David joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1975 as a General Entry Recruit Communications sailor and left the RAN in 1996 as a Chief Petty Officer Signals Yeoman. During his career he served in HMA Ships Melbourne, Adelaide, Vampire, Brisbane and Success. Shore postings included HMAS Cerberus, Kuttabul, Harman, Encounter and Navy Office Canberra.

On leaving the Navy David gained qualifications in Business and Human Resource Management and is currently the Human Resource Manager for Ensign International Energy Services, the world’s third largest onshore oil and gas drilling contractor. David is a former State Secretary of the Naval Association of Australia and was South Australian State President between 2007 and 2012. In 2009 he was appointed as an inaugural member of the State Government’s Veterans’ Advisory Council (VAC) and
served on that council for 3 years.

David has been a member of the RSL since 1995 and his wife Candy (who served as a Reserve in the WRANS) is also a member of the sub-branch committee. They live in Semaphore Park and have 2 adult children.