Allegiance Australia Died November 27, 1993 | Name Rudolph Bierwirth Years of service 1915–1956 Rank Lieutenant general | |
 | ||
Battles/wars Second World WarNorth African CampaignSouth West Pacific theatreNew Guinea campaign Awards Commander of the Order of the British EmpireMentioned in Despatches (2) Battles and wars North African Campaign, South West Pacific theatre of World War II, New Guinea campaign, World War II | ||
Lieutenant General Rudolph Bierwirth CBE (30 January 1899 – 27 November 1993) was career officer in the Australian Army who served in many senior positions, and rose to General Officer rank in the 1950s.
Early life and military career
Born in Adelaide, he enlisted in RMC Duntroon in 1915, was commissioned in 1918, appointed Brigade major in 1927 (6th Brigade) and substantive major in 1937. He enlisted in the 2nd AIF and served in the Middle East, and was appointed LTCOL and CO of the 72nd (2/33rd) Battalion in 1940.
He was awarded an OBE in 1942, and returned to Australia in 1942 where he was appointed temporary brigadier in charge – Administration Northern Territory Force/Headquarters 12th Division.
He was promoted to lieutenant colonel (Australian Staff Corps) in May 1943 prior to arriving in New Guinea and serving as Deputy adjutant quartermaster general Headquarters 1 Australian Corps & New Guinea Force. After a period in Townsville, he returned to Lae, followed by periods in Townsville, Madang, Bouganville, and Lae, rising to Brigadier, before returning to Cairns in May 1945.
From 1945 to 1950 he served in a number of positions in Europe and the UK, was Honorary aide de camp to the Governor General, and Quarter master general. At the end of 1950 he was promoted to temporary Major General, a rank that became substantive in 1952.
He was promoted to temporary Lieutenant General in 1954, serving as Commander in Charge BCFK 1954–1956.
He retired in 1956, and died in 1993.