John Rowlstone Stevenson

Major General John Rowlstone Stevenson, CBE, DSO[1] (7 October 1908 – 4 July 1971) was an Australian Army officer and a parliamentary officer.

John Stevenson
Born	7 October 1908 Bondi, Sydney
Died	4 July 1971 (aged 62) Fiji
Allegiance	Australia
Service/branch	Citizens Military Force Second Australian Imperial Force
Years of service	1925–1959
Rank	Major General
Commands held	2nd Division (1957–59) 5th Brigade (1948–51) 11th Brigade (1943–45) 2/3rd Battalion (1941–43)
Battles/wars	Second World War Syria–Lebanon Campaign Battle of Damour New Guinea campaign Kokoda Track campaign Bougainville Campaign
Awards	Commander of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Service Order Mentioned in Despatches (2) Commander of the Order of Orange-Nassau (Netherlands)

Stevenson was born in Bondi, Sydney, on 7 October 1908.[2] He was the son of John James Stevenson, who was born in the United States, and Caroline Maude née Rowlstone, from Sydney. He went to Canterbury Boys' Intermediate School, then took an office job. He also played hockey and drove racing cars at the Maroubra speedway.

He rose to the rank of major general in the Australian Army, serving in both the 11th Australian Infantry Brigade and the 2/3rd Australian Infantry Battalion in the Second World War. He died on 4 July 1971, in Fiji. He is known for accepting Nauru as Australian territory.[3]

References

1. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37898/supplement/1085/data.pdf
2. Hopley, J. B. Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University – via Australian Dictionary of Biography.
3. "Temporary Brigadier John Rowlstone Stevenson – Australian War Memorial".