Bernard James Callinan AC DSO MC (1913 - bef. 1995)

Born 2 Feb 1913 in Essendon, Victoria, Australia

Husband of Naomi Marion (Cullinan) Callinan — married 1943 in Victoria, Australia

Died before 20 Jul 1995 before age 82 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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Biography

Bernard Callinan AC DSO MC is Notable.

Lieutenant Colonel Sir Bernard Callinan AC CBE DSO MC BCE was an Australian soldier and engineer.

Formative years

Bernard Callinan AC DSO MC was born in Victoria, Australia

Bernard James Callinan was born on 2nd February 1913 in Essendon, Victoria, Australia. He was the second son of Michael Callinan and Mary Pendergast / Prendergast. ^[1]

After attending St Kevin's College Bernard completed a Bachelor of Civil Engineering (BCE) at the University of Melbourne. Upon graduating in 1935, he joined the embryonic consulting practice of Gordon Gutteridge, which became Gutteridge, Haskins and Davey a few years later and is now known as GHD.

Second World War

Bernard Callinan AC DSO MC is a Military Veteran.
Served in the Second Australian Imperial Force 1940-1946
2/2nd Independent Company; 26th Infantry Battalion; 31st/51st Infantry Battalion; 58/32nd Infantry Battalion

Bernard was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Citizens Military Force in June 1940, being allocated to the Royal Australian Engineers. On 3rd March 1941, he volunteered for overseas service by transferring to the Second Australian Imperial Force, ^[2] taking up a posting as an instructor at the Demolitions Wing, 7th Infantry Training Centre. He was promoted to Captain in July 1941, and subsequently posted as the second-in-command to the 2/2nd Independent Company, deploying with them to Timor as part of Sparrow Force in December 1941. He subsequently led the commandos during their campaign on the island and in July 1942 was temporarily promoted to Major. Upon returning to Australia, his promotion to Major was confirmed and he served on the Headquarters staff of the First Army as a staff officer before taking up a posting as second-in-command of the 31st/51st Battalion at Merauke in November 1943.

During this time Bernard married Naomi Cullinan in 1943 in Victoria. ^[3]

In early 1945, Bernard was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and assumed command of the 26th Battalion, leading them through the Bougainville campaign. On 5th February 1946, he was demobilised from the 2nd AIF and placed on the Reserve of Officers; but later returned to the Citizen Military Forces and commanded the 58th/32nd Infantry Battalion from 1948 to 1951. ^[2] For his outstanding leadership and gallantry he was appointed Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) on 14th February 1946 ^[4][5] after earlier being awarded the Military Cross (MC) on 23rd December 1943. ^[6][7] He was also Mentioned in Despatches, the equivalent to today's Commendation for Gallantry. ^[8] For his war service Bernard was awarded the 1939-1945 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-1945 and Australia Service Medal 1939-1945.

Post war

Returning to GHD from service in the war, Bernard developed the practice in Victoria and Tasmania, creating a vibrant and enthusiastic team with a reputation for efficiency and integrity. Further study at the University of Melbourne part-time resulted in him topping his class with honours. He was appointed chairman and managing director of the company in 1971 and was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to engineering in that year's New Year Honours. ^[9] The following year he was presented with the Peter Nicol Russell Memorial Medal from the Institution of Engineers Australia. In the Queen's Birthday Honours 1977 he was created Knight Bachelor for services to engineering ^[10] and retired from GHD in 1978, after 44 years of service.

During his career Bernard held many positions in the commercial field, including director of CSR Ltd, director of British Petroleum Company of Australia, chairman of the new Federal Parliament House Construction Authority, commissioner of the Australia Broadcasting Corporation and the State Electricity Commission of Victoria, deputy chancellor of La Trobe University and president of the Institute of Engineers Australia.

Bernard joined the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) committee in 1966 and served as president from 1980 to 1985. He fought to retain the Victorian Football League (VFL) grand final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and was a long-serving Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) Patron-in-Chief.

Bernard was appointed Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in the Australia Day Honours 1986. ^[11]

Aged 82 years, Bernard passed away on 20th July 1995 in Melbourne. He was survived by Naomi and their five children.

Honours and awards

In order of precedence, Bernard deservedly received the following honours and awards:

• Knight Bachelor
• Companion of the Order of Australia
• Commander of the Order of the British Empire
• Companion of the Distinguished Service Order
• Military Cross
• Mentioned in Despatches
• 1939-1945 Star
• Pacific Star
• Defence Medal
• War Medal 1939-1945
• Australia Service Medal 1939-1945
• Peter Nicol Russell Memorial Medal

Sources

1. ↑ Victoria Birth Index #3286/1913
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Department of Veterans' Affairs nominal roll: 382001 (VX50081) Lieutenant Colonel Bernard James Callinan; accessed 1 May 2023
3. ↑ Victoria Marriage Index #4108/1943
4. ↑ Australian Honours: DSO; accessed 2 Feb 2024
5. ↑ Australian War Memorial honours and awards: DSO, gazetted 14 Feb 1946; accessed 1 May 2023
6. ↑ Australian War Memorial honours and awards: MC, gazetted 14 Feb 1946; accessed 1 May 2023
7. ↑ Australian War Memorial honours and awards: MC Australian War Memorial honours and awards: MC; gazetted 23 Dec 1943; accessed 1 May 2023
8. ↑ Australian War Memorial honours and awards: MiD, gazetted 28 May 1943; accessed 1 May 2023
9. ↑ Australian Honours: CBE; accessed 2 Feb 2024
10. ↑ Australian Honours: Knight Bachelor; accessed 2 Feb 2024
11. ↑ Australian Honours: AC; accessed 2 Feb 2024

See also:

• Wikipedia: Bernard Callinan; accessed 1 May 2023.