Rob Williams

Major General Robin Guy Williams (14 August 1930 – 4 February 2023) was a New Zealand military leader. He served as Chief of the General Staff from 1981 to 1984.

Early life and family Born in Wellington on 14 August 1930, Williams was the son of John Upham Williams and Margaret Joan Williams (née Mayfield). Both of his parents were medical doctors. Williams was educated at Nelson College from 1943 to 1948.

In 1953, Williams married Jill Rollo Tyrie, and the couple went on to have three children.

Between 1977 and 1979, Williams served as Commander Field Force. He was Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Operations / Plans) from 1979 to 1980, and Deputy Chief of the General Staff in 1981. In late 1981, he succeeded Brian Poananga as Chief of the General Staff, serving in that role until December 1984, when he retired from the army. His wife, Jill, died in 2025.

Rugby union Williams represented the Royal Military College, Duntroon, at rugby union from 1949 to 1952. He played for the Australian Capital Territory in 1951 and 1952, and New South Wales Country in 1952. He was a member of the New Zealand Army and New Zealand Combined Services teams between 1953 and 1956. He was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977, In 1987, Williams was appointed an Officer of the Order of St John.