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10 Facts About John Sanderson

1.

John Sanderson served as Force Commander of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia from 1992 to 1993, Chief of Army from 1995 to 1998, and was the 29th Governor of Western Australia from 2000 to 2005.

2.

John Sanderson graduated in 1961 and was commissioned into the Royal Australian Engineers in December 1961.

3.

John Sanderson returned to Australia to command the 23rd Construction Squadron at Holsworthy Barracks, prior to taking up command of the 17th Construction Squadron in South Vietnam at the end of 1970.

4.

John Sanderson was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1975 after serving for a short period as a Staff Officer at the Headquarters of Field Force Command.

5.

John Sanderson commanded the 1st Field Engineer Regiment from 1979 to 1980, and then attended the Joint Services Command and Staff College in 1981.

6.

John Sanderson was appointed as the military assistant to the Chief of the General Staff in late 1981, serving in that capacity until being promoted to colonel as director of army plans in 1983.

7.

John Sanderson served as chief of staff, land command, for a brief period in 1989 and was then promoted to major general and appointed as assistant chief of defence policy.

8.

From October 1991, John Sanderson became engaged directly in the United Nations process to bring peace to Cambodia, first as adviser to the Secretary General of the United Nations, and then from March 1992, in the rank of lieutenant general, as the commander of the 16,000-strong international military component of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia.

9.

On 18 August 2000, John Sanderson was sworn in as 29th governor of Western Australia.

10.

John Sanderson retired as Governor of Western Australia in June 2005 after his term of office expired, but agreed to stay on until 31 October 2005 to assist with the transition to the new governor.