Colonel Paul Greenhalgh graduated from RMC Duntroon in 1957. Posted to 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR), he served as a Platoon Commander in Malaya. He was then posted to 1 Special Air Service Company (SAS)as a Platoon Commander and Adjutant.
In Vietnam he was Officer Comanding (OC) Delta Company of 5 RAR during its first tour of Vietnam where he was mentioned in despatches (MID). He was an instructor at the British Army School of Infantry and following attendance at the Australian Staff College he was appointed MA to the VCGS.
He was appointed Comanding Officer of 7 RAR. In that appointment it turned out he was the last CO of 7RAR. On the 3rd of December 1973 at Holsworthy the Battalions of 5 RAR (Tigers) and 7 RAR (Pigs) linked, to become the 5th/7th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment. Colonel Greenhalgh was appointed Comanding Officer of the new battalion.
After 5/7 RAR he was Chief Instructor (CI) at Tactics Wing at Canungra. He was then chosen to attend a course at the US Armed forces Staff College followed by a posting as Assistant Army Attaché in Washington DC. He retired from the army in 1981 and was, for 12 years, CEO of The Australian Gas Association. 1991 he was awarded AGA’s Golden Flame award for outstanding service to the Gas Industry. He now operates an art framing business in Canberra.
In 1979 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).