Denzil Macarthur-Onslow

Who was Denzil Macarthur-Onslow?

Major General Sir Denzil Macarthur-Onslow CBE, DSO, ED 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 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.