BASSAM Warren Francis
army officer and professional association executive 1935-
Warren Bassam was born at Auburn NSW into a large family, the youngest of seven. He left high school at 14 to become a retail trainee, while also managing tennis courts as a sideline and playing pennant tennis.
He entered the army through OCS Portsea, graduating in 1954 into the Australian Staff Corps and being allocated to RAASC. Following the usual five month post graduate course at the RAASC Centre Puckapunyal he spent two years as a platoon commander at 20 NS Trg Bn, followed by 107 Sup Dep Pl Darwin, and Instructor with 2 Div Colm RAASC Sydney. During this early service he matriculated in Victoria and commenced part time studies at University of Queensland.
On promotion to captain Warren became OC 121 Sup Dep Pl Singleton, then 2ic 107 Coy RAASC Townsville 1962-64. After this he began two years in Malaysia with 3 Coy RASC, including a secondment to Labuan as OC of a UK Supply Depot and attachment to and Air Dispatch unit during Confrontation. After a brief attachment to AAFV and service with US Army advisers in the Mekong Delta, he was promoted to major and through 1967-70 commanded 2 Sup Dep Randwick, the principal support depot for Australian Force Vietnam.
Two postings followed in rapid succession: as OC HQ 37 Sup Coy which was deployed for five months to Malaysia commanding a UK, NZ and Australian Logistic Support Unit supporting 1 RAR and 9 Royal Malay Regiment; and DADST in HQ Eastern Command. He was then selected to attend the Staff College Quetta – the first RAASC officer to do so.
On return to Australia in 1972 he was posted DAQMG DAW AHQ Canberra, then on promotion to lieutenant colonel as CTMO 3 Mov & Tpt Gp Melbourne, following the Corps change to RACT. In 1975 he became Deputy Commander 6 MD Hobart, coordinating the Jubilee Royal Visit of the Queen and also the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. His last two years were as SO1 Projects in Materiel Branch and a final posting as SO1 Coord to the Chief of Logistics.
Warren left the Regular Army after 25 years service to take up appointment as National Executive Director of the Australian Veterinary Association, which extended to 12 years, and was given a Meritorious Service Award as well as honorary membership. He then spent three years as CEO of the Nursery Industry Association of Australia.
He also spent 12 years with Rotary and was President of one of Sydney's largest clubs. He remains a member of the RAASC and RACT associations as well as the Air Dispatch Association and the Duntroon Society. Warren has had the pleasure of serving with many fine soldiers both within and outside the Corps and never regretted his decision to enter OCS Portsea and the Corps. He was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct 1971.
Always an avid sportsman from his high school days of cricket, rugby and athletics, he continued on to inter-service tennis, cricket and rugby, and captained the UK cricket team in the 28 Brigade competition in Malaysia.
In 1959 he married Patricia (Trish) whom he had known from her teens: they had four sons, all now with professional vocations.