Denzil Macarthur-Onslow

Sir Denzil Macarthur-Onslow
Born 5 March 1904
Gisborne, New Zealand
Died 30 November 1984 (aged 80)
Allegiance  Australia
Service/branch Australian Army
Years of service 1924–1932
1935–1953
1954–1958
Rank Major General
Battles/wars

World War II

Awards Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Distinguished Service Order
Mentioned in Despatches (2)
Efficiency Decoration
Relations Arthur Macarthur-Onslow (father)
James Macarthur-Onslow (uncle)
George Macarthur-Onslow (uncle)

Major General Sir Denzil Macarthur-Onslow CBE, DSO, ED (5 March 1904 30 November 1984) was an Australian general.

Macarthur-Onslow, the son of grazier Arthur Macarthur-Onslow, enlisted in the Australian Citizens Military Forces in 1924. In 1935, he was appointed captain Ex Reserve of Officers in the 2nd Military District of the Australian Field Artillery; on 31 June 1936 he was appointed a captain in the Royal Australian Artillery. On 26 May 1939, he was appointed captain of the 2nd Australian Armoured Regiment and a captain in the Second Australian Imperial Force. He was promoted major in October 1939 and served with the 6th Australian Division Reconnaissance Regiment. On 11 June 1941 he was promoted lieutenant colonel and placed in command of the 6th Australian Division Cavalry Regiment, and on 23 April 1942 was appointed second in command of the 1st Australian Armoured Brigade. On 14 July he was promoted temporary brigadier to command of the brigade. He relinquished command in March 1946 and was granted the rank of honorary brigadier; he was promoted brigadier on 4 January 1949. He was discharged in August 1953 but re-enlisted in August 1954, commanding the 2nd Division; he transferred to the Reserve on 1 December 1957 and was appointed to the Military Board on 1 December 1958 as a major general.[1]

Macarthur-Onslow was also politically active; he was by far the most successful candidate for the Liberal Democratic Party at the 1943 federal election, coming close to winning the seat of Eden-Monaro. He contested Eden-Monaro again for the Liberal Party in 1946 and 1949.

References