Captain Edward Broughton

Date19 December 1943

Object numberANMS0221[005]

NameCard

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Heinz Lippmann

Terms

DescriptionA card featuring a photograph of Captain Edward A.Broughton and is addressed to Private Heinz Lippmann. The card was sent from Tocumwal, New South Wales, and is dated 19 December, 1943. Captain Broughton commanded the 8th Australian Employment Company which was made up of a large contingent of men who had been transported to Australia on HMT DUNERA after escaping Nazi persecution in Germany. After their release from internment camps in New South Wales and Victoria, many remained in Australia and chose to support the war effort by enlisting with the Australian Military Forces.HistoryEdward Renata (Muhunga) Broughton was born in New Zealand in 1884. In 1902 he served in the Boer War despite lying about his age in order to enlist. On his return to New Zealand he became secretary to the chief judge of the Native Land Court until 1915 when he joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. Broughton registered under the name of Muhunga and arrived in Gallipoli in June 1915. In 1916 he served in France and after being mentioned in dispatches, was promoted to captain in 1917. After returning to New Zealand and ending his service in May 1919, Broughton moved to Australia and settled in Melbourne. In 1940 after the war broke out, Broughton joined the Australian Imperial Force. He was discharged in September 1940 however for being deceptive about his age (he claimed to be 16 years younger than he really was.) After serving in the Australian militia he was transferred to the Army Camp Service in October 1942 and became commander of the 8th Employment Company. This company consisted of a large number of 'DUNERA Boys", men who had been transported to internment camps in Australia from England at the start of the war. It was in this role that Broughton seemed to excel and it was noted that: "The company consisted of refugees from Nazi persecution, most of them transported from Britain in H.M.T. DUNERA; all had volunteered for army service and joined from internment camps. Apart from the detachments based in New South Wales at Albury and Tocumwal, the unit was stationed in Melbourne where it provided labour on the docks, in warehouses and at railway yards. While 'Tip' Broughton was reticent about himself, he was devoted to the men he commanded. Intelligent, well read and gifted with a sense of humour, he learned German phrases, spoke to his charges in two languages, knew many of them by their first names, respected Jewish custom and did much to restore their confidence as free men. Comprising volunteers between 18 and 60 years of age, and including some veterans from World War I, they constituted a unique entity in the Australian forces. Captain Broughton was a humane leader who enjoyed their affection and respect." (Loewald, Klaus, 'Australian Dictionary of Biography', Volume 13, (MUP), 1993.)