
Robert has over 36 years’ experience in Defence – 8 years with the British Army with the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (REME) and 28 years with BAE Systems - formerly known as British Aerospace. He has held a number of senior Program Manager roles in BAE Systems, and is currently responsible for managing the Land Platforms part of Land Systems business.
Robert has a Master’s degree in Business Management as well as mechanical qualifications for military wheeled vehicles and heavy tracked vehicles. He also served as a Director of the UK Association for Project Management (APM) between 2006 & 2008. He was awarded a Fellowship of the APM 2007 in recognition for supporting development of Project Management capability across UK industry, and became a Fellow of the Australian Institute for Management (AIM) in 2015.
Robert is married to Andrea Woods, who is also a service member (ex-Army Reservist) and volunteer at the Semaphore & Port Adelaide RSL and they live in Exeter. Robert is passionate about supporting our sub-branch and through BAE Systems became the club’s Diamond sponsor in 2015. Robert strongly believes in ‘giving back’ to the community, and since arriving in Australia 8 years ago he has spent 4 years as an active member of the Volunteer Coast Guard, 2 years working for STAR Inc. visiting socially isolated people, and is currently a
volunteer for St Johns Ambulance.

Date of birth 27th April 1886, Alberton Son of William Henry Betts & Elizabeth nee Fosdike Religion Church of England Occupation Medical practitioner Address Maitland, South Australia Marital…

He was Mentioned in Despatches and was awarded the Military Cross (with Bar) on 14 December 1916, and the Distinguished…

Accepted in July 1917 into the Officer Cadet Wing, he was posted in November to No. 58 Squadron, a newly…
Regimental number 2433 Religion Church of England Occupation Sailor Address Military Road, Largs Bay, South Australia Marital status Single Age at embarkation 28 Next of kin Father, Henry Babbington Thurgaland, Largs Bay, South…