13 Facts About Edric Bastyan

Edric Bastyan was the last British person to be governor of either state.

Edric Bastyan was promoted to captain in the West Yorkshire Regiment on 4 April 1935 and attended the Staff College, Camberley from 1936 to 1937, transferring to the Royal Irish Fusiliers in 1937, and seeing service in Palestine from 1938 to 1939.

From November 1939 to June 1941, during the Second World War, Edric Bastyan served as a GSO II in Palestine with the Royal Irish Fusiliers and was mentioned in despatches in March 1941.

Edric Bastyan served as assistant quarter-master general in the Middle East from July 1941 to May 1942, subsequently as deputy director of the Higher Commander's Course from May to October of that year.

Edric Bastyan was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in September 1942, by which time he was a temporary lieutenant colonel.

Edric Bastyan was promoted to temporary brigadier the following month and confirmed as a war substantive lieutenant colonel in November 1942.

Edric Bastyan served as a temporary brigadier from then until January 1944, when he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Edric Bastyan was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in August 1944.

In December 1944, Edric Bastyan was appointed an acting major general.

Edric Bastyan was promoted to the permanent rank of colonel in July 1945, and confirmed as temporary major general in October 1946.

Edric Bastyan was promoted to substantive major-general on 26 January 1948, with seniority from 13 April 1946.

Edric Bastyan went on to be Chief of Staff at Eastern Command in July 1949, Director of Staff Duties at the War Office in November 1950 and General Officer Commanding 53rd Infantry Division in October 1952.

Edric Bastyan retired from the British Army in June 1960 and was appointed Governor of South Australia on 4 April 1961.