Major General John Raymond Broadbent, (24 June 1914 – 27 October 2006) was an Australian Army officer and lawyer.
Broadbent studied at the University of Sydney, gaining the degrees of Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts in 1938.
He was made a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for "energy and determined leadership at Lae and Finschhafen" as a major in 1944.
He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queen's Birthday Honours List on 10 June 1967.
Joined the Sydney University Regiment in 1935 and was commissioned in 1937.
He served in 17 Battalion (The North Sydney Regiment) militia pre-World War II.
He enlisted in Second Australian Imperial Force on 7 May 1940 with Army number NX12225, and arrived in the Middle East in November.
Appointed Captain in 1941.
Returned to Sydney in February 1943, and was posted to New Guinea from August 1943 to February 1944.
Appointed temporary Lieutenant Colonel February 1944 and awarded DSO in April 1944.
Posted to Borneo April to December 1945
Discharged on 15 March 1946 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel while Commanding Officer of 2/17th Battalion AIF.
Appointed the first Commanding Officer of the 17/18th Battalion (The North Shore Regiment) on the raising of the Citizen Military Forces (CMF) in 1948 with the Army Number 261506.
Placed on the Reserve of Officers in 1951.
He was appointed Commander 5th Brigade as a Brigadier in 1955.
In 1958 he joined Eastern Command Officers Staff Group (ACMF).
He was promoted to Major General in 1963 to command Headquarters Communications Zone.
From August 1965 to November 1966 he was General Officer commanding 2nd Division.
December 1966 - Unattached List Eastern Command.
