Claude Ewen Cameron

Claude Ewen Cameron
Personal details
Born	(1894-09-13)September 13, 1894 Balmain North, New South Wales
Died	September 10, 1982(1982-09-10) (aged 87) Thornleigh, New South Wales

Claude Ewen Cameron, MC and Bar (13 September 1894 – 10 September 1982) was an Australian army officer. Cameron fought during World War I with the AIF, serving at Gallipoli, Menin Road and Amiens. He was awarded the Military Cross for his actions during the Battle of Amiens 1918 and also won a Bar to his MC for actions on 3 October 1918 during the Hundred Days' Offensive. He took command of the 18th Battalion in July 1933 and was promoted to a temporary colonel in 1940, taking command of the 8th Brigade. In August 1942, Cameron volunteered to serve in the 2nd AIF and under his command, the 8th Brigade fought in the Huon Peninsula campaign. Cameron relinquished command of the brigade in August 1944 and took command of the 2nd Brigade from then to December 1944. He was transferred to the Reserves on 27 February 1945 and mentioned in despatches for New Guinea service. Cameron returned to civilian life and was appointed managing director of Syndney Harbor Ferries in 1951. He retired in 1964. Cameron was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 1980 and died two years later.

First World War

Cameron was born on 13 September 1894 in the Sydney suburb of Balmain North. He was the second child of Anglican clergyman Ronald John Cameron and his wife Lilly Wafford. Cameron was educated at the Sydney Church of England Grammar School between 1908 and 1912. He was initially employed by Dalgety & Co. as a junior clerk. Cameron served in the Australian Militia, enlisting in the 1st AIG on 18 March 1915. Cameron was promoted to sergeant two months later while serving with the 20th Battalion. He fought during the Gallipoli Campaign between August and December 1915 and was made company sergeant major in February 1916 whilst in Egypt with his battalion. Transferred to France with the 20th Battalion, Cameron was commissioned on 16 August 1916. He received a shoulder wound near Flers on 15 November and was promoted to lieutenant the next day. After being evacuated to England, Cameron arrived back on the front on 1 September 1917, but received a thigh wound during the Battle of Menin Road on 20 September. Cameron was again evacuated to England and returned to the 20th Battalion's lines two months later. Now a company commander, Cameron attacked an enemy strongpoint with an NCO, killing several German soldiers and capturing two machine guns on 8 August 1918 during the Battle of Amiens. Cameron also held his assigned positions with 12 men against a German assault. For these two actions, Cameron was awarded the Military Cross. During an attack on 3 October near Beaurevoir, Cameron took charge of forward units of his battalion and consolidated the flank of the brigade assault, for which he received a Bar to his Military Cross. Cameron returned to Australia in April 1919 and was demobilized on 2 June.

Second World War

Cameron began farming and later became a pay clerk at Sydney Ferries Limited in 1923. Cameron also rejoined the Militia the same year and was promoted to Captain the next year. He married Aline Vindin on 14 August 1924 at St. James's Church of England. In 1929, he was promoted to major. Cameron became a lieutenant colonel in July 1933 and commanded the 18th Battalion. Cameron became an accountant at Sydney Ferries Limited in 1934. He was also the mayor of the municipality of Kuring-gai in 1936. In May 1940, he became the commander of the 8th Brigade. Made a temporary brigadier in January 1941, Cameron was called up on 10 March. He transferred to the 2nd AIF in August 1942.

The 8th Brigade landed at Finschafen in January 1944, and took part in the final stages of the Huon Peninsula campaign. During the pursuit of the Japanese towards Madang, the brigade killed 734 Japanese and took 48 prisoners, losing three killed and five wounded, before reaching Madang in April 1944. Two months later, Cameron relinquished command and transferred to the 2nd Brigade in New South Wales from then to December 1944. Cameron was transferred to the Reserve of Officers on 27 February 1945 as an honorary brigadier. He was also mentioned in despatches for New Guinea service.

Civilian life

Cameron returned to Sydney Ferries Limited, where he was the managing director of the Sydney Harbour Transport Board from 1951 to his 1964 retirement. In late 1945, he became the manager of the Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company, becoming its general manager in 1949. Cameron was the honorary colonel of the 17th/18th Battalion, North Shore Regiment between 1951 and 1960. He was awarded the OAM in 1980 and died two years later.