Housewife : Lieutenant E A Withington, 37/52 Battalion, AIF

Khaki cotton housewife roll, with cotton tape ties, blue flannel needle holder, ten small and six large plastic spare buttons in a paper envelope, and a skein of khaki wool. The maker's details are stamped in black ink on the inside of the housewife.

Associated with the service of VX101971 Lieutenant Edward Alexander Withington. Withington was born in Brunswick, Victoria on 11 September 1916 and enlisted in 14 Infantry Battalion, Citizen Military Force in July 1935, with the service number 3334. He subsequently transferred to the Permanent Military Force on 9 January 1939 he was appointed to the Australian Instructional Corps and posted to 2 Australian Army Training School. At the outbreak of the Second World War, Withington was stationed in Albury, NSW and began to raise guards for the Hume Weir, Ammunition Depot and Railway Bridge over the Murray River. He was commissioned as a lieutenant in May 1941 and transferred to the Australian Imperial Force on 8 July 1942.

Withington continued to serve as an instructor with 2 Australian Army Training School until mid 1943, when he transferred to the 37th/52nd Australian Infantry Battalion. This unit had relocated to Milne Bay, New Guinea, the previous March, and Withington joined them as a platoon commander, arriving in New Guinea on 23 July. At that time the 37th/52nd Battalion, as a part of 4 Brigade, was carrying out intensive jungle training, conducting patrols, and was used as a source of labour for work parties. In September, the Brigade left Milne Bay for Lae, where they protected Red Beach and supported the 9th Division in preparation for the Huon Peninsula campaign. After patrolling the rugged country behind Sattelberg, from December to April 1944, the 4th Brigade pushed on to Gusika, Lakona, and Fortification Point. The 37th/52nd participated in the advance to Sio, also landing on Karkar Island. Between April and August it garrisoned the Madang area and carried out numerous patrols.

Withington returned to Australia on 26 August 1944, with the remainder of the unit following soon after. The 37th/52nd regrouped for further training at Strathpine, Queensland, before returning to overseas service. Arriving in New Britain on 19 February 1945, 4 Brigade was able to confine the Japanese to Rabaul and the Gazelle Peninsula. However the 37th/52nd actively engaged the Japanese in May, when it relieved the 6th Brigade's 36th Battalion at Open Bay.

Following Japan's surrender, 4 Brigade moved into Rabaul as part of the occupation force. Men from the 37th/52nd were gradually discharged or transferred, with Withington embarking for Australia on 2 May 1946. After the battalion was disbanded in Brisbane the following month, he transferred to Headquarters Southern Command.

Withington was subsequently posted to the School of Australian Armoured Corps before transferring to Army Headquarters as Deputy Assistant Military Secretary. He served in this role for eleven years, seeing overseas service in Singapore in 1964 and 1965. Withington, now with the rank of major, then proceeded to join the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation as a Military Observer.

Withington was recommended for a Member of the Order of the British Empire on 15 July 1970 by Brigadier Frederick Thomas Whitelaw. Withington's citation noted that 'Throughout 35 years of continuous service to his country, Major Withington has set an example for others to follow in keeping with the highest traditions for the Australian Army'. Withington's award was gazetted in the 1971 New Years Honours List (Military Division). He was discharged on 18 May 1973 and placed on the retired list.