Murray Robson

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

New South Wales Parliament
for Vaucluse
In office
29 August 1936 – 26 July 1957
Preceded byWilliam Foster
Succeeded byGeoffrey Cox
Personal details
Born(1906-03-07)7 March 1906
Second World War
Awards
Mentioned in Despatches
(3)

DSO (7 March 1906 – 26 August 1974) was an Australian lawyer, soldier and a member of the New South Wales Parliament for over twenty years. Known for most of his life as Murray Robson, he was born in Sydney and educated at Newington College and the University of Sydney, where he gained degrees in arts and law. After working several years as a solicitor, Robson stood for, and was elected to, parliament on 29 August 1936 at a by-election for the seat of Vaucluse. He served many years on the backbenches, he enlisted in World War II and served with distinction during the war, gaining promotion to lieutenant colonel and receiving the Distinguished Service Order for his service.[1]

Returning to politics, he had missed the foundation of the Liberal Party in 1945. When long-time Leader Vernon Treatt resigned the leadership in 1954 and contests between Deputy Leader Robert Askin and Pat Morton became deadlocked he was asked to stand and was consequently elected as party leader and Leader of the Opposition. He served little more than a year before he was deposed by Pat Morton. In 1957 he retired from politics and returned to his legal career before retiring. He died of a heart attack in August 1974.[2]

Early life

Murray Robson was born in

St. Paul's College.[5][6]

Robson was admitted as a solicitor on 4 June 1930 and practised with his father at Robson & Cowlishaw. He married Lesley Alison Martin in 1931 at St Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Sydney and had two sons.[2] When sitting United Australia Party (UAP) MP William Foster died in office, Robson stood as an Independent UAP candidate at the resulting by-election in Foster's vacated Legislative Assembly seat of Vaucluse. At the by-election on 29 August 1936, he emerged successful, with 62.63% of the vote, becoming the third generation of his family to serve in the NSW Parliament.[7]

Soon after his election Robson joined the UAP but soon joined a group of government backbenchers who were unhappy with the Bertram Stevens government's economic management and the party's control over preselection, becoming prominent in the struggle that led to the resignation of the Premier Stevens and his replacement by Alexander Mair in August 1939.[2] At the 4 March 1938 election, Robson retained his seat uncontested.[8]

Military career

When the

captain.[10]

In June 1941 Captain Robson received a shrapnel wound to the foot while fighting in

Brisbane, Queensland, on 8 January 1943. On 11 June 1943, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and given command of the 2/31st Battalion.[10]

Lt.Col. Robson receiving the surrender from Major General Uno in Bandjermasin on 17 September 1945.

In August 1943 Robson sailed with his unit to

Mentioned in Despatches three times.[11][12][13] On 6 March 1945 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, on a recommendation by his Commanding officer, Major General George Alan Vasey.[14]

DSO citation

Government House, Canberra. 27th April, 1944.

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve that the following be Mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the South-West Pacific: — Lt.Col. E. M. Robson (NX 349).

For courage, coolness, determination and resourceful leadership in the field. Throughout the New Guinea Campaign Lieut-Col Robson was outstanding in his leadership. His efficient handling of his command down Markham Valley to Lae, when his battalion carried out a major outflanking movement, was largely responsible for the rapid overpowering and destruction of the enemy. During the four months of the campaign, he continually made his early recess, and was constantly among his most forward troops. By his actions he inspired complete confidence in all under his command.

— (Sgd) G.A.Vasey, Maj-Gen. GOC 7 Aust. Div. 27 Feb. 1944[10]

In July 1945 he led his unit in the invasion of

Borneo, and in September accepted the surrender of Japanese forces under Major General Michio Uno at Bandjermasin in the Dutch East Indies. Relinquishing command, he returned to Sydney and was placed on the Reserve of Officers in November before being discharged on 21 November 1945.[15]

Post-war career

Upon demobilisation, Robson returned to his political career. His long absence during his war service had put pressure on his marriage and ended when his wife divorced him in 1947. He remarried soon after to Naomi Priscilla Gee at St Peter's Anglican Church,

Liberal Party in 1945. He retained his seat at the election on 3 May 1947, assisted by a young Robert Askin, a former Sergeant in his battalion. Robson retained his seat again with 67.39%.[16] He later supported Askin in his bid to enter the Parliament in 1950.[2] Robson was re-elected with 68.37%.[17] He was returned again at the 14 February 1953 election unopposed.[18]

In August 1954, after the long-serving leader, Vernon Treatt, announced his intention to resign, and now-Deputy-Leader Askin and Pat Morton had tied in a vote to succeed him, Robson was persuaded by Askin to accept the Leadership of the Liberal Party as a compromise candidate.[19] Like other senior members of the party, after having no conservative government since Alexander Mair in 1941, Robson had no experience in government, he had little interest in policy except for Cold War anti-communism, ignored majority views of his party and fellow parliamentary colleagues and further alienated party members by trying to forge a closer alliance with Michael Bruxner's Country Party.[20]

Over a year after he assumed the leadership, at a party meeting on 20 September 1955, senior party member Ken McCaw moved that the leadership be declared vacant, citing that Robson's leadership lacked the qualities necessary for winning the next election. The motion was carried 15 votes to 5. Robson then moved a motion to prevent Pat Morton, who was the only person nominated for leader, from taking the leadership. This was defeated 16 votes to 6 and Morton was elected unopposed as leader, with Robert Askin remaining as Deputy Leader. Robson retorted that there had been a "continuous intrigue" against his leadership.[20] He was returned for the last time at the 3 March 1956 election with 71.41%.[21] Robson, however, did not stay long afterward; on 26 July 1957, he resigned his seat,[1] and returned to his legal practice until he retired.[2]

Later life

At the resulting

Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1966 New Year Honours,[23] On 26 August 1974, Robson died of a heart attack at his Rose Bay home, survived by his second wife and both his sons.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Ewan Murray Robson (1906–1974)". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  2. ^
    ISSN 1833-7538
    . Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  3. ^ "Mr William Elliot Veitch Robson (1869-1951)". Members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  4. ^ "Mr William Robson (1843-1920)". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  5. ^ Newington College, "Register of Past Students" 1863–1998 (Syd, 1999) pg. 168
  6. ^ "Ewan Robson". Alumni Sidneienses. University of Sydney. Archived from the original on 18 July 2008. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
  7. ^ Green, Antony. "1936 Vaucluse by-election". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  8. ^ Green, Antony. "1938 Vaucluse". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  9. Sydney Morning Herald
    . 25 January 1940. p. 11. Retrieved 12 January 2011 – via Trove.
  10. ^ a b c "Ewan Murray Robson", 1939–1948 National Archives Service records
  11. ^ "No. 36297". The London Gazette (Supplement). 21 December 1943. p. 5575.
  12. ^ "No. 36486". The London Gazette (Supplement). 25 April 1944. p. 1929.
  13. ^ "No. 37898". The London Gazette (Supplement). 4 March 1947. p. 1091.
  14. ^ "No. 36972". The London Gazette (Supplement). 6 March 1945. p. 1304.
  15. ^ World War II Nominal Roll: Robson, Ewan Murray – Army Service
  16. ^ Green, Antony. "1947 Vaucluse". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  17. ^ Green, Antony. "1950 Vaucluse". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  18. ^ Green, Antony. "1953 Vaucluse". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  19. Sydney Morning Herald
    . 18 August 1954. p. 1. Retrieved 15 January 2011 – via Trove.
  20. ^
    ISBN 978-1-86287-659-0
    .
  21. ^ Green, Antony. "1956 Vaucluse". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  22. ^ Green, Antony. "1957 Vaucluse by-election". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  23. ^ "No. 43854". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 1965. p. 23.

 

New South Wales Legislative Assembly
Preceded by Member for Vaucluse
1936–1957 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Leader of the Opposition of New South Wales
1954–1955 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by
Leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party

1954–1955 		Succeeded by
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