Arthur Roden Cutler VC AK KCMG (1916-2002)

Sir Arthur Roden (Roden) Cutler VC AK KCMG

Born 24 May 1916 in Manly, New South Wales, Australia

Ancestors

Son of Arthur William Cutler and Ruby Daphne (Pope) Cutler

Brother of Harold Hamilton Cutler and Geoffrey Abbott Cutler MB BS

Husband of Helen Gray Annetta (Morris) Cutler AC DStJ — married 28 May 1946 in Woollahra, New South Wales, Australia

Husband of [private wife (1930s - unknown)]

Father of [private son (1940s - unknown)], [private son (1940s - unknown)], [private son (1950s - unknown)] and [private son (1950s - unknown)]

Died 21 Feb 2002 at age 85 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

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Profile last modified 11 May 2024 | Created 27 May 2017

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1 Biography
2 Sources

Biography

Roden Cutler VC AK KCMG is Notable.

Preceded by
Lieutenant General Sir Eric Woodward KCMG KCVO CB CBE DSO

32nd Governor of New South Wales
20 Jan 1966 to 19 Jan 1981

Succeeded by
Air Marshall Sir James Rowland AC KBE DFC AFC

Sir Roden Cutler VC AK KCMG KCVO CBE KStJ was an Australian soldier during the Second World War and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry 'in the face of the enemy' that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth armed forces. Refusing to be limited by the effects of his seriously disabling wounds, he carved an illustrious career as an Australian diplomat and became the longest serving Governor of New South Wales.

Formative years

Arthur Roden Cutler was born on 24th May 1916 at Manly, New South Wales, Australia. He was the eldest son of Arthur Cutler, a sales resresentative for Remington, and Ruby Pope. He went by his middle name to avoid confusion with his father. ^[1] His cousin, Sir Charles Cutler, was Deputy Premier of New South Wales from 1965 to 1975. Arthur grew up in the Sydney Harbour suburb of Manly where he attended the Manly Village Public School. At the age of fifteen he enrolled at Sydney Boys High School. When Roden stopped growing, he was 195.58cm (6' 5") tall! ^[2]

After completing his formal education, he worked for the Texas Company Australasia, which later became Texaco. He studied economics during the night at the University of Sydney and joined the Sydney University Regiment in 1936. He enjoyed all sports, especially riding, rifle shooting and water polo, and was awarded a University Blue in swimming. ^[2]

As an eighteen year-old surf lifesaver at Manly Beach, he swam to the aid of a surfer who was being circled by a large shark. The shark brushed him twice as he helped the surfer to the beach. ^[2]

Military service

Roden Cutler VC AK KCMG is a Military Veteran.
Served in the 2nd Australian Imperial Force 1940-1942
2/5th Field Regiment

Having enlisted in the Sydney University Regiment in March 1936, on 10th November 1939, Arthur Roden Cutler was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the regiment. On 13th May 1940, he volunteered for overseas service with the Second Australian Imperial Force (AIF), ^[3] receiving a commission in the 2/5th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, 7th Division. He embarked for Egypt with his regiment on 20th October 1940 and saw action against the Vichy French in Syria and Lebanon in 1941.

Sir Roden Cutler VC AK KCMG was wounded at Syria during Second World War.

During what is recognised as the Battles of Merdjayoun and Damour in June and July 1941 Roden, as an artillery forward observer, repaired a telephone line under heavy fire, called-in fire to repulse enemy tank attacks, set up an outpost at great risk of being cut off by advancing enemy, to bring accurate fire to a road used by the enemy and, with a 25-pound field gun, demolished a post threatening the Australian advance. He was seriously wounded in action, and when rescued 26 hours later, required amputation of his leg. He was subsequently invalided home; being discharged from the AIF on medical grounds on 23rd December 1942.

On 11th June 1942, propped on crutches, he was invested with the Victoria Cross for conspicuous bravery in the face of the enemy in Syria, by the Governor General of Australia, Lord Guthrie. ^[4] His citation read, in part: "The King has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the Victoria Cross to ... Lieutenant Arthur Roden Cutler (NX.12378), Australian Military Forces ... For most conspicuous and sustained gallantry during the Syrian Campaign and for outstanding bravery during the bitter fighting at Merdjayoun when this artillery officer became a byword amongst the forward troops with whom he worked ... Throughout the campaign this officer's courage was unparalleled and his work was a big factor in the recapture of Merdjayoun." ^[5]

LT Roden Cutler

Roden became Secretary of the New South Wales branch of the Returned Servicemen's League (RSL) before being appointed to a position with the Repatriation Department. ^[2]

Roden married Helen Morris on 28th May 1946 at Woollahra, New South Wales. ^[6] They had four sons: ^[2]

David born in New Zealand,
Anthony born in New Zealand,
Richard born in Ceylon (Sri Lanka), and
Mark born in Egypt.

Diplomatic service

Following the war, Cutler began a long career in the Australian diplomatic service. At the age of 29 he was appointed High Commissioner to New Zealand (1946–52). Other postings within the Commonwealth followed; he served in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) (1952–55) and was the Australian Minister in Egypt during the Suez Crisis in 1956. As a result of his service in Egypt, Cutler was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 1957 New Years Honours. ^[7] Further postings included Australia’s High Commissioner to Pakistan and Australia’s Consul-General in New York. His final diplomatic posting, in 1965, as Ambassador to the Netherlands, was cut short when he returned home to take up appointment as the 32nd Governor of New South Wales; still just 49 years of age. ^[2]

For his diplomatic services to Australia, Roden Cutler VC was honoured by the Queen by creation as Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in December 1965. ^[8] He was further honoured as Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) in 1970 ^[9] and Knight of the Order of Australia (AK) in 1981. ^[10]

Governor of New South Wales

Sir Roden Cutler VC served as Governor of New South Wales for a record fifteen years from 1966 (Lachlan Macquarie had been Governor for eleven years from 1810 to 1821), through four Premiers and a change of government after eleven years of conservative rule. Such was his popularity that the Labor Premier, Neville Wran, extended his last term until 1981. During his term as Governor, he was Honorary Colonel of the Sydney University Regiment. ^[2]

Sir Roden Cutler VC

Final years

Following the end of his long term as governor, Sir Roden received various chairmanships and business appointments, including Chairman of Ansett Express (1981–92) and Chairman of the State Bank of New South Wales (1981–86). ^[2]

Following Lady (Helen) Cutler's passing, he married again in 1993, to Joan Goodwin.^[11] In 1999, he established the Sir Roden & Lady Cutler Foundation to assist the vulnerable of the community. Throughout the republican debate and referendum he remained a staunch monarchist and proud Australian, believing the monarchy brought stability, continuity and tradition to his country. ^[2]

He collaborated with popular Australian novelist Colleen McCullough on a biography, Roden Cutler VC, which was published in 1998. ^[12]^[13]

Sir Roden passed away, aged 85 years, on 21st February 2002 following a long illness and was accorded the rare honour of a State Funeral on 28th February 2002 by the New South Wales Government. ^[14] He is buried in South Head Cemetery, Vaucluse, New South Wales.

Honours and Awards

Sir Roden was, deservedly, highly decorated: ^[15]

Victoria Cross
Knight of the Order of Australia (1980)
Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (1965)
Knight Commander of the Victorian Order (1970)
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (1957)
Knight of Justice of the Venerable Order of St John of Jerusalem
1939-45 Star
Africa Star
Defence Medal 1939-1945
War Medal 1939-1945
Australian Service Medal 1939-45
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1953)
Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (1977)
Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002)
Centenary Medal (2001)
Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia (Hon.FCA)
Honorary Doctor of Laws (Hon.LLD), University of Sydney (1967)
Honorary Doctor of Science (Hon.DSc), University of New South Wales and Newcastle (NSW) (1967)
Honorary Doctor of Letters (Hon.DLitt), University of New England (1981)
Honorary Doctor of Letters (Hon.DLitt), University of Wollongong (1985)

Sir Roden Cutler VC medal set

Legacy

The soldiers' club at the School of Artillery, North Head, New South Wales, was named in his honour: The Cutler Club.
The Sir Roden & Lady Cutler Foundation evolved from the Kings Cross Rotary Club 1999 'Home and Away' project, which provided emergency transport for the young, the elderly and the disabled needing to get to and from vital medical appointments. The foundation continues to provide needy Australians and their carers with the transport and financial support necessary to maintain and enhance their quality of life. ^[16]
The Primary Club of Australia created the Sir Roden Cutler Award in 1998 to acknowledge outstanding sporting achievement by an athlete with a disability. ^[17]
In 2000, he was honoured as one of three Australian living Victoria Cross recipients to be commemorated on a postage stamp and coin issue. ^[18]
Cutler VC interchange, the highway interchange at Casula, New South Wales is named in his honour.
Remembrance Driveway Victoria Cross Rest Areas and Memorial Parks along the Hume and Federal Highways between Sydney and Canberra. ^[19]
Sir Roden Cutler Park, Macquarie River, Dubbo. ^[20]