Edmund Herring

Edmund Herring was a distinguished Australian soldier, jurist, and public servant whose career spanned the battlefields of two world wars and the highest echelons of the Victorian legal system. Rising to the rank of lieutenant general, he commanded significant formations in the South West Pacific theatre during the Second World War. Following his military service, he served as the Chief Justice of Victoria and later as the Lieutenant Governor of Victoria, leaving a lasting legacy in both military and civic spheres.

Early life and education

Born in Maryborough, Victoria, he was the son of a local Church of England rector. He attended Melbourne Grammar School before proceeding to the University of Melbourne, where he excelled academically. At university, he studied Classics and Law, graduating with first-class honours and becoming a prominent member of the University of Melbourne Union. His education was interrupted by the outbreak of the First World War, during which he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force.

Military career

During the First World War, he served with the Royal Australian Artillery at Gallipoli and on the Western Front, where his leadership earned him the Military Cross and a mention in despatches. Between the wars, he maintained a connection with the Citizen Military Forces while establishing a successful legal practice. At the onset of the Second World War, he was appointed to command the artillery of the 6th Division, seeing action in the North African campaign and the Battle of Greece. Promoted to lieutenant general, he later commanded II Corps and then the pivotal New Guinea Force during the critical Kokoda Track campaign and the subsequent offensives at Buna and Gona. His command played a crucial role in halting the Japanese advance towards Port Moresby and in the eventual Allied counter-offensive in the Territory of New Guinea.

Post-war judicial career

Upon his return to civilian life, his legal expertise and reputation for integrity led to his appointment as the Chief Justice of Victoria in 1944, a position he held for nearly two decades. During his tenure on the Supreme Court of Victoria, he presided over many significant cases and was known for his fair and scholarly judgments. He also served as the first Chairman of the Australian War Memorial Council, helping to steer the institution's development. His judicial work was widely respected within the Commonwealth of Nations legal community.

Public service and later life

After retiring from the bench in 1964, he continued a life of dedicated public service. He was appointed as the Lieutenant Governor of Victoria, a vice-regal role he fulfilled with distinction until 1972. In this capacity, he was a frequent patron of charitable and community organizations, including the Scout Association and the Royal Humane Society of Australasia. He remained an active figure in Melbourne's civic life, contributing to debates on education and national service, and maintained a keen interest in the affairs of the University of Melbourne and the Shrine of Remembrance.

Honours and legacy

His numerous accolades included being appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire and a Knight of the Order of St John for his military and civic contributions. He was also awarded the Distinguished Service Order and the Greek War Cross. The Herring Road at the Royal Military College, Duntroon is named in his honour, as is Mount Herring in Papua New Guinea. He is remembered as a quintessential citizen-soldier, whose leadership during the defence of Australia and subsequent service to the state of Victoria left an indelible mark on the nation's history.

Category:Australian Army generals Category:Chief Justices of Victoria Category:Australian Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire