date=12 February 1971 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231218095516/https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/45302/page/1343/data.pdf |archive-date= Dec 18, 2023 }}</ref> | Cosgrove was appointed a probationary second lieutenant in August 1968 while attached to a regular army unit,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/241058252 |title=Royal Military College – Corps of Staff Cadets |newspaper=Commonwealth of Australia Gazette |issue=72 |date=29 August 1968 |access-date=21 June 2019 |page=4853 |via=Trove |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240421204306/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/rendition/nla.news-article241058252.3.pdf?followup=88e5d40aed00cc8f16a47cde89438f4e |archive-date= Apr 21, 2024 }}</ref> and was commissioned a lieutenant on 11 December 1968.<ref name="lt">{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/241037170 |title=Australian Regular Army |newspaper=Commonwealth of Australia Gazette |issue=19 |date=27 February 1969 |access-date=21 June 2019 |page=1253 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421212420/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/rendition/nla.news-article241037170.3.pdf?followup=43451de327e61c42d5e5d75b5aa3b219 |archive-date= Apr 21, 2024 }}</ref> He was allotted to the [[Royal Australian Infantry Corps|Royal Australian Infantry]]. He arrived in [[South Vietnam]] on 3 August 1969 and was posted to [[9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment]] on 20 August 1969. On 10 October 1969, Lieutenant Cosgrove was commanding 5 Platoon, B Company. The platoon located an occupied bunker system in an area where, because of the proximity of allied troops, indirect fire support was difficult to obtain. In spite of this, he led his platoon in an assault on the bunkers without indirect fire support, capturing the system and killing and wounding at least four enemy without sustaining any casualties. On 16 October 1969, 5 Platoon located another bunker system occupied by about a platoon of enemy. Lieutenant Cosgrove silently deployed his own platoon for an attack. His assault completely surprised the enemy causing them to flee, abandoning large quantities of food, stores and documents. The following day in the same bunker system a party of enemy approached his right forward section and was engaged by the sentry. Knowing that the remainder of the section was elsewhere on other tasks, Lieutenant Cosgrove ran to the contact area and personally conducted the fight against the enemy. As a result of his actions, two enemy were killed and three weapons and four packs containing rice were captured. He was awarded the [[Military Cross]] for these actions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.9rar.org.au/images/Citations/Words%20on%20Citation/03%20Cosgrove.pdf|title=Text of Citation for award of Military Cross to Lieutenant Peter J. Cosgrove|work=9 RAR Association |access-date=22 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218003156/http://www.9rar.org.au/images/Citations/Words%20on%20Citation/03%20Cosgrove.pdf|archive-date=18 February 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=LG>{{London Gazette |issue=45302 |page=1343 |date=12 February 1971 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231218095516/https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/45302/page/1343/data.pdf |archive-date= Dec 18, 2023 }}</ref> | ||
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=== Corporate leadership and community organisations === | === Corporate leadership and community organisations === | ||
Cosgrove served on the board of Australia's main airline [[Qantas]] between July 2005<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.qantas2013.reportonline.com.au/#50 |page=51 |title=Board of Directors |work=Annual Report |year=2013 |publisher=[[Qantas]] Limited |access-date=28 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140127073337/http://www.qantas2013.reportonline.com.au/#50 |archive-date=27 January 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and January 2014<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/resignation-of-general-peter-cosgrove |title=Resignation of General Peter Cosgrove |date=28 January 2014 |publisher=[[Qantas]] Limited |access-date=28 January 2014 }}</ref> and is on numerous other boards as chairman or member.{{Citation needed|date=January 2014}} He served as [[Chancellor (education)|Chancellor]] of the [[Australian Catholic University]] between November 2010<ref name=ACU>{{cite web |url=http://www.acu.edu.au/246442 |title=General Peter Cosgrove appointed Chancellor of ACU |date=25 May 2010 |publisher=[[Australian Catholic University]] |access-date=12 July 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121127020929/http://www.acu.edu.au/246442 |archive-date=27 November 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and January 2014 | Cosgrove served on the board of Australia's main airline [[Qantas]] between July 2005<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.qantas2013.reportonline.com.au/#50 |page=51 |title=Board of Directors |work=Annual Report |year=2013 |publisher=[[Qantas]] Limited |access-date=28 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140127073337/http://www.qantas2013.reportonline.com.au/#50 |archive-date=27 January 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and January 2014<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/resignation-of-general-peter-cosgrove |title=Resignation of General Peter Cosgrove |date=28 January 2014 |publisher=[[Qantas]] Limited |access-date=28 January 2014 }}</ref> and is{{when|date=October 2025}} on numerous other boards as chairman or member.{{Citation needed|date=January 2014}} | ||
He served as [[Chancellor (education)|Chancellor]] of the [[Australian Catholic University]] between November 2010<ref name=ACU>{{cite web |url=http://www.acu.edu.au/246442 |title=General Peter Cosgrove appointed Chancellor of ACU |date=25 May 2010 |publisher=[[Australian Catholic University]] |access-date=12 July 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121127020929/http://www.acu.edu.au/246442 |archive-date=27 November 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and January 2014.<ref name=catholicnews2014>{{cite web |url=http://www.sydneycatholic.org/news/latest_news/2014/2014128_211.shtml |title=General Peter Cosgrove Australia's Next Governor-General |date=28 January 2014 |access-date=2 February 2014 |work=Catholic Communications |publisher=Archdiocese of Sydney |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004085355/http://www.sydneycatholic.org/news/latest_news/2014/2014128_211.shtml |archive-date=4 October 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
As of 2014 he was honorary patron of the [[ACT Veterans Rugby Club]]<ref>{{cite web|title=ACT Veterans Rugby|url=http://www.actvetsrugby.org.au/default.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140623175004/http://actvetsrugby.org.au/default.htm|archive-date=23 June 2014}}</ref> and the Rosies Youth Mission.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rosies Youth Mission. Inc.|title=Organisational Structure|url=http://rosies.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=19&Itemid=17|access-date=21 May 2014}}</ref> | |||
Cosgrove was appointed as patron to the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association in 2015.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Elliot |first1=Ellen-Maree |title=Governor-General Peter Cosgrove patron of Australian Volunteer Coast Guard thanks to Royal Military College Duntroon friend |url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/southeast/governorgeneral-peter-cosgrove-patron-of-australian-volunteer-coast-guard-thanks-to-royal-military-college-duntroon-friend/news-story/e2d25a19f3e505d3507c489489df30c5 |access-date=1 October 2025 |publisher=Courier Mail |date=25 May 2016}}</ref> | |||
== Governor-General == | == Governor-General == | ||
[[File:Peter Cosgrove Swearing In 2.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Swearing in as Governor-General]] | [[File:Peter Cosgrove Swearing In 2.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Swearing in as Governor-General]] | ||
On 28 January 2014, Prime Minister [[Tony Abbott]] announced that [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]] had accepted his advice to appoint General | On 28 January 2014, Prime Minister [[Tony Abbott]] announced that [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]] had accepted his advice to appoint General Cosgrove as the next [[Governor-General of Australia]], to succeed [[Quentin Bryce|Dame Quentin Bryce]] in late March.<ref>[http://www.pm.gov.au/media/2014-02-24/governor-general-designate-be-sworn Governor-General-designate to be sworn in] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227130617/http://www.pm.gov.au/media/2014-02-24/governor-general-designate-be-sworn |date=27 February 2014 }} – Office of the Prime Minister of Australia, 24 February 2014.</ref> On 25 March, Abbott announced that the Queen had also approved the reinstatement of the grade of [[List of Knights and Dames of the Order of Australia|Knight or Dame]] in the [[Order of Australia]] (she had abolished it in 1986 on the advice of [[Bob Hawke]]), and that governors-general would be ''ex officio'' the Principal Knight or Dame of the Order.<ref name="ABC5344646">{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-25/pre-eminent-australians-could-be-made-knight-or-dame/5344646|title='Pre-eminent' Australians could be made Knight or Dame under a new award, PM Tony Abbott says|publisher=ABC News|date=25 March 2014}}</ref> The incumbent, Quentin Bryce, was immediately made the first new Dame of the Order. On 28 March, Cosgrove succeeded Dame Quentin and was sworn in as Governor-General by Chief Justice [[Robert French]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Former Defence Force Chief General Peter Cosgrove sworn in as Australia's 26th Governor General|url=http://www.news.com.au/national/former-defence-force-chief-general-peter-cosgrove-sworn-in-as-australias-26th-governorgeneral/story-fncynjr2-1226867305782|work=news.com.au|date=28 March 2014|access-date=19 November 2015|archive-date=9 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109032038/http://www.news.com.au/national/former-defence-force-chief-general-peter-cosgrove-sworn-in-as-australias-26th-governorgeneral/story-fncynjr2-1226867305782|url-status=dead}}</ref> becoming Sir Peter Cosgrove.<ref name="GG">{{cite news|title=Peter Cosgrove announced as next Governor-General|url=http://www.news.com.au/national/peter-cosgrove-announced-as-next-governorgeneral/story-fncynjr2-1226811724006|access-date=28 January 2014|newspaper=News.com.au|date=28 January 2014|agency=[[Australian Associated Press|AAP]]|archive-date=1 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001204347/http://www.news.com.au/national/peter-cosgrove-announced-as-next-governorgeneral/story-fncynjr2-1226811724006|url-status=dead}}</ref> Former headmaster of Waverley College, Ray Paxton, states "In choosing Sir Peter Cosgrove for Governor General, Australia has honoured a remarkable man". During his time as Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove was a supporter for the Lung Foundation Australia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Governor-General LFA Reception 2018 {{!}} Admiralty House {{!}} Executive Images Photography & Video |url=https://executiveimages.com.au/blog/lfa-admiralty-house-reception-2018/ |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=Executive Images |language=en-AU}}</ref> | ||
[[File:Prince William, Catherine, Prince George and Peter Cosgrove.jpg|thumb|[[Prince George of Wales|Prince George]] with his parents and Sir Peter Cosgrove at [[Admiralty House, Sydney]], April 2014]] | [[File:Prince William, Catherine, Prince George and Peter Cosgrove.jpg|thumb|[[Prince George of Wales|Prince George]] with his parents and Sir Peter Cosgrove at [[Admiralty House, Sydney]], April 2014]] | ||
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== Personal life == | == Personal life == | ||
Cosgrove married Lynne Payne in 1976,<ref name="ggbio">{{cite web |url=http://www.gg.gov.au/gg-bio-cosgrove |work=Governor-General of Australia |title=Biographies of Peter and Lynne Cosgrove |access-date=30 March 2014 |publisher=Australian Government |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329215556/http://www.gg.gov.au/gg-bio-cosgrove |archive-date=29 March 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and they have three sons.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.awm.gov.au/people/1070841.asp |title=General Peter John Cosgrove, AC, MC |work=People profiles |publisher=[[Australian War Memorial]] |access-date=28 January 2014}}</ref> | |||
Cosgrove married Lynne Payne in 1976 | |||
His memoir, ''You shouldn't have joined ...'', was published by Allen & Unwin in 2020.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Cosgrove, Peter (Peter J.) | His memoir, ''You shouldn't have joined ...'', was published by [[Allen & Unwin]] in 2020.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Cosgrove, Peter (Peter J.)|title=You shouldn't have joined... : a memoir|date=27 October 2020|isbn=978-1-76087-852-8|location=Sydney, N.S.W.|oclc=1200259235}}</ref> | ||
[[File:Lady Lynne Cosgrove.jpg|upright|thumb|Lady Cosgrove in 2017]] | [[File:Lady Lynne Cosgrove.jpg|upright|thumb|Lady Cosgrove in 2017]] | ||
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{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[File: | |[[File:AUS Order of Australia (civil) BAR.svg|50px]] || [[Knight of the Order of Australia]] (AK) || 28 March 2014 ||<ref name=Note2>Automatic upon taking office as Governor-General</ref><ref name=AK>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-28/governor-general-peter-cosgrove-swearing-in/5350796|title=General Peter Cosgrove to be sworn in as governor-general at ceremony in Canberra|work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|location=Australia|date=28 March 2014|access-date=5 May 2018}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|rowspan=2|[[File:Order of Australia ( | |rowspan=2|[[File:AUS Order of Australia (military) BAR.svg|50px]] || {{nowrap|[[Companion of the Order of Australia]] (AC)}} || {{nowrap|25 March 2000}}<br />{{nowrap|<small>(Military division)</small>}} || For eminent service to the Australian Defence Force as the Commander of the International Force East Timor<ref name=AC /> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Member of the Order of Australia]] (AM) || 26 January 1985<br /><small>(Military division)</small> || In recognition of service as Commanding Officer 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment<ref name=AM /> | | [[Member of the Order of Australia]] (AM) || 26 January 1985<br /><small>(Military division)</small> || In recognition of service as Commanding Officer 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment<ref name=AM /> | ||
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|[[File:PRT Order of Prince Henry - Grand Cross BAR.svg|50px]] || [[Order of Prince Henry|Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry]] || 28 May 2002 || Portugal<ref>[http://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/pdf/EstrangeirosCondNacionais.pdf Annual Portuguese Honorary Orders], ''Foreign citizens 1910–2006'', 2006, retrieved 19 April 2008, p111. {{in lang|pt}} {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314160958/http://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/pdf/EstrangeirosCondNacionais.pdf |date=14 March 2008 }}</ref> | |[[File:PRT Order of Prince Henry - Grand Cross BAR.svg|50px]] || [[Order of Prince Henry|Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry]] || 28 May 2002 || Portugal<ref>[http://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/pdf/EstrangeirosCondNacionais.pdf Annual Portuguese Honorary Orders], ''Foreign citizens 1910–2006'', 2006, retrieved 19 April 2008, p111. {{in lang|pt}} {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314160958/http://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/pdf/EstrangeirosCondNacionais.pdf |date=14 March 2008 }}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[File:Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) ribbon.png|50px]] || {{nowrap|[[Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera)|Distinguished Service Order]]}} || {{nowrap|7 September 2004}} || Singapore<ref>[http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2004/sep/07sep04_nr.html MINDEF Singapore], ''President Nathan Confers Top Military Award on Chief of the Australian Defence Force'', 7 September 2004. Retrieved 19 April 2008.</ref> | |[[File:Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) ribbon.png|50px]] || {{nowrap|[[Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera)|Distinguished Service Order]]}} || {{nowrap|7 September 2004}} || Singapore<ref>[http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2004/sep/07sep04_nr.html MINDEF Singapore] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120805055117/http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2004/sep/07sep04_nr.html |date=5 August 2012 }}, ''President Nathan Confers Top Military Award on Chief of the Australian Defence Force'', 7 September 2004. Retrieved 19 April 2008.</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[File:Order of Timor-Leste.png|50px]] || Collar of the [[Order of Timor-Leste]] || 30 August 2009 || Timor-Leste<ref>[http://www.defence.gov.au/opex/global/opastute/images/gallery/2009/0904/index.htm Retired General Peter Cosgrove is presented with the collar of the Order of East Timor by East Timor President, His Excellency, Dr Jose Ramos Horta at the 10th Anniversary of Popular Consultation Awards Ceremony held at the New Presidential Palace in Dili] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140213032722/http://www.defence.gov.au/opex/global/opastute/images/gallery/2009/0904/index.htm |date=13 February 2014 }}, Defence image gallery – Order of East Timor medal presentations, 4 September 2009</ref> | |[[File:Order of Timor-Leste.png|50px]] || Collar of the [[Order of Timor-Leste]] || 30 August 2009 || Timor-Leste<ref>[http://www.defence.gov.au/opex/global/opastute/images/gallery/2009/0904/index.htm Retired General Peter Cosgrove is presented with the collar of the Order of East Timor by East Timor President, His Excellency, Dr Jose Ramos Horta at the 10th Anniversary of Popular Consultation Awards Ceremony held at the New Presidential Palace in Dili] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140213032722/http://www.defence.gov.au/opex/global/opastute/images/gallery/2009/0904/index.htm |date=13 February 2014 }}, Defence image gallery – Order of East Timor medal presentations, 4 September 2009</ref> | ||
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=== Honorary appointments === | === Honorary appointments === | ||
* {{flagicon|Australia}} ''' | * {{flagicon|Australia}} '''2022–2025''': Patron of the [[Australian Defence Force Cadets]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Australian Defence Force Cadets Annual Report 2021-22 |url=https://www.transparency.gov.au/publications/defence/department-of-defence/department-of-defence-annual-report-2021-22/chapter-6---strategic-workforce-management/australian-defence-force-cadets |publisher=Transparency.gov.au |access-date=13 March 2025}}</ref> | ||
* {{flagicon|Australia}} '''2014–2019''': Colonel-in-Chief of the [[Royal Australian Army Medical Corps]]<ref name=Note2 /> | * {{flagicon|Australia}} '''2014–2019''': Colonel-in-Chief of the [[Royal Australian Army Medical Corps]]<ref name=Note2 /> | ||
* {{flagicon|Australia}} '''2014–2019''': Colonel of the Regiment of the [[Royal Australian Regiment]] | * {{flagicon|Australia}} '''2014–2019''': Colonel of the Regiment of the [[Royal Australian Regiment]] | ||
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[[Category:Australian autobiographers]] | [[Category:Australian autobiographers]] | ||
[[Category:Australian memoirists]] | [[Category:Australian memoirists]] | ||
[[Category:Australian military personnel of the International Force for East Timor]] | [[Category:Australian military personnel of the International Force for East Timor]] | ||
[[Category:Australian military personnel of the Vietnam War]] | [[Category:Australian military personnel of the Vietnam War]] | ||
Latest revision as of 21:09, 25 December 2025
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Australian English Script error: No such module "infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters". General Sir Peter John Cosgrove (born 28 July 1947) is an Australian retired senior Army officer who served as the 26th governor-general of Australia, in office from 2014 to 2019.
A graduate of the Royal Military College, Duntroon, Cosgrove fought in the Vietnam War, receiving the Military Cross in 1971. From 1983 to 1984, he was commander of the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, and he later served as commander of the 6th Brigade and the 1st Division. Cosgrove rose to prominence in 1999, when he served as commander of the International Force for East Timor (INTERFET), which oversaw the peacekeeping mission in East Timor during its transition to independence. He is also an alumnus of National Defence College, India.
Cosgrove was Australia's Chief of Army from 2000 to 2002 and Chief of the Defence Force from 2002 to 2005, receiving corresponding promotions to lieutenant general and general. Cosgrove retired from active service following the end of his term as Chief of the Defence Force, and subsequently served as leader of a taskforce helping to rebuild communities in Queensland after Cyclone Larry in 2006. In January 2014, Cosgrove was named to succeed Dame Quentin Bryce as Governor-General of Australia. He was sworn in on 28 March 2014 and made a Knight of the Order of Australia on the same date. Cosgrove retired on 1 July 2019 and was succeeded by General David Hurley.
Early life and education
Template:Infobox viceroy styles Peter John CosgroveScript error: No such module "Unsubst". was born in Randwick, the Sydney suburb of on 28 July 1947.[1]
He was educated at Waverley College in Sydney, then followed his father, a warrant officer, into the Australian Army by attending the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1965. Cosgrove's uncle, Bill Cosgrove, was a professional Australian rules football player, but was killed in action while serving with the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II.[1]
Cosgrove spent time in Waverley College's Cadet Unit, as Adjutant CUO P. Cosgrove.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". He tied for the Major General JA Chapman Cane for the most efficient cadet in the unit.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Years later the cadet unit has named an award after Cosgrove, the General Cosgrove Shield, each year to honour the achievements of the most senior ranking officer to graduate.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Military service
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Cosgrove was appointed a probationary second lieutenant in August 1968 while attached to a regular army unit,[2] and was commissioned a lieutenant on 11 December 1968.[3] He was allotted to the Royal Australian Infantry. He arrived in South Vietnam on 3 August 1969 and was posted to 9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment on 20 August 1969. On 10 October 1969, Lieutenant Cosgrove was commanding 5 Platoon, B Company. The platoon located an occupied bunker system in an area where, because of the proximity of allied troops, indirect fire support was difficult to obtain. In spite of this, he led his platoon in an assault on the bunkers without indirect fire support, capturing the system and killing and wounding at least four enemy without sustaining any casualties. On 16 October 1969, 5 Platoon located another bunker system occupied by about a platoon of enemy. Lieutenant Cosgrove silently deployed his own platoon for an attack. His assault completely surprised the enemy causing them to flee, abandoning large quantities of food, stores and documents. The following day in the same bunker system a party of enemy approached his right forward section and was engaged by the sentry. Knowing that the remainder of the section was elsewhere on other tasks, Lieutenant Cosgrove ran to the contact area and personally conducted the fight against the enemy. As a result of his actions, two enemy were killed and three weapons and four packs containing rice were captured. He was awarded the Military Cross for these actions.[4][5]
Cosgrove was promoted to the temporary rank of captain on 21 September 1970,[6] and was appointed an aide-de-camp to the then-Governor-General Paul Hasluck on 20 December 1971.[7] He was promoted to substantive captain on 31 October 1974 (seniority from 13 July),[8] to temporary major on 2 January 1976 and to substantive major on 11 December 1978.[9][10] In 1980 he was awarded the National Medal,[11] and was promoted to lieutenant-colonel on 7 December 1981.[12] In the mid-1980s he commanded the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.[13]
Cosgrove came to national fame in 1999 when, as a major general, he led the international forces (INTERFET) in a peacekeeping mission to East Timor. The mission's success made him one of Australia's most respected and popular military leaders.[14] He returned to Australia in 2000 as Land Commander Australia,[15] was promoted to lieutenant general in July and appointed Chief of the Army and, in 2002, was advanced to general as Chief of the Defence Force.[16]
In 2004, the Foreign Minister Alexander Downer queried the judgement of Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty.[17] Following a joint interview with the then Defence Minister Robert Hill, Cosgrove was accused of "playing politics" when he said that, on this occasion, he disagreed with Keelty's point of view. However, Cosgrove expressed strong support for the Police Commissioner in his Australian best selling autobiography, My Story, published in 2006.[18] On 3 July 2005, Cosgrove's three-year appointment as Chief of the Defence Force was completed, and he was succeeded by then-Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Angus Houston.
Post-military career
Cyclone Larry Taskforce
On 23 March 2006, Cosgrove was selected to lead the Queensland Government taskforce of rebuilding communities damaged by Cyclone Larry, a Category 5 tropical cyclone that devastated the Innisfail region of northern Queensland.[19] "In recognition of the important contribution General Cosgrove made to the community of North Queensland following Cyclone Larry", on 11 October 2008, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh announced that a new residential suburb in the Bohle Plains area of Townsville would be named Cosgrove, formerly the site of an Abattoir for the cattle sale yards next to it.[20][21][22]
Corporate leadership and community organisations
Cosgrove served on the board of Australia's main airline Qantas between July 2005[23] and January 2014[24] and isScript error: No such module "Unsubst". on numerous other boards as chairman or member.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
He served as Chancellor of the Australian Catholic University between November 2010[25] and January 2014.[26]
As of 2014 he was honorary patron of the ACT Veterans Rugby Club[27] and the Rosies Youth Mission.[28]
Cosgrove was appointed as patron to the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association in 2015.[29]
Governor-General
On 28 January 2014, Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced that Queen Elizabeth II had accepted his advice to appoint General Cosgrove as the next Governor-General of Australia, to succeed Dame Quentin Bryce in late March.[30] On 25 March, Abbott announced that the Queen had also approved the reinstatement of the grade of Knight or Dame in the Order of Australia (she had abolished it in 1986 on the advice of Bob Hawke), and that governors-general would be ex officio the Principal Knight or Dame of the Order.[31] The incumbent, Quentin Bryce, was immediately made the first new Dame of the Order. On 28 March, Cosgrove succeeded Dame Quentin and was sworn in as Governor-General by Chief Justice Robert French,[32] becoming Sir Peter Cosgrove.[33] Former headmaster of Waverley College, Ray Paxton, states "In choosing Sir Peter Cosgrove for Governor General, Australia has honoured a remarkable man". During his time as Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove was a supporter for the Lung Foundation Australia.[34]
On 16 December 2018, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that The Queen had approved the appointment of retired General David Hurley, the current Governor of New South Wales, as the next Governor-General of Australia, commencing in July 2019, and that Cosgrove's term would be extended until that time to ensure smooth transitions following the New South Wales election in March and federal election expected in May 2019.[35]
On 12 August 2019, during a post appointment call upon the Queen, Cosgrove was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.[36]
During the Coronation of Charles III and Camilla, with the Governor-General of Australia and all of the state governors in London, Cosgrove served as the Administrator of the Commonwealth from 30 April to 10 May 2023.[37]
Personal life
Cosgrove married Lynne Payne in 1976,[38] and they have three sons.[39]
His memoir, You shouldn't have joined ..., was published by Allen & Unwin in 2020.[40]
Honours and awards
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File:AUS Centenary Medal ribbon.svg
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File:Tong-il Security Medal Ribbon.svg
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File:PRT Order of Prince Henry - Grand Cross BAR.svg
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File:ARG Order of the Liberator San Martin - Grand Cross BAR.svg
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Honorary appointments
- Template:Flagicon 2022–2025: Patron of the Australian Defence Force Cadets[55]
- Template:Flagicon 2014–2019: Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps[41]
- Template:Flagicon 2014–2019: Colonel of the Regiment of the Royal Australian Regiment
- Template:Flagicon 2014–2019: Chief Scout of Australia
- Template:Flagicon 2014–2019: Prior of the Order of St John[56]
Honorary degrees
- 2016 Doctor of Laws (honoris causa), Monash University[57]
Named in his honour
- the suburb of Cosgrove in the City of Townsville, Queensland[58]
- The Cosgrove Centre, Waverley College, Sydney, New South Wales
See also
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References
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- ↑ Governor-General-designate to be sworn in Template:Webarchive – Office of the Prime Minister of Australia, 24 February 2014.
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- ↑ Annual Portuguese Honorary Orders, Foreign citizens 1910–2006, 2006, retrieved 19 April 2008, p111. Template:In lang Template:Webarchive
- ↑ MINDEF Singapore Template:Webarchive, President Nathan Confers Top Military Award on Chief of the Australian Defence Force, 7 September 2004. Retrieved 19 April 2008.
- ↑ Retired General Peter Cosgrove is presented with the collar of the Order of East Timor by East Timor President, His Excellency, Dr Jose Ramos Horta at the 10th Anniversary of Popular Consultation Awards Ceremony held at the New Presidential Palace in Dili Template:Webarchive, Defence image gallery – Order of East Timor medal presentations, 4 September 2009
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External links
- Cosgrove bio, Australian War Memorial
- Cosgrove bio Template:Webarchive, www.icmi.com.au
- Pictorial bio, www.diggerhistory.info
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Template:Governors-General of Australia Template:Chief of Army (Australia) Template:Chief of the Defence Force (Australia) Template:Australians of the Year Template:Authority control
- Pages with script errors
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- 1947 births
- Australian Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
- Australian expatriates in India
- Australian autobiographers
- Australian memoirists
- Australian military personnel of the International Force for East Timor
- Australian military personnel of the Vietnam War
- Australian of the Year Award winners
- Australian people of Irish descent
- Australian recipients of the Military Cross
- Australian Roman Catholics
- Chiefs of Army (Australia)
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- Collars of the Order of the Liberator General San Martin
- Commanders of the Legion of Merit
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- Governors-general of Australia
- Grand Crosses of the Order of Prince Henry
- Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Gregory the Great
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- Living people
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