Rudolph A Bierwirth CBE (1899 - 1993)

Born 30 Jan 1899 in Kent Town, South Australia (Australia)

Ancestors

Husband of Rosalind Madge (Guerin) Bierwirth — married 15 Jul 1922 in St Peters, South Australia, Australia

Died 27 Jan 1993 at age 93 in Victoria, Australia

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Biography

Rudolph Bierwirth CBE is Notable.

Lieutenant General Rudolph Bierwirth CBE was a career officer in the Australian Army who served in many senior positions, seeing action in both World Wars. His career culminated as commander-in-charge of British Commonwealth Forces Korea.

Rudolph A Bierwirth was born on 30th January 1899 in Kent Town, South Australia; the eldest son of Louis Ulbrich Bierwirth, a schoolmaster, and Bertha Pimlott. ^[1] Bierwirth is a German occupational name for an innkeeper mainly serving beer. ^[2] It is likely that Rudolph was given additional names as each of his younger brothers were given six Christian names, as had their father. His brothers both anglicised their name. The family moved about South Australia as his father was posted with the Education Department. From Yankalilla Public School, Rudolph graduated to Adelaide High School, where he joined the compulsory Cadets.

Rudolph Bierwirth CBE is a Military Veteran.
Served in the Australian Military Forces 1918-1939

Upon completion of his formal education, he entered Royal Military College, Duntroon, Canberra, in February 1915, as Bismarck Rudolph Bierwirth. Upon graduation, in December 1918, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Australian Army and the Australian Imperial Force. Although the (First World) War had ended, he was sent to England, serving briefly with the 43rd Australian Infantry Battalion (1919), and the 1st Battalion, Scots Guards (1919–20); returning to Australia in June 1920.

Rudolph and Rosalind were married for 61 years

After being promoted to Captain, Rudolph married Rosalind Guerin on 15th July 1922 in All Souls' Church, St Peters, South Australia. ^[3]

Bierwirth was promoted temporary Major in 1927 and appointed brigade major of 6th Brigade. It was not until 1937 that this rank became substantive such was the 'between-war' state of the mainly militia army.

Rudolph Bierwirth CBE is a Military Veteran.
Served in the Second Australian Imperial Force 1939-1945
2/33rd Australian Infantry Battalion; Headquarters 12th Division

With the outbreak of the Second World War, Bierwirth transferred to the Second Australian Imperial Force on 6th December 1939 for overseas deployment; as did both of his brothers. Their German heritage, and very germanic names, do not appear to have hampered their military careers, even in wartime. ^[4] Rudolph was promoted Lieutenant Colonel in 1940 upon appointment as the first commanding officer of the 2/33rd Australian Infantry Battalion, 25th Brigade, 7th Division. ^[5] In this capacity, he was involved in action in Libya, Syria and Lebanon.

He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year's Honours 1942, ^[6] and returned to Australia where he was promoted to Colonel and temporary Brigadier and appointed to command of administration, Northern Territory Force / Headquarters 12th Division. Bierwirth served as deputy adjutant quartermaster general at Headquarters 1st Australian Corps and New Guinea Force, being Mentioned in Despatches (equivalent to today's Commendation for Gallantry). The remainder of the war saw him stationed in Townsville, Madang, Bouganville, and Lae, rising to substantive Brigadier, before returning to Cairns in May 1945. In response to his exemplary service during the war, on 14th February 1946, Bierwirth was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). ^[7]

After the war, Bierwirth attended the Imperial Defence College, London (1946–47). He then served in a number of positions in Europe and the United Kingdom, was honorary aide de camp to the Governor General, and Quartermaster General. During this 'quieter moment', Bierwirth co-wrote Theory and application of radio-frequency heating with George H Brown and Cyril N Hoyler, published 1947.

Rudolph Bierwirth CBE is a Military Veteran.
Served in the Australian Army 1945-1956
CiC British Commonwealth Forces Korea

At the end of 1950 Bierwirth was promoted to temporary Major General, a rank that became substantive in 1952. He was promoted to temporary Lieutenant General in 1954, serving as commander-in-charge British Commonwealth Forces Korea 1954-1956, based in Japan. He oversaw the reduction of Commonwealth forces in South Korea and Japan, proving adept at tactful negotiation and diplomacy. He retired from military life on 1st August 1956, aged 57 years 6 months.

In 'retirement', the Bierwirths settled in Melbourne. In 1957 he became Victorian development officer for the Commonwealth Government’s 'Bring out a Briton' campaign, a sponsorship scheme aimed at bolstering the proportion of British migrants entering Australia. At the same time he moved into finance, becoming a director and subsequently deputy chairman of the Mutual Permanent Building Society and its successor, the Statewide Building Society. He retired in 1983. His hobbies included tennis, history, music, and art. He was a member of the Naval and Military Club and president (1968–71) of the Melbourne Savage Club.

Widowered for ten years, Rudolph Bierwirth passed away, three days short of his 94th birthday anniversary, on 27th November 1993, and his ashes placed in Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Victoria. He was survived by both his son and daughter and their families.

Sources

1. ↑ South Australia Birth Index #634/34 1899; registered at Norwood
2. ↑ Surname: Bierwirth
3. ↑ South Australia Marriage Index #292/144 1922; registered at Norwood
4. ↑ Australian War Memorial nominal roll: VX289 Major General Rudolph Bierwirth
5. ↑ Australian War Memorial unit record: 2/33rd Australian Infantry Battalion
6. ↑ Australian Honours: Officer of the Order of the British Empire; accessed 1 Jun 2019
7. ↑ Australian Honours: Commander of the Order of the British Empire; accessed 1 Jun 2019

See also

• James, Karl. 'Bierwirth, Rudolph (1899–1993)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, published online 2020; accessed online 25 May 2022.
• Generals of World War II: 'Bierwirth, Rudolph'; accessed 21 May 2018.
• Wikipedia profile: 'Rudolph Bierwirth'; accessed 21 May 2018.