ISSUE 34 : May/Jun - 1982 - Australian Defence Force Journal

10 DEFENCE FORCE JOURNAL No. 34. May June 82
uniform at important parades, dinners and
other activities. On 31st March, 1944 he and
General Sturdee were chief guests at a dinner
given by General Blarney. On Anzac Day 1944,
Sir Edmund, mounted on horseback, led the
marchers to the Shrine. At a Town Hall
Reception in his honour, he commended military
service as one of the highest duties of a
citizen.
On 24th August, 1945 Herring led a Victory-
Parade estimated at 20,000, through Melbourne
streets. During the period following,
Sir Edmund was appointed Chairman of Trustees
of the Shrine of Remembrance, to succeed
another great soldier General Sir Harry Chauvel.
It was fitting that many years later, Sir
Edmund was in turn to be succeeded by his
great friend and helper, Colonel Sir Alfred
Kemsley, who has also rendered conspicuous
service to the State of Victoria. In passing, it
may be added that Sir Alfred was a dedicated
assistant and advisor to both Field Marshal Sir
Thomas Blarney and Sir Edmund Herring.
Sir Edmund's other activities included Chairman
on the Board of Management of the
Australian War Memorial, President of Toe
H, President of the Boy Scouts Association of
Victoria and also Founding President of the
Scout Association of Australia, President of
the "Old Melburnians" — the list goes on and
on.
Sir Edmund received a further honour in
June 1949, being made a Knight Commander
of the Order of St Michael and St. George.
Shortly after he received the Greek Military
Cross which was awarded in 1951.
The year 1950 brought the Korean War and
the Australian Government quickly resolved to
send Australian Forces to assist. This required
an immediate boost in recruiting. Prime Minister
Menzies requested that Sir Edmund Herring
be made available as Director General of
Recruiting in the Department of Defence. This
was agreed. To those of us serving in the
Defence Department at the time, we could not
help but recall that General Blarney had occupied
a similar position before the outbreak of
World War II. The distinguished Secretary of
the Defence Department at the time, Sir Frederick
Shedden, who played an important role
in the appointment of all senior officers in the
Armed Forces for several decades, was known
to regard Sir Edmund as a priority candidate
for any top job in war. Perhaps this was in
mind if the war in Korea developed into a
larger conflict. The mantles of Monash and
Blarney would have rested lightly on Herring.
Sir Edmund drove his officers very hard
from the start. The pressure to obtain recruits
was apparent to everyone. Much had to be
done quickly. Whilst expecting total dedication
from his staff, he was always compassionate
and understanding. He was always regarded
with affection and respect.
During his period as Director General, General
herring was always on the move; visiting
all States, setting up committees and calling
on State Governors to assist in the recruiting
activities. He found ready help from some of
his former A.I.F. colleagues, Sir John Northcott,
Governor of N.S.W., Sir John Laverack,
Governor of Queensland and Sir Willoughby
Norrie in South Australia, who had served
with Sir Edmund in the Middle East. At the
peak of the recruiting drive, over 600 local
committees had been set up to assist in the
work. At the end of August 1951 Herring
stepped down from the Director General's job
to return to being Victoria's Chief Justice.
Prime Minister Menzies warmly commended
the splendid service he had given. He was
succeeded by Lieut. General Sir Horace Robertson.
Concurrent with his activities on recruiting,
Sir Edmund was concerned with ways and
means to restore national morale and to counter
disruptive organisations in the community.
Menzies introduced Sir Edmund to Paul
McGuire who had similar views. Together they
produced a document named "The Call". In
this work they were assisted by the Victorian
Chamber of Commerce. "The Call to the
People of Australia" was launched by a nationwide
broadcast on 11th November, 1951.
"The Call" had the approval and support
of leading Churchmen, State governors, Chief
Justices and the Victorian Chamber of Commerce.
Many people will remember the terms
of "The Call"; but for full details see "Ned
Herring" by Stuart Sayer (Page 313).
This was another telling example of Sir
Edmund's life-long interest in the welfare of
people and the propagation of Christian principles
in a law abiding community.
Another return to military duties occurred
in January 1953. Sir Edmund was invited to
lead the Australian Services Contingent at the
Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. His great