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Lieutenant Colonel Hyacinth Ralph Honner DSO, MC (17 August 1904 – 14 May 1994), known as Ralph Honner, was a distinguished Australian soldier during the Second World War. He is considered particularly notable for his leadership during the Kokoda Track Campaign, during which he commanded the 39th Battalion, which fought a series of delaying actions as the Japanese advanced towards Port Moresby. In 1943 Honner was wounded during the fighting in the Ramu and Markham Valleys and, as a result, was discharged from the Army in early 1945. In his later life, he worked as an administrator on the War Pensions Assessment Appeal Tribunal. He was also active in the Liberal Party of New South Wales and served as the Australian ambassador to Ireland between 1968 and 1972. He died in 1994, aged 89. ==Early life== Honner was born in Fremantle, Western Australia, on 17 August 1904.〔Brune 2000, p. 12.〕 The third child of six, his parents were Richard and Eleanor Honner. His father was a police officer and the family were devout Catholics. At birth, Honner's full name was Hyacinth Ralph Honner, with his first name being derived from Saint Hyacinth, whose feast day was 17 August,〔Brune 2000, pp. 12–13.〕 however, growing up, this name caused Honner some heartache as he was sometimes mistaken for being female on paperwork and during his formative years at school he informally began using his middle name instead.〔 In 1917, Honner attended Perth Boys School before receiving a scholarship to Perth Modern School, where he started in the beginning of 1918 as a boarder.〔Brune 2000, p. 19.〕 In his early teens Honner was quiet and was considered small and not very athletic by his peers. He was intensely bright, however, and did well in his studies.〔Brune 2000, p. 21.〕 By his final year of school, however, he had filled out from working on his family's property at Cheltenham Park, and had grown to ; he had also become an "accomplished athlete".〔Brune 2000, p. 27.〕 At the age of 18, in 1923, having completed his schooling, Honner enrolled at Claremont Teachers College and began a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Western Australia, majoring in the English and Modern History.〔Brune 2000, p. 24.〕 While he was studying, he met Marjory Collier Bennett, who was also studying to become a teacher,〔Brune 2000, p. 30.〕 and in 1925 they became "unofficially engaged". Lacking the money with which to get married, they would remain engaged for nine years before eventually marrying on 2 June 1934 at Nedlands, Western Australia.〔Brune 2000, pp. 30–34.〕 They would subsequently have four children together: Richard (1936), Brian (1938), Margaret (1943) and John (1946).〔Brune 2000, p. 35, 292 and 295.〕 During this time, Honner also served in the Citizens Forces, joining the 11th/16th Battalion in 1924 and achieving the rank of sergeant by 1927 when he took his discharge.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=WX15 Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Hyacinth (Jump) Honner )〕 In 1927 Honner completed his teaching qualification and began working in Kalgoorlie.〔 Two years later he was offered a position as Senior House Master at Hale School in Perth. Taking the position, he undertook classes at night at the University of Western Australia to obtain a law degree, which was conferred upon him in 1933.〔Brune 2000, p. 33.〕 During this time he also played the occasional game for Claremont in the West Australian Football League, as well as playing rugby union and representing the university in athletics.〔 Upon completing his law degree, Honner went to work at the Parker and Parker law firm in Perth.〔 He also continued his sporting interests and in 1936 rejoined the part-time military forces, which was then known as the Militia.〔 On 25 June 1936 he was appointed as a lieutenant in the 11th/16th Battalion.〔Dennis et al 1995, p. 295.〕〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Ralph Honner」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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