John Dennis Stevenson AO CBE (1925 - 2008)

Born 13 Aug 1925 in South Yarra, Victoria, Australia

Ancestors

Died 30 Jul 2008 at age 82 in Kew, Victoria, Australia

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Biography

John Stevenson AO CBE is Notable.

Major General John Dennis Stevenson AO CBE was born on 13th August 1925 in South Yarra, Victoria, Australia. He was the only son of Colonel George Stevenson, who had served in the Boer War and The Great War, including at Gallipoli, and Fran Dennis. His mother passed away when John was just six years of age. His father married again five years later, to widow, Hilda Kidd nee McKay, daughter of inventor, Hugh Victor McKay CBE. John completed his secondary education at the Geelong Church of England Grammar School in 1942 when the Second World War was at its peak in both Europe and the South-West Pacific; invasion of Australia was a real threat. John wanted to enlist immediately, however, at this father’s insistence, he entered the Royal Military College, Duntroon.

a military career

Graduating into the Royal Australian Artillery in December 1946 and too late for active service, Lieutenant Stevenson joined A Field Battery with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan. Returning to Australia with the battery at the end of 1948, John began a number of courses at the School of Artillery and an exchange posting to the British Army. As an artillery Captain, John served with Headquarters, 1st British Commonwealth Division in 1953 in Korea. ^[1]

John married Vivienne Ann Cotton in Brisbane on 6th July 1955 and began a 53 year union, ended only by his passing. John's father passed away in 1958 and his step-mother, who was a notable philanthipist and community worker, was created Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1968.^[2]

John Stevenson AO CBE is a Military Veteran.
Served in the Australian Army Royal Australian Artillery 1943-82
British Commonwealth Occupation Force; Korean War; Vietnam War

On 9th June 1964, Lieutenant Colonel John Stevenson assumed command of 4th Field Regiment at Wacol, Queensland. Within the year he was preparing for 105th Field Battery to be posted to Vietnam as Australia's initial artillery component. John was posted to Vietnam in 1966 to take command of the 1st Australian Logistic Support Group, on promotion to Colonel. ^[3] In 1971, he was promoted Brigadier and appointed the Commander 6th Task Force and Southern Queensland Area, in Brisbane. Early in 1976, John was elevated to Major General to become the inaugural General Officer Commanding Logistic Command in Melbourne.

retirement!

Retiring on his 57th birthday on 13th August 1982, he and Ann purchased a house in Stevenson Street, Kew, and he threw himself headlong into a range of occupations—chairman of the Industrial Mobilisation Course (later its National President) and writing for Dennis Warner and others on defence matters. John was always an active member of Legacy, became National Chairman of the Order of Australia Association, was President of the Royal United Services Institute of Australia, Patron of the Melbourne Rugby Union Football Club, and was an enthusiastic participant in activities at the Naval and Military and Athenaeum Clubs. He became the Honorary Colonel of the Melbourne University Regiment (1982-88), Colonel Commandant RAA Victoria (1988-92) and Representative Colonel Commandant RAA (1989-92). ^[4]

John passed away on 30th July 2008 in Kew, Victoria. He was survived by his wife, Ann, and their three daughters: Jenny, Wendy and Suzie.

recognised and honoured

During his career, John Stevenson was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1970 and Officer of the Order of Australia (OA) in 1980. He was awarded the National Medal with two Clasps (1979). ^[5]

Such was John's contribution to ensuring the defence of northern Australia that one of the carriages on the Darwin rail was named after him.

Sources

1. ↑ Department_of_Veteran's_Affairs_Nominal_Roll_Korea:_3477_John_Dennis_Stevenson; accessed 19 Jun 2018
2. ↑ Wikipedia profile: Hilda Stevenson; accessed 11 May 2019
3. ↑ Department_of_Veteran's_Affairs_Nominal_Roll_Vietnam:_3477_John_Dennis_Stevenson; accessed 19 Jun 2018
4. ↑ Burke,_Arthur:_John_Dennis_Stevenson accessed 19 Jun 2018
5. ↑ It's_an_Honour:_John_Dennis_Stevenson; accessed 19 Jun 2018