Edmund Herring

Early life

Edmund Francis Herring was born in Maryborough, Victoria, on 2 September 1892. He was also known as ‘Ned’.

Edmund began his secondary education at Maryborough High School. Then he received a scholarship to Melbourne Church of England Grammar School, where he was named dux of his year.

After school, Edmund studied at the University of Melbourne. In 1912, he received a Rhodes scholarship to study at Oxford University in England. His studies were interrupted by World War I.

World War I service

In 1913, Edmund enlisted in the King Edward's Horse, a British Army cavalry regiment. Then, in December 1914, he transferred to the Royal Field Artillery and was commissioned as a second lieutenant.

Edmund served in France and then Macedonia, where he captained an artillery battery. He earned the Military Cross (MC) in 1917 for his bravery in directing artillery fire from the front in the midst of heavy shelling.

In an odd twist of fate, shortly after Edmund was relieved from duty, his replacement was killed.

Although Edmund experienced heavy fighting in Macedonia, he was also struck by the area's natural beauty, writing of:

snow-capped peaks, of glassy lakes and glorious hills and glorious valleys, studded with quaint and attractive villages … for it is a wonderful country, and in springtime this year it was hard to pick a more beautiful scenery … with all its drawbacks, its unhealthy summer with its myriad of flies, Macedonia has treated us well.

Edmund nevertheless suffered, along with others, the debilitating side-effects of the powerful and very painful intramuscular anti-malarial quinine injections. He ended the war as a temporary major and his brigade's commanding officer.

Military Cross citation

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. As Forward Artillery Observer throughout the operations he carried on in very exposed positions under heavy shellfire. His information proved of the utmost value.

[Supplement to The London Gazette, 24 July 1917, Number 30204, page 7630.]

Interwar years

After the war, Edmund completed his studies at Oxford and returned to Australia in 1920.

Back in Melbourne, Edmund had successful legal career and took an active role in politics. He also continued to serve as a senior officer in the part-time Citizen Forces.

Edmund married Mary Lyle, a clinical researcher and talented tennis player, in the Toorak Presbyterian Church on 6 April 1922. Mary was the daughter of Professor Thomas Ranken Lyle, a mathematical physicist who was scientific advisor to the Naval Board during World War I.

In the 1930s, Edmund joined the secret anti-communist organisation, the White Guard, which comprised former soldiers willing to act to suppress communist subversion.

Distinguished Service Cross citation (United States)

Lieutenant General Edmund F Herring VX15 

Australian Army

For extraordinary heroism in action in New Guinea, during the Papuan Campaign, July 23, 1942, to January 8, 1943. As Commander New Guinea Force, Lieut. General Herring displayed extraordinary courage, marked efficiency and precise execution of the operations during the Papuan Campaign.

[NAA: B883, VX15; page 32.]

World War II service

During World War II, Edmund held several senior command positions in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). He was an artillery brigade commander in North Africa and Greece, the scene of much of his World War I service. He ended his service as a lieutenant general and corps commander.

Life after service

After leaving the Army, Edmund became a Victorian chief justice in February 1944. His career in law had been interrupted by war but flourished in the post-1945 period, alongside his extensive community work.

Edmund died in Melbourne on 5 January 1982. A private service was held at the Springvale Crematorium on 11 January 1982. It was followed by a State Funeral at St Paul's Cathedral for the former Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria (1945-72) and former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria (1944-1964).

Knight Commander citation

Lieutenant General Edm[un]d Francis Herring VX15

Upon his return to Australia, after distinguished service in the Middle East as Commander, Royal Artillery, 6th Division, and later as Commander of the 6th Division, General Herring was appointed G.O.C., Northern Territory Force.

He rendered valuable service in the organization of the forces and co-ordination of the plans for the defence of Darwin and in restoring morale after the first enemy air raids on Darwin in February, 1942. He was subsequently appointed G.O.C,. 2nd Australian Corps and later became Commander of the New Guinea Force, A.M.F.

The campaign in Papua was fought under most trying conditions in one of the most difficult regions in the world and General Herring, at all times, displayed outstanding qualities of leadership and unfailing courage and optimism. He was a most successful commander in a campaign which resulted in the decisive defeat of the Japanese forces in Papua.

[NAA: B883, VX15; page 45.]