33 Facts About Kenneth Eather

Kenneth Eather was the last Australian officer to be promoted to the rank of major general during the Second World War, and when he died in 1993 he was Australia's last surviving general of that war.

Kenneth William Eather was born in Sydney, New South Wales on 6 July 1901, the eldest and only son and the first of three children of William Eather, a property manager, and his wife Isabella Theresa nee Lees.

Kenneth Eather left school at the age of 14 and became a dental mechanic, establishing a successful private practice.

Kenneth Eather was commissioned as a lieutenant in the 53rd Infantry Battalion on 31 May 1923.

Kenneth Eather transferred to the 56th Infantry Battalion on 1 July 1925 and was promoted to captain on 23 February 1926, major on 27 November 1928, and lieutenant colonel on 1 July 1935.

Kenneth Eather commanded the 56th Infantry Battalion from 1 July 1933 to 31 July 1937 and then the 3rd Infantry Battalion from 1 August 1937 until 1 August 1938, when he was placed on the unattached list.

Kenneth Eather enlisted in the Second Australian Imperial Force and received the serial number NX3.

Training continued in Palestine, with Kenneth Eather emphasising mobile warfare rather than re-hashing the tactics of trench warfare from World War I, unlike some other battalion commanders with experience in that war.

Kenneth Eather attended the senior officers course at Middle East Tactical School in November and December 1940.

Kenneth Eather's careful planning of the initial attack was a masterpiece that can well be followed by others, and contributed largely to the success of the whole battle.

Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Eather was on the spot and his coolness, and advice restored confidence in the sergeant in charge of the party.

On resuming command, Kenneth Eather was left to rebuild his battalion.

From 18 June to 13 August 1941, Kenneth Eather was acting commander of the 16th Infantry Brigade.

In "recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East", Kenneth Eather was mentioned in despatches.

Kenneth Eather's forces met the Japanese in the Battle of Ioribaiwa.

Kenneth Eather's forces moved back to Imita Ridge, a naturally strong position, from which they held the Japanese to their southernmost land-based advance of the war, supported by battery of 25 pounders, which had been brought up the Track.

Kenneth Eather pressed on the coast, where the 25th Infantry Brigade encountered well-prepared Japanese positions in the Battle of Buna-Gona.

Kenneth Eather's men suffered heavy casualties from the enemy and tropical diseases, the 25th Infantry Brigade being almost wiped out.

Kenneth Eather would have a series of relapses of the disease.

Kenneth Eather was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Kenneth Eather came up in his jeep and started urging them to hurry up.

Kenneth Eather was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath.

Kenneth Eather was only in command for a few weeks however before Japan surrendered.

Kenneth Eather then became responsible for over 100,000 Japanese prisoners in the Rabaul area.

Kenneth Eather oversaw war crimes trials and their repatriation to Japan.

Kenneth Eather was chosen to head the Australian contingent of 250 servicemen and women, drawn from the three services.

Kenneth Eather refused to lay any charges or offer an apology to the indignant British authorities.

Kenneth Eather retired from the Army on 18 September 1946 and became a poultry farmer in Penrith, New South Wales.

Kenneth Eather became active in the Primary Producer's Association of New South Wales and was elected its president in 1953, a position he held for the next five years.

Kenneth Eather treated Kathleen's son, Captain Owen Eather, an army officer and Vietnam War veteran, as his own son.

Kenneth Eather continued to lead Anzac Day marches through Sydney until 1992.

Kenneth Eather died at a nursing home in Mosman, New South Wales on 9 May 1993.

Some 1,000 veterans lined George Street, Sydney to pay their last respects to Kenneth Eather, who was cremated at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium.