Stuart Clarence Graham (1920 - 1996)

Born 23 Oct 1920 in Ulmarra, New South Wales, Australia

Ancestors

Husband of Joyce May (Lawrence) Graham — married 20 Aug 1940 in Manuka, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

Died 20 Jul 1996 at age 75 in Isle of Capri, Queensland, Australia

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Biography

Stuart Graham is Notable.

Major General Stuart Graham AO DSO OBE MC was a decorated and senior officer in the Australian Army who graduated from Royal Military College, Duntroon and served his country during the Second World War, the Occupation of Japan and the Vietnam War.

Brigadier Stuart Graham AO DSO OBE MC

Formative Years

Stuart Graham was born in New South Wales, Australia

Stuart Clarence Graham was born on Saturday, 23rd October 1920 in Ulmarra, on the Clarence River in New South Wales, Australia. He was the sixth of nine sons of Charles Graham and Alice Geeson. ^[1] He also had three sisters, one older and two younger than himself.

In 1938, he enrolled in the Royal Military College, Duntroon, Australian Capital Territory, graduating in mid-1940 top of his class and receiving the Kings Medal. ^[2]

A month after his graduation, Stuart married Joyce May Lawrence on Tuesday, 20th August 1940 in St Paul's Church of England, South Canberra (Manuka, Griffith), Australian Capital Territory. ^[3] The Canberra Times carried the following report on 28th August: ^[4]

Graham-Lawrence.

"A pretty military wedding was celebrated at St. Paul's Church, Canberra South, on Tuesday, August 20, when Joyce, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Lawrence, of Griffith, was married to Lt. Stuart C. Graham, late of Duntroon Military College, and son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Graham, or Grafton, Clarence River.

"The bride was given away by her father, who is at present a sergeant in the 2nd Battalion, A.I.F. She wore a beautiful dress of white cloque in Empire style, coronet of daffodils and primroses, and bouquet to match.

"The bridesmaids were Miss Marjorie Holmes and Miss Gladys Lawrence, the bride's sister, and both were dressed in pale green georgette on which were dozens of miniature lavender bows. They, too, wore coronets, but of stocks and sweet peas.

"Lt. Robert Moffitt was best man, and he also sang "Because" during the signing of the register. The grooms man was Lt. John Templeman, of Hobart. As the happy couple left the Church they passed under an arch provided by 23 lieutenants, all recently graduated at Duntroon.

"The Church was decorated for the occasion by Mr. David Beattie, and the ceremony was performed by the Rev. T. E. Whiting.

"Mrs. Lawrence, dressed in a black and white ensemble, later received 63 guests at her residence in Griffith, where the usual toasts were honoured and a very happy time spent.

"Lt. and Mrs. Graham left by the afternoon train for Sydney, where the honeymoon will be spent. The beautiful two-tier wedding cake was made and presented as a gift by Mrs. Skinner, of Manuka."

Together, they subsequently had two sons:

1. Stuart (1942-)
2. Ray (1944-)

An Illustrious Military Career

Stuart Graham is a Military Veteran.
Served in the Australian Army 1941-1977
Rank upon retirement: Major General

Stuart Graham was awarded the Military Cross (Imperial).

Upon graduation from RMC, Stuart was commissioned in the Commonwealth Military Force as a Lieutenant. After a year of regimental and staff appointments, serving in infantry and armoured units of Australia's Militia, on 26th July 1941 Stuart transferred to the Second Australian Imperial Force, Australia's overseas expeditionary force for the Second World War. ^[5] He briefly served on the Headquarters of the 1st Armoured Division before being attached to the British Army 7th Armoured Division, with whom he saw action in North Africa and Italy 1943-44. Coming ashore on the first day of the Allied landing at Salerno, he was wounded but remained on duty. Returning to Australia he was given command of a company of the 24th Australian Infantry Battalion, whom he led through the New Guinea and Bougainville campaigns. Stuart, then a Captain, was awarded the Military Cross (MC) on 27th September 1945 for 'gallant and distinguished conduct at Anderson’s Junction, Bougainville'. ^[6][7][8] He was posted to the 2/4th Armoured Regiment as a Major upon his recuperation. Following the war, Stuart was awarded the 1939-1945 Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-1945 and Australia Service Medal 1939-1945.

Stuart served with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan 1948-49, as commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR). ^[2] He was awarded the Australia Service Medal 1945-1975.

Stuart Graham was awarded the The Order of the British Empire - Officer (Military) (Imperial).

Stuart Graham was awarded the Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (Imperial).

Amongst a number of staff and command positions, Stuart was commanding officer of 1st Armoured Regiment in 1952-53. He attended the United States Armed Forces Staff College and subsequently filled the role of Assistant Military Attaché in Washington DC as an intelligence officer in 1957-58. His exposure to US military culture and intelligence during this period affected his own military thinking and would be influential during his later service. In the late 1950s he was posted to Army Headquarters, and served as Director of Military Intelligence 1960-64. His service to the Australian Army Staff Corps, as Brigadier, was recognised by appointment as Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year Honours 1st January 1963. ^[9][10] He commanded 6th Task Force in 1965-66, ^[2] before attending the Imperial Defence College in London, England.

Stuart Graham was awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia.

Commanding the 1st Australian Task Force (1 ATF) during fighting in South Vietnam during 1967, ^[11] Stuart was responsible for establishing the controversial 11 kilometre (6.8 mile) barrier minefield from Dat Do to the coast. He was appointed Companion of the Distinguished Servce Order (DSO) in recognition of his leadership in Vietnam. ^[12] He was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal as well as the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Afterward, Stuart filled a range of senior command, staff and diplomatic roles in Australia and overseas, including Deputy Chief of the General Staff (DCGS) 1969-72; General Officer Commanding Northern Command 1972-73; and General Officer Commanding 1st Division 1973-74, for which he was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the Queen's Birthday Honours 1975. ^[13] He filled the position of head of the Australian Defence Staff in London over the period 1974-76. Stuart was awarded the National Medal with first and second Clasps in July 1977. ^[14][15][16]

Stuart's illustrious 37-year career culminated upon his retirement wuth the rank of Major General on 23rd October 1977, his 57th birthday anniversary. His 'minefield', although initially achieving a curtailemnt in Viet Cong movement as intended, later became a source of munitions for the enemy who stole mines and deployed them elsewhere against Allied forces. Adverse reactions to the minefield may have resulted in Stuart not being appointed Chief of the General Staff but holding perceived 'minor' appointments late in his career. ^[17]

Retirement and Final Parade

Retirement enabled Stuart to pursue his love for swimming and fishing. He also increased his voluntary work helping the vision impaired. ^[2]

Joyce and Stuart retired to Queensland's Gold Coast, purchasing a house near Surfers Paradise, on the Isle of Capri. There they became involved in community activities and fundraising. ^[2]

Stuart passed away on Saturday, 20th July 1996 at home on the Isle of Capri, aged 75 years, 8 months, 28 days. ^[18][19][20]

Sources

1. ↑ Birth Index (NSW Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages : accessed 26 Feb 2022), Index entry for GRAHAM STUART C; Parents: CHARLES H & ALICE; District: ULMARRA; Registration Number: 50980/1920
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4} Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Wikidata: Item Q7626412, en:Wikipedia , Stuart Clarence Graham, 10 January 2022, 14:26 UTC, accessed 25 February 2022
3. ↑ ACT Historic Marriage Index : accessed 26 Feb 2022), Index entry for JOYCE MAY LAWRENCE and STEWART CLARENCE LAWRENCE; Date of Marriage: 20 Aug/1940; Registration Number: 80070625
4. ↑ The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), Wed 28 Aug 1940, Page 2, Graham—Lawrence; viewed 22 Jul 2022
5. ↑ Department of Veterans' Affairs nominal roll: 253 (NX76225) Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Clarence Graham; accessed 26 Feb 2022
6. ↑ Australian War Memorial honours and awards (recommendation): Military Cross; accessed 23 Jul 2022
7. ↑ Australian War Memorial honours and awards: Military Cross; accessed 23 Jul 2022
8. ↑ Australian Honours: Military Cross; accessed 26 Feb 2022
9. ↑ Australian Honours: OBE: accessed 26 Feb 2022
10. ↑ Australian War Memorial honours and awards: OBE; accessed 23 Jul 2022
11. ↑ Department of Veterans' Affairs nominal roll Vietnam War: 253 Brigadier Stuart Clarence Graham; accessed 26 Feb 2022
12. ↑ Australian Honours: DSO; accessed 23 Jul 2022
13. ↑ Australian Honours: AO; accessed 26 Feb 2022
14. ↑ Australian Honours: National Medal; accessed 23 Jul 2022
15. ↑ Australian Honours: National Medal first Clasp; accessed 23 Jul 2022
16. ↑ Australian Honours: National Medal second Clasp; accessed 23 Jul 2022
17. ↑ Lockhart, Greg. The Minefield: An Australian Tragedy in Vietnam. Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest, New South Wales, 2007. ISBN 978-1-74114-106-1
18. ↑ Australian War Memorial: Major General Stuart Clarence Graham; accessed 23 Jul 2022
19. ↑ Ryerson Index accessed 22 Jul 2022. Death notice: Stuart C GRAHAM on Saturday, 20 Jul 1996 at Gold Coast, Qld. Published Wed, 24 Jul 1996 in the The Age (Melbourne)
20. ↑ Whitelaw, John. Fighting man who led by inspiration – Obituary for Stuart Graham. The Australian, Sydney, 28 Aug 1996: News Limited. p14. ISSN 1038-8761

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