John Reddish (soldier)

Brigadier John Reddish, DSO, ED (19 May 1902 – 2 August 1971) was an Australian soldier who served on active service with the 6th Division during the Second World War.

This article is about the Australian Army officer. For the English Crickerter, see John Reddish.

John Reddish
Brigadier John Reddish in Queensland, March 1944
Nickname(s)Jack
Born(1902-05-19)19 May 1902
Croydon, New South Wales
Died2 August 1971(1971-08-02) (aged 69)
North Balwyn, Victoria
AllegianceAustralia
Service/branchAustralian Army
Years of service1926–1951
RankBrigadier
Commands heldRoyal Artillery, 6th Division (1943–45)
2/6th Field Regiment (1942–43)
2/4th Field Regiment (1942)
Battles/warsSecond World War
AwardsDistinguished Service Order
Efficiency Decoration
Mentioned in Despatches (2)

Early life and career

Reddish was born in Croydon, New South Wales, on 19 May 1902, the eldest of three children to Major John Reddish, a School Inspector and Military Cadet Instructor, and Mary Lavinia Reddish (née Sanders).

Jack Reddish served in the Citizens Military Force and for a time was joined by his younger brother, George. Reddish was commissioned as a lieutenant into the Australian Field Artillery on 20 October 1926.[1] Promotion to captain followed on 16 August 1931,[2] and to major on 31 December 1936.[3] By the outbreak of the Second World War, Reddish was Officer Commanding 114 Battery, 14th Field Brigade.

Second World War

Reddish was commissioned into the Second Australian Imperial Force with the service number NX105 on 26 March 1940 and returned to the Citizens Military Force on 15 October 1945.[4] As a battery commander in the 2/6th Field Regiment, 7th Division he served in Palestine, Egypt, Mersa-Matruh and Syria. Reddish was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for leadership during the Syria–Lebanon campaign.[5] As lieutenant colonel he led his regiment against the Japanese in the New Guinea campaign, fighting in the Owen Stanley Ranges. He also took part in the Salamaua–Lae and Finschhafen actions. Along with the DSO, he was twice Mentioned in Despatches.[6][7] Reddish was promoted to temporary lieutenant colonel on 15 April 1942 (made substantive on 1 September) and to colonel (temporary brigadier) on 17 November 1943. During his war service he commanded the 2/4th and the 2/6th Field Regiments.[8][9] He rose to become Commander Royal Artillery of the 6th Division.[10][11]

For his service in the Citizens Military Force, Reddish was awarded the Efficiency Decoration.[12] Granted the honorary rank of brigadier on 16 October 1945, Reddish retired from military service on 28 February 1951.

Personal and later life

In civilian life Reddish was a senior manager for Mercantile Mutual in Melbourne. Reddish married Edna Kench on 15 November 1930 in Petersham, New South Wales and had two sons. He died at North Balwyn, Victoria on 2 August 1971.

References
  1. Commonwealth Gazette 1926 No 118 page 2151
  2. Commonwealth Gazette 1931 No 92 page 1856
  3. Commonwealth Gazette 1937 No 07 page 314
  4. "World War Two Nominal Roll". ww2roll.gov.au.
  5. "Honours and Awards: John Reddish". awm.gov.au.
  6. "Honours and Awards: John Reddish". awm.gov.au.
  7. "Honours and Awards: John Reddish". awm.gov.au.
  8. "2/4 Field Regiment RAA". ordersofbattle.com.
  9. "2/6 Field Regiment: Appointments". ordersofbattle.com.
  10. "NX105 Brigadier J. Reddish, DSO., ED., Commander Royal Artillery, 6TH Division". awm.gov.au.
  11. "Temporary Brigadier John Reddish". awm.gov.au.
  12. "RecordSearch – National Archives of Australia". naa.gov.au. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
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