Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Robert Arthur 'Bob' Hay was born in Bendigo on 9 April 1920 to Vera Evyleen Hay (nee Whitehead) and Eric Alex Hay.

Bob went to Brighton Grammar School (BGS) for three years as a boarder, where he was also a Lieutenant of the Cadet Corps, following his desire to become a professional soldier, and finished as School Captain. Tall and lean, Hay was an outstanding cricketer and footballer. (en.wikipedia.org) He was inducted into their Hall of Fame (www.brightongrammar.vic.edu.au). 

After excelling at BGS (www.brightongrammar.vic.edu.au), Bob entered military training at Duntroon on 1 March 1937 (nla.gov.au) and was again highly successful. In his first year, he won the tennis championship. Hay was appointed Battalion Sergeant Major, awarded the Sword of Honour (military equivalent of the Rhodes Prize) and attained full sporting colours for tennis, cricket, rugby union and boxing. In December 1939, Hay graduated as Dux from the Royal Military College of Australia, Duntroon.

On 8 April 1944 – the (Holy) Saturday of Easter – at St. John's Church of England (Anglican), Canberra, ACT, Robert married Endrée Patricia McGovern. He was an Army Major (NX125427) by then at 24, and she was 21. The wedding was celebrated by the Ven. Archdeacon Robertson. A feature (nla.gov.au) of the reception was the cutting of the wedding cake with the Sword of Honour. Robert was attended by his younger brother, Private Ian MacArthur Hay (NX132104/N163236) and Captain K. Miles, both AIF.

During their marriage, Bob and Endrée had four children.

[Endrée Patricia McGovern (1923-2016) was a daughter of Sir Patrick Silvesta McGovern (adb.anu.edu.au), twice Commissioner of Tax in Canberra, and Lady McGovern. Her sister Lesley Jean McGovern (1924?-2020) married 'Bill' Hay and had two children.]

Gazetted on 6 March 1947 (www.awm.gov.au), for his 'Meritorious Service in New Guinea: Sept 1942-Dec 1943', Hay (NX125427) was awarded an M.B.E (Member of the Order of the British Empire). The citation for this award stated he was an “officer of exceptional ability and efficiency”. He was also made temporary Lieutenant Colonel, aged just 27. 

Hay rose in rank to become Australia’s most senior soldier. During the WWII he held various appointments, serving in Australia, New Guinea, the Philippines and Japan.  

In December 1956, at just 36 and holding the rank of Colonel, Hay was appointed Military Attaché in Washington, D.C., which also involved being the Military Advisor to the Australian High Commissioner in Ottawa, Canada. These were to be two of a number of appointments which were to be of a diplomatic as well as a military nature.

A significant appointment in his career occurred in March 1969 when he became Commander for the Australian Force Vietnam (COMAFV).

In recognition of his distinguished service in that difficult theatre of war he was awarded the honour of Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB). From the citation (25.4.1970 (parlinfo.aph.gov.au)):

"Major-General Robert Arthur Hay graduated from the Royal Military College, Duntroon, in December 1939 and during the Second World War served in regi­mental and staff appointments with distinction and was awarded the M.B.E.

In March 1969 he was appointed Commander of the Australian Force in Vietnam (COMAFV).

In this demanding appointment he rendered distinguished service and exhibited a high degree of professional ability, devotion to duty and tenacity of purpose. He applied himself unsparingly to the task of ensuring the operational effectiveness of the Australian Forces and their safety and well-being. The harmonious relations which exist between the Australian Force and the United States and Vietnamese High Commands- are due in no small measure to the efforts of General Hay."

Robert and Endrée lived in Red Hill, Canberra, near their children and grandchildren until Bob's death in 1998 and Endrée's in 2016.