Guy Griffiths

The Life and Times of an Australian Admiral

By Peter Jones

Published by Australian Scholarly Publishing
RRP $39.95 in paperback | ISBN 9781922454683

This is the authorised biography of Rear Admiral Guy Griffiths AO, DSO, DSC, RAN.

Griffiths joined the Navy in 1937 having successfully negotiated the rigorous application process for the Royal Australian Naval College.

His navy career began in earnest with his appointment, in March 1941, to the Royal Navy ship HMS Repulse, one of three battlecruisers in the fleet, initially tasked as an escort for Atlantic convoys. Repulse was later sunk by the Japanese near Singapore with 508 casualties. Griffiths was among the lucky ones to be picked up by a destroyer.

Later, for his efforts defending against Japanese attack onboard the cruiser HMAS Shropshire, he was awarded the DSC.

He was to witness the last act of the Pacific War – the surrender in Tokyo Bay.

His remarkable career would go on to cover two more wars – the Korean War and the Vietnam War – and also include significant Navy Office postings.

He retired as a Rear Admiral after 42 years’ service.

VERDICT: Peter Jones, who himself retired as a Vice Admiral, has produced a very thorough and highly readable account of Guy Griffiths’ life and achievements.