19 February 2025
As one year passed and a new year began, there was a changing of the guard in the Australian Defence Staff – London.
Brigadier Grant Mason has been the Head of Defence Staff at the High Commission in London (HADS-L) since December 2021, having overseen significant transformation and modernisation of the Australia-UK relationship with the introduction of AUKUS.
“When I started, COVID was still around, Prince Phillip had died and the UK was in the middle of extricating itself from the European Union,” he said.
It was Brigadier Mason’s third posting to the UK after being on exchange to the Royal Marines in 1999 and then as the Australian Army Liaison Officer to the British Army in 2013 at Andover.
“But nothing could really prepare me for what was to come in this role,” Brigadier Mason said.
'COVID was still around, Prince Phillip had died and the UK was in the middle of extricating itself from the European Union.'
Only a few months after starting in the role, there was The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, marking 70 years on the throne, followed seven months later with her death and funeral.
“Fortunately, we were well read into the funeral arrangements and had run a number of rehearsals ahead of time,” Brigadier Mason said.
“When we had an inkling that she wasn’t well, we set up an Operations Room in the High Commission and were ready to activate our arrangements.
“I was incredibly proud of the 39 members of the ADF who led the Queen’s funeral procession alongside colleagues from Canada and New Zealand.”
Nine months later, the King was crowned.
“There was so much joy about this occasion, bringing in a new king and working with all the Commonwealth contingents, including our own representatives from Australia," Brigadier Mason said.
"The highlight was being part of the senior leadership group who gave the King three big cheers when he returned to Buckingham Palace from Westminster Abbey.”
In the three years since starting in post, Brigadier Mason said the Australia-UK relationship had fundamentally changed with the introduction of AUKUS.
“AUKUS has super-charged our relationship – it has helped us to modernise and transform our relationship in a complicated geopolitical space," he said.
“In my nearly 35 years in the military – apart from serving in conflict zones – I have never witnessed the level activity that I have experienced in the last three years.”
In a moment of emotional reflection, he paid particular tribute to all those ADF personnel who had contributed to the war in Ukraine.
“Having fought in Afghanistan and Iraq, we are contributing to a fight that is so much more important – maintaining a rules-based global order and recognising that it’s not right for countries to force their will on another country," Brigadier Mason said.
“It’s hard to explain the immense pride I get when I see and talk to ADF personnel who are taking part in this global endeavour – their efforts will resonate for years to come.”
So what about the lighter moments?
“I believe I may have been the first officer to ever ‘coin’ The King," Brigadier Mason said.
During a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace to mark the 100th anniversary of Legacy Australia, The King’s Equerry advised Brigadier Mason to personally hand him his specially minted coin.
“On advice, I gave it to him as we were leaving but it was clear His Majesty did not know how to accept the coin in a handshake – so I had to explain," he said.
"I believe that makes me the first Australian officer to ‘coin’ The King, and potentially the first officer to ever ‘coin’ him.”
'AUKUS has super-charged our relationship – it has helped us to modernise and transform our relationship in a complicated geopolitical space.'
Brigadier Mason has now handed over responsibility to the incoming Head of Australian Defence Staff – London, Air Commodore Matt Harper.
Air Commodore Harper was formerly Commanding Officer of 3 Squadron, leading through key F-35A capability milestones and first-of-type deployments, and more recently the Director of Air Force Tactics Development and Training.
“This is an exciting time," he said.
“We’ve seen the relationship grow through Grant’s time as HADS. Continuing to support the High Commissioner to modernise our structures and processes remains the priority during a very consequential time in our bilateral relationship.”
Meanwhile, Brigadier Mason will stay on in London for another six months to conduct a lessons-learnt strategic review into the war in Ukraine, working closely with the British and Ukrainian Armed Forces.
“The use of drones, AI and autonomy has changed the character of war but I am trying to elevate our thinking further – what processes and thinking do we need to adopt in the next conflict that will give us an asymmetrical advantage,” he said.
Brigadier Mason’s report will be handed to Chief of Army in July. It is likely to be one of the inputs into the next National Defence Strategy due in 2026.
