20 Facts About Cyril Clowes

Cyril Clowes won the first land victory against the Japanese in the Second World War, at the Battle of Milne Bay, New Guinea.

Cyril Clowes received a promotion to major in January 1917 and the following year was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his work at Villers-Bretonneux.

Cyril Clowes returned to Australia in April 1919, by which time the war was over due to the armistice of 11 November 1918, and left the AIF in late June.

In 1920 Cyril Clowes took up a post as instructor at Duntroon, and remained there until 1925.

Cyril Clowes filled similar positions in Sydney and Darwin until, in 1936, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel.

Cyril Clowes went to England and completed a gunnery staff course, before returning to Australia as the Chief Instructor at Sydney's School of Artillery.

Cyril Clowes performed very well under pressure in directing the fighting withdrawal at Pinios Gorge, Greece, in April 1941.

Cyril Clowes was successful in holding the gorge against a strong German tank attack, until the situation on other parts of the front stabilised.

Cyril Clowes returned to Australia in January 1942, was promoted to temporary Major General, and given command of the 1st Division.

Cyril Clowes's intention was to use this and other new airfields to attempt the reconquest of Rabaul, taken by the Japanese early in the war.

Once buildup was complete, the garrison assumed the name Milne Force, and Cyril Clowes, now promoted to Major General, was given command.

Cyril Clowes reached Milne Bay and assumed command of the Australian troops there just four days before the Japanese began landing, beginning the Battle of Milne Bay.

Cyril Clowes had no barges or four-wheel drive vehicles for moving troops around.

Cyril Clowes maintained a defensive perimeter there which was never penetrated, even while taking the fight to the enemy at some distance from this base.

Cyril Clowes had no choice but to heed the new intelligence, and try to relocate his forces to deal with threats that in fact did not materialise.

MacArthur and Thomas Blamey determined that rather than being commended and rewarded for the victory, Cyril Clowes should be relieved of his command and sidelined for the duration of the war, for showing insufficient "vigour".

Cyril Clowes returned to Australia in 1943 and held various postings until the end of the war.

Cyril Clowes retired from the Army with the rank of lieutenant general in June 1949.

Cyril Clowes was a man of few words to those he knew and even less to those he did not.

Cyril Clowes died on 19 May 1968 at Repatriation General Hospital, Heidelberg, Melbourne.