major general december june australian_army officer fought second world wars born melbourne graduated commissioned lieutenant served field artillery 2nd division world war remaining military interwar period held number ordnance artillery australia england early years second world war served master general ordnance later commanded 5th 7th divisions new_guinea borneo campaigns accepted surrender japanese forces dutch borneo september retired army illness later found died age early life born immigrants england december melbourne attended encouraged entered military career world war following graduation commissioned lieutenant assigned serving initially middle_east posted western march held regimental staff positions wounded september time promoted major wounds evacuated england treatment recovery returned command 11th battery february recommended awarded mention despatches efforts controlling artillery support operations battle interwar period opted undertake training ordnance england war married time held number ordnance related england australia attended served time chairman dedicated hardware general stores clothing seven committees dedicated specific area defence resources reported time outbreak second world war director artillery army headquarters melbourne posted years second world war march assigned newly formed commander division artillery number officers appointed division traveled middle_east october destined spend weeks position recalled australia january post master general ordnance promoted temporary major general graduate reach rank general new appointment tasked private government manufacturers producers provide support australia soldiers home overseas involved committee investigating supply requirements services available resources development new weapons owen gun australian designed manufactured gun brought attention initially favoured use proved reliable owen new_guinea campaign commander based queensland intended operations landed elements division bay eastern tip new_guinea january began operations nearby island recently captured japanese small australian garrison present guard attempt enemy dummy buildings fortifications built japanese impression australian presence greater actually attempting retake island april japanese threat air strip construction late august 5th division moved replace participating campaign tasked continuing offensive operations japanese divert resources away nearby japanese base town neighbouring commenced attack capture september landing east town begin movement 5th division moved eventually fell australians september intended large base allied forces region lieutenant general inspected area immediately following capture deemed suitable instead herring directed establish base newly captured supervised construction roads supply depots november general staff officer recommended appointment commander order british empire leadership service borneo campaign july succeeded friend fellow classmate major general commander 7th division division resting australia withdrawal early new_guinea following campaign conducted aftermath capture early planning underway operation amphibious assault capture borneo originally designated operation april decided 7th division instead duly embarked staging post assault operation largest amphibious operation mounted australian military despite opposition american naval commanders providing support operation decided land forces southern suburb heavily defended suitable beaches landing troops landing hoped achieve tactical surprise anticipated fire support united_states navy help counter coastal defences japanese battle began july naval barrage landing area supported bombers royal_australian_air_force division landing relatively unopposed mid morning secure generals inspection area late stage war clear war soon end extensive use divisional artillery raised earlier spell division risk soldiers lives july secure japanese retreating borneo ordered halt offensive action instructed outlying forces hold position concluding successful operation war rapidly drawing close surrender august ordered accept surrender representative commander japanese forces numbered troops dutch borneo september observed surrender japanese military governor area vice admiral ceremony held aboard anchored coast dutch borneo later life remained commander 7th division occupation force march returned melbourne replacing major general deputy chief general staff march appointment adjutant general followed retired april ill health incorrect diagnosis cancer recommended appointment companion order bath leadership operation duly presented order died melbourne june survived son graduate
Edward Milford