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John Derbyshire was born in New South Wales in 1948 and completed his schooling at Ingleburn. He is the son of Infantry Officer LTCOL Max Derbyshire MC and Bar.  John graduated from the Officer Cadet School, Portsea in 1968 and was allotted to the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery.

John served in a variety of Regimental postings (both Field and Air Defence), as well as Staff appointments during a career lasting 23 years. He served in Vietnam with 4th Field Regiment (107 Field Battery), commanded the - then independent - 111 AD Bty (Lt) from January 1979 till November 1980 and graduated at the Army Staff Course held at the British Army Staff College, Camberley, UK at the end of 1982. He assumed command of 16 Air Defence Regiment in December 1986. Major occurrences during his tenure of command included the last firing of a Redeye Missile against a BATS target followed by the introduction into service of the RBS70 with integrated Friend of Foe (IFF) capability.

After leaving the Army John was employed as Regional Commander (Manager) of the South Australian/Northern Territory Region of the Australian Protective Service for five years. He then won appointment to the position of Chief Executive Officer/Chief Officer of the South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service. As a result of this career path he is able to say that he satisfied every little boy’s dream, having been a soldier, policeman and fireman. 

Colonel Derbyshire was appointed Colonel Commandant, Central Region in January 1996 and filled that position for six years.

John was the Chief Commissioner of Scouts Australia, (SA Branch) during the period 2006-2012 leading a team of 1700 volunteer Scout Leaders who - in turn – assisted with the development of over 8000 youth members. His interests include Rugby Union, golf, furniture restoration and reading.