Kenneth Eather
Kenneth William Eather | |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | "Ken" "28 days" "February" "Phar Lap" |
Born | Sydney, New South Wales | 6 July 1901
Died | 9 May 1993 Mosman, New South Wales | (aged 91)
Allegiance | Australia |
Service/ | Australian Army |
Years of service | 1923–1946 |
Rank | Major General |
Service number | NX3 |
Commands held | 11th Division (1945–46) 25th Infantry Brigade (1941–45) 16th Infantry Brigade (1941) 2/1st Infantry Battalion (1939–41) 3rd Infantry Battalion (1937–38) 56th Infantry Battalion (1935–37) |
Battles/wars | Second World War
|
Awards | Distinguished Service Cross (United States) |
Other work | State President, New South Wales Primary Producers Association Director, Water Research Foundation of Australia |
Education and early life
Kenneth William Eather was born in
Eather was commissioned as a
Second World War
Following the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939, Eather was chosen by
The 2/1st Infantry Battalion was formed from recruits from
Libya
In December 1940, the 2/1st Infantry Battalion was chosen to spearhead the attack on Bardia. Eather led from the front. For his part in the battle he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. His citation read:
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack on BARDIA during the period from 2 Jan 41 to 5 Jan 41. He gallantly and successfully led his battalion in a night attack on 2/3 Jan 41 captured all objectives and several thousands of prisoners. On 4 Jan 41 he continued to lead his battalion with great daring and exploited the success of the first day and again captured several thousands of prisoners. On morning of 5 Jan 41 he again led his Bn. and completed the capture of the sector allotted to his battalion in the NORTHERN sector of the BARDIA perimeter. During the whole period of the attack, Lieutenant Colonel Eather set a fine example of initiative which was an inspiration to his battalion, and his general bearing throughout brought forth the admiration of his men. His 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. During the initial attack the Officer in charge of Bangalore torpedoes was wounded and it looked as if things might go wrong. Lieutenant Colonel Eather was on the spot and his coolness, and advice restored confidence in the sergeant in charge of the party. At mid-day 4 Jan 41 when the advance, in part of his sector appeared to have been held up, he moved forward to ascertain the reason. After a quick appreciation he picked up a rifle and with a light machine gun detachment, moved forward to a suitable position, which he held thus restoring the confidence of his men, and brought the company forward.[6]
Eather went on to lead the 2/1st in the
Papua New Guinea – Kokoda Trail, Buna, Gona
The 25th Infantry Brigade arrived in
Eather's forces met the Japanese in the
Approving Eather's withdrawal, Allen told him that there could be no further withdrawal from Imita: "You'll die where you stand." "Don't worry Tubby", Eather replied, "the only people who will die will be the Japs."[19]
Thus began the long, hard reversal of pushing the Japanese back to the north coast from whence they had first come. Eather's force now began to push the Japanese back over the mountains, but slowly through the thick, slimy jungles.
In November, the 25th Infantry Brigade engaged the Japanese in the Battle of Oivi-Gorari. This time the outcome was very different from Ioribaiwa, and Eather won an important advance at low cost.[22]
Eather pressed on the coast, where the 25th Infantry Brigade encountered well-prepared Japanese positions in the
Eather was awarded the United States Distinguished Service Cross "for extraordinary heroism in action in New Guinea, during the Papuan campaign, 23 July 1942, to 8 January 1943. As Commander 25th Infantry Brigade, Australian Army, Brigadier Eather displayed extraordinary courage, marked efficiency and precise execution of operations during the Papuan campaign".[6]
He was also appointed a
For gallant leadership, outstanding devotion to duty, sustained untiring effort and conspicuous skill and ability in the OWEN STANLEY RANGE, NEW GUINEA, CAMPAIGN during the period from 12 Sep 42 to 29 Oct 42. Brigadier EATHER led his Brigade in the successful attack on IORIBAIWA Ridge and the subsequent advance to ALOLA. During this advance his brigade was successful in several attacks on the enemy's strongly defended positions in the TEMPLETONS CROSSING area. Throughout this arduous campaign Brigadier EATHER set an example of tenacity and endurance which was an inspiration to all who came within his influence and he efficiently demonstrated that he was at all times in complete control of the situation which confronted him, proving himself a commander who at all times was able to display sound judgement, coolness and mental clarity which were conducive to excellent planning and quick decisions.[6]
Papua New Guinea – Lae
After a period of rest on the Atherton Tableland, the 25th Infantry Brigade returned to Port Moresby in July 1943.[26] Following the landing at Nadzab by American paratroops, the brigade began to fly in to Nadzab. Due to the unpredictable weather, aircraft arrived at Nadzab sporadically and only the 2/25th Infantry Battalion and part of the 2/33rd had reached Nadzab by the morning of 8 September when Vasey ordered Eather to initiate the advance on Lae.[27] As the diggers moved down the Markham Valley Road they occasionally encountered sick Japanese soldiers who held the column momentarily. Eather came up in his jeep and started urging them to hurry up. They were unimpressed. Eather, armed with a pistol, then acted as leading scout, with his troops following in a column of route behind him. The column entered Lae unopposed by the Japanese only to be strafed by the United States Fifth Air Force and shelled by Australian artillery.[28] For his emphasis on speed, his troops nicknamed him "Phar Lap", after the famous race horse.[29] For his part in the campaign in New Guinea, Eather was mentioned in despatches a second time.[30]
After Lae was liberated from Japanese occupation, 7th Division's Brigadier Eather set off by jeep to replace the Japanese flag on Mount Lunaman Voco Pointwith the Australian flag.[31]
Borneo
In his next campaign in Borneo, however, Eather dispensed with speed in favour of a systemic advance making maximum use of firepower.[32] He was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath.[33] His citation read:
BRIGADIER K. W. EATHER commanded 25th Australian Infantry Brigade at the assault on BALIKPAPAN. Landing on 2 July he became responsible for the sector including the BALIKPAPAN-SMARINDA Road, to become the main axis of enemy strength. The enemy quickly recovered from his confusion caused by the preliminary bombardment and assault and formed strong rearguards supported by artillery and determined to fight to the death to resist our further advance in this area. Brigadier EATHER with his brigade trained and fit to a very high degree relentlessly forced the enemy back, inflicting heavy casualties, and permitting little time for the enemy to readjust his forces. Brigadier EATHER by his capacity to command, by his drive and by the skill with which he manoeuvred his brigades contributed in no small measure to the final defeat of the enemy at BALIKPAPAN.[6]
New Britain
In July 1945, Blamey appointed Eather to command the 11th Division, with the rank of major general.[34] The 11th Division was then engaged with the Japanese on New Britain. He was only in command for a few weeks however before Japan surrendered. Eather then became responsible for over 100,000 Japanese prisoners in the Rabaul area. He oversaw war crimes trials and their repatriation to Japan.[35]
Victory March
In 1946, the British government decided to hold a
Later life
Eather retired from the Army on 18 September 1946 and became a poultry farmer in Penrith, New South Wales. He 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. However, the death of his son Ken in a motorcycle accident led him to reconsider life as a farmer. In 1958, he became the head of the Water Research Foundation of Australia, and organisation that dispensed funding to researchers investigating water related issues.[37]
Eather's wife Adeline died in 1966. In 1968 he married Kathleen Carroll. He treated Kathleen's son, Captain Owen Eather, an army officer and
Eather died at a nursing home in
Notes
- ^ Eather 2003, pp. 2–5
- ^ a b The Army List of Officers of the Australian Military Forces 1946, p. 13
- ^ Eather 2003, p. 11
- ^ Eather 2003, pp. 12–15
- ^ Eather 2003, p. 16
- ^ a b c d e "NX3 / Major General Kenneth William Eather, CB, CBE, DSO". Retrieved 23 September 2009.
- ^ Eather 2003, p. 17
- ^ Eather 2003, p. 39
- ^ Long 1953, p. 315
- ^ Eather 2003, pp. 49–50
- ^ "No. 35157". The London Gazette (Supplement). 9 May 1941. p. 2645.
- ^ Eather 2003, p. 51
- ^ Eather 2003, p. 53
- ^ Eather 2003, p. 55
- ^ Eather 2003, p. 56
- ^ Ham 2005
- ^ Eather 2003, pp. 63–73
- ^ Eather 2003, pp. 73–74
- ^ Eather 2003, p. 75
- ^ Brune 2004
- ^ Eather 2003, p. 87
- ^ McCarthy 1959, pp. 322–327
- ^ McCarthy 1959, pp. 418–435
- ^ Eather 2003, pp. 123–125
- ^ "No. 36297". The London Gazette (Supplement). 21 December 1943. p. 5571.
- ^ Dexter 1961, p. 269
- ^ Dexter 1961, p. 359
- ^ Dexter 1961, pp. 387–391
- ^ Eather 2003, p. 135
- ^ "No. 36486". The London Gazette (Supplement). 25 April 1944. p. 1929.
- ^ "The Leaders". The News. Adelaide: National Library of Australia. 8 December 1944. p. 2. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
- ^ Eather 2003, p. 159
- ^ "No. 37898". The London Gazette (Supplement). 6 March 1947. p. 1085.
- ^ Eather 2003, pp. 163–164
- ^ Eather 2003, pp. 165–178
- ^ Eather 2003, pp. 179–188
- ^ Eather 2003, pp. 189–195
- ^ Eather 2003, pp. 197–200
- ^ "Military Mourns Kokoda Conqueror". Australian. 14 May 1993.
- ^ Eather 2003, p. 205
References
- The Army List of Officers of the Australian Military Forces. 1946.
- Dexter, David (1961). The New Guinea Offensives. Australia in the War of 1939–1945. Canberra: Australian War Memorial.
- Eather, Steve (2003). Desert Sands, Jungle Lands: A Biography of Major General Ken Eather. ISBN 978-1-74114-182-5.
- Long, Gavin (1953). Greece, Crete and Syria. Australia in the War of 1939–1945. Australian War Memorial.
- McCarthy, Dudley (1959). South-West Pacific Area — First Year: Kokoda to Wau. Australia in the War of 1939–1945. Canberra: Australian War Memorial.
- Brune, Peter (2004). A Bastard of a Place. Crows Nest, New South Wales: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-74114-403-5.
- Ham, Paul (2005). Kokoda. Australia: Harper Collins. ISBN 9780732282325.