Sir Stanley George Savige | |
|---|---|
 Captain Stanley Savige of the Australian Imperial Force, 1918 | |
| Nickname(s) | Stan |
| Born | 26 June 1890 Morwell, Victoria |
| Died | 15 May 1954 (aged 63) Kew, Victoria |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Service | Australian Army |
| Years of service | 1915–1946 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Service number | VX13 |
| Commands | II Corps (1944–45) New Guinea Force (1944) I Corps (1944) 3rd Division (1942–44) 17th Infantry Brigade (1939–41) 10th Infantry Brigade (1935–39) 24th Infantry Battalion (1928–35) 37th Infantry Battalion (1924–28) Urmia Force (1918) |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire Companion of the Order of the Bath Distinguished Service Order Military Cross Mentioned in Despatches (4) Greek War Cross (Class A) |
| Other work | Founder, Legacy Australia Director, Olympic Tyre & Rubber Co. Ltd Chairman, Moran & Cato Ltd. Chairman, Central War Gratuity Board Commissioner, State Savings Bank of Victoria |
Lieutenant General Sir Stanley George Savige, KBE, CB, DSO, MC, ED (26 June 1890 – 15 May 1954) was an Australian Army soldier and officer who served in the First World War and Second World War.
In March 1915, after the outbreak of the First World War, Savige enlisted in the First Australian Imperial Force. He served in the ranks during the Gallipoli Campaign, and received a commission. He later served on the Western Front, where he was twice recommended for the Military Cross for bravery. In 1918, he joined Dunsterforce and served in the Caucasus Campaign, during which he was instrumental in protecting thousands of Assyrian refugees. He subsequently wrote a book, Stalky's Forlorn Hope, about his experiences. After the war he played a key role in the establishment of Legacy Australia, the war widows and orphans benefit fund.
During the early years of the Second World War, Savige commanded the 17th Infantry Brigade in the North African Campaign, the Battle of Greece and Syria–Lebanon Campaign. His outspoken criticism of professional soldiers earned him their rancour. He returned to Australia in early 1942, and later commanded the 3rd Division in the Salamaua–Lae campaign. He ultimately rose to the rank of lieutenant general in the Australian Army, commanding the II Corps in the Bougainville Campaign.
In later life, Savige was a director of Olympic Tyre & Rubber Ltd from 1946 to 1951 and chairman of Moran & Cato Ltd from 1950 to 1951. He was also chairman of the Central War Gratuity Board from 1946 to 1951, and a commissioner of the State Savings Bank of Victoria.