Military Cross : Captain R T Eason, 2/2 Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery Accession Number: REL/04726.001

Description

Military Cross (Geo VI). Engraved on reverse lower arm with date of award.

Contextual Description

Richard Thomas 'Dick' Eason was born at Geelong, Victoria, in November 1913. He joined the Post Master General's Department as a young man, starting as a telegram boy and working his way up to trainee Telephone Technician by 1939. He also joined the Militia in 1937, becoming a gunner in the Royal Australian Artillery, and enlisted in the AIF in late 1939. With the service number VX998, he was posted to 2/2 Field Regiment RAA, and quickly rose to the rank of sergeant. Eason was reputedly offered a commission prior to embarkation, but refused, as this would have meant leaving the regiment. In any case, he was granted a commission in the field in September 1940, after the unit arrived in North Africa. He served as a lieutenant during the Libyan offensives, and throughout the disastrous campaigns in Greece and Crete, before returning to Australia in 1942. It was some considerable time before 2/2 Field Regiment was again committed to fighting, in the Aitape-Wewak area of New Guinea. In March 1945, Eason, now holding the rank of captain, was involved in an action at Arohemi, near the Anumb River, which led to his being awarded the Military Cross. He was discharged in September 1945, but soon rejoined the Citizens Military Forces (CMF), and in 1954, with the rank of lieutenant colonel, was given command of 22 Field Regiment. He led this armoured unit, which was equipped with the 'Yeramba' self-propelled 25 pounder gun, until it was disbanded in 1957. A variety of staff positions followed, and in 1959, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier, becoming Commander, Royal Australian Artillery, to the 3rd Division. He had also been successful in his post-war career with the Post Master General's Department, and for many years was Instructor at the PMG Technician's Training School, as well as chairman of the Victorian Country Fire Authority and a prominent member of the RSL. Dick Eason retired in 1978, but died suddenly in November of the following year. The recommendation for the award of the Military Cross reads as follows: 'At AROHEMI (Map ref V747246) on 5 Mar 45, this officer was FOO with Mountain Force. After the initial assault on AROHEMI DZ he went forward with a small escort party to within 50 yds of the enemy position to bring Arty fire to bear. Due to the density of jungle this was the only position from which registration could be carried out. During the registration Capt. EASON's party came under fire from Jap position and one attempt was made by a raiding force to destroy OPO and party. Part of the plan for the attack on the enemy position included an air strike, timed for 0900 hrs, on a target to be indicated by Arty fire and smoke. At 0845 hrs whilst registration was in progress, word was received that air strike was cancelled. As all the guns had not been registered at this time, Capt. EASON and his party moved forward to his former position to complete registration of all guns. Whilst doing this the air strike was, in fact, put down right on Capt. EASON's OP. Despite the danger and the fact that his signaller and eleven of his escort were either killed or wounded, Capt. EASON held his position and endeavoured to bring down Arty fire to indicate correct target to Air Force. The following day he went forward with recce party to a new OP to check his previous registration. This he was able to do from a position of 50 yds from enemy position. The Infantry, assisted by covering fire, advanced to a position 6 yds from enemy where a grenade battle was fought for 12 hrs. During this battle Capt. EASON remained with forward Infantry to take any advantage that may have presented itself to help the Infantry forward. During the whole operation Capt. EASON's coolness and courage were outstanding.'