Temporary Brigadier John Field

Service number TX2002
Ranks Held Lieutenant Colonel, Temporary Brigadier
Birth Date 10/04/1899
Birth Place Australia: Victoria, Castlemaine
Death Date 12/05/1974
Death Place Australia: Victoria, Melbourne, St Kilda
Final Rank Temporary Brigadier
Service Australian Army
Units
  • 2/12th Australian Infantry Battalion
  • 7th Australian Infantry Brigade
  • Gen list
Places
Conflict/Operation Second World War, 1939-1945

Rolls

Timeline

Date of birth 10/04/1899
Date and unit at enlinstment (ORs) 1910 Sworn in as a bugler in 8th Australian Imperial Regiment.
Date commissioned 01/04/1923 Appointed lieutenant in the 7th Battalion.
Date promoted 10/07/1925 Appointed captain.
Other units 21/09/1927 40th battalion.
Other 01/12/1934 Appointed staff officer, 6th District Base.
Date promoted 30/11/1936 Appointed major to the 40th Battalion.
Other units 12/10/1939 Full time officer in the Militia, 6th District Base.
Other 1939-09-21 - 1939-11-05 Seconded as deputy adjutant and quartermaster general to the 6th Military District Headquarters.
Other units 1939-10-13 - 1942-05-08 Seconded to the Second Australian Infantry Force as a lieutenant coloneland commanding officer 2/12th Battalion.
Other 06/04/1939 Full time officer in the Militia.
Other 17/06/1940 Arrived in Scotland.
Other 15/11/1940 Arrived in the Middle East from the UK.
Other 1941-10-16 - 1941-12-20 Attended senior officers course Middle East Tactical School.
Date of honour or award 30/12/1941 Mention in Despatches.
Other units 08/05/1942 Appointed temporary brigadier and commander of the 7th Brigade.
Other 11/07/1942 Arrived in New Guinea.
Date returned to Australia 29/03/1942
Other 1943-01-14 - 1943-01-09 Attached to Headquarters, 11th Division.
Date returned to Australia 03/04/1943 Returned to Townsville.
Other 1943-11-09 - 1943-11-24 Injury, torn calf muscle.
Other 31/12/1943 Returned to Townsville.
Date of honour or award 02/09/1943 Efficiency Decoration.
Other 1943-04-02 - 1943-05-03 Attended senior officers artillery course, Puckapunyal.
Other 07/05/1943 Arrived in New Guinea.
Date of honour or award 08/06/1943 Companion of the Distinguished Service Order. 'For valuable and meritorious service while in Comd. of MILNE FORCE from 11 July 42 to 23 Aug. 42, when he handed over command. With very limited resources he most ably initiated and supervised the establishment and development of the manifold and varied installations associated with the creation of new defences and ancillary organisations under very difficult climatic conditions in almost virgin country. In this regard he showed marked energy, abili
Other 06/10/1944 Arrived in Bougainville.
Other 20/07/1944 Arrived in Moresby.
Date promoted 01/09/1944 Appointed colonel, retained rank of temporary brigadier.
Other units 1944-03-31 - 1944-07-17 Administering command of the 3rd Division.
Other 1944-04-17 - 1944-06-26 Attached to Headquarters 3rd Division.
Other 14/10/1945 Special Duty, Coordinator of Demobilisation and Dispersal.
Other 02/07/1945 Arrived in Bougainville.
Other 06/07/1945 Attached to Headquarters, 3rd Division.
Date returned to Australia 25/05/1945 Returned to Brisbane.
Other 14/10/1945 Relinquished command of the 7th Brigade.
Date returned to Australia 02/10/1945 Returned to Brisbane.
Date of honour or award 21/02/1946 Commander of the Order of the British Empire. 'Brig Field as Commander 7 Aust Inf Bde has displayed outstanding powers of leadership and command throughout the present campaign. His cheerfulness and determination, under even the most trying conditions coupled with his unswerving loyalty and devotion to duty have been an inspiration to all ranks under his command. By his solid planning both operational and administrative his Bde was enabled to successfully undertake all operations assigned to it.
Other 27/11/1946 Appointed honourary brigadier and transferred to the Reserve of Officers.
Other 1946-01-11 - 1949-01-10 Appointed aide de camp to the Governor-General.
Date of honour or award 15/04/1947 Mention in Despatches.
Other 02/02/1948 Appointed colonel and temporary Brigadier and commander of the 4th Brigade.
Date of discharge 1949 Transferred to the Reserve of Officer.
Date of death 12/05/1974