Allan du Toit

Du Toit was born and raised in Durban, South Africa and emigrated to Australia in early 1987. ==Naval career==

South African Navy Du Toit joined the South African Navy as a midshipman in 1975 and graduated from the South African Military Academy in 1979. Du Toit went on to serve aboard frigates, submarines and mine countermeasures vessels as a mine warfare specialist and Principal Warfare Officer and was a junior member of the directing staff at the South African Naval Staff College. In 1986 he received a Chief of the South African Navy's Commendation. Between November 2001 and March 2002 he was the RAN Task Group Commander and became the first non-United States officer to command a multinational naval force enforcing United Nations sanctions against Iraq. He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2004 Australia Day Honours in recognition of this service as Commander of the Multinational Maritime Interception Force. From September 2007 to March 2008 du Toit was the commander of Coalition Task Force 158 in the Persian Gulf. In this role he commanded forces from the United States, United Kingdom, Singapore, Iraq and Australia. and served in that role until replaced by Rear Admiral Tim Barrett on 9 February 2010. ==Education==

During his time as an officer in the South African Navy du Toit graduated from the Naval Staff College and the South African Military Academy where he received a Bachelor degree in Military Science. and is undertaking part-time doctoral study in naval history at the University College, Australian Defence Force Academy. ==Personal life==

Du Toit lives in the Huon Valley in Tasmania with his partner Carolyn, a former Australian diplomat, and her young daughter. He has two adult sons and is a keen rugby union and cricket supporter. ==Writings==

Du Toit wrote his first published book on warships when he was 15 years old; the book was later published while he was serving as a midshipman in the South African Navy. Du Toit has gone on to write two other books, one on warships and the other on South African naval history. • • • ==References==