15 June 2023
Golf, home renovations and travel are now the order of the day for Major Richard (Dick) Lindsay Stanworth after 50 years of Army life.
Major Stanworth was presented with his third Federation Star by Major General Scott Winter, Commander Headquarters 1 Division, during a ceremony at Gallipoli Barracks on May 30.
The rare honour recognises half a century of service and dedication to the nation.
It caps a remarkable career for Major Stanworth, who enlisted on August 15, 1972, and was allocated to the Royal Australian Infantry Corps.
“My father had served in the Royal Air Force during World War 2,” Major Stanworth said.
“He came here as a 10-pound Pom. And I started in school cadets initially, and then he proposed, ‘If you enjoyed that, why not join the Army?’”
He was promoted through the ranks from private to major during regimental duties in 9th Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment, and 25th Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment.
Major Stanworth served as an instructor with the Land Warfare Centre and as a staff officer in Australia and overseas.
His postings included Headquarters 1 Division, Headquarters 7th Brigade, the Career Management Agency and the Combat Services Unit.
He deployed on Operation Bel Isi in Bougainville, Operation Catalyst in Iraq, Operation Pakistan Assist, Operation Slipper in Afghanistan, as well as domestic operations.
Major Stanworth said the biggest advancement during his 50 years of service had been the rapid development of technology, noting with a laugh how things had changed.
“I think it’s mainly the weaponry. The vehicles and technology have made a huge difference in everything we do,” he said.
“I can still remember when we got our first photocopier in the unit. We all went ‘Wow, a photocopier’.”
Major Stanworth’s third Federation Star will be added to his other honours and awards, including the Army Combat Badge, Australian Active Service Medal, the NATO Medal, the Iraq Medal, the National Medal and the Australian Defence Medal.
He also has two Bronze Commendations and a Queensland Police Service Commonwealth Games Citation.
Retirement has provided Major Stanworth with more time for leisure as well as a few projects around the house.
“I’m playing a bit more golf than I was before,” he said.
“We’re in the process of doing some refurbishments on our house, and a bit of travel is on the horizon.”
