Dear members,

It is with great sadness that I advise that Captain Timothy Richard Duchesne RAN (Ret’d) passed away on Friday, 10 April 2026.

He had a very distinguished naval career in both the British and Australian navies before he became Registrar of the NSW Bar Association.

In October 1967, Tim transferred to the Royal Australian Navy from the Royal Navy as the Australian Submarine Service’s Operations Officer, based at HMAS Platypus in Sydney. In 1969, he assumed command of HMAS Otway as the submarine’s second commanding officer. His skill and leadership saw him promoted to commander in December 1971 and selected for the Australian Defence Force’s Joint Service Staff Course in 1972. Upon completing the Staff Course, Tim became Commander of the Australian Submarine Squadron (COMAUSSUBRON), remaining in that position for three years.

After a series of Navy Office postings—including as Director of Submarine Policy, where he was promoted to captain in 1979—Tim returned to the squadron as COMAUSSUBRON in January 1982. He remained in that role until his retirement from the RAN in January 1985.

Tim served as Registrar of the NSW Bar Association from 1985 until 1992 and was made a Life Member of the Bar Association on 13 August 1992.

A funeral will be held on Wednesday, 22 April at 10.30am at The Garrison Church, 60 Lower Fort Street, Millers Point.

Regards Simon Cullen

Rear Admiral RAN (Ret’d)

President, Naval Officers Association of Australia