Lt Colonel Oscar (Cedric) Isaachsen DSO

Lt Colonel Oscar (Cedric) Isaachsen

DSO

ATTENDED PULTENEY GRAMMAR SCHOOL 1921 - 1925

Cedric Isaachsen was born on 5 June 1911. He attended Pulteney Grammar School from 1921-1925 and played soccer and cricket. In his final year he finished Dux of the School and won the Church scholarship, enabling him to complete his education at St Peter’s College. He attended the University of Adelaide, obtaining a Bachelor of Laws and was articled to TS O’Halloran KC and admitted to the Bar in 1934.

In 1939 Cedric was elected to the Council of Governors at Pulteney Grammar School as the old scholars’ nominee. He was appointed to the Finance Committee in 1948, being Chairman in 1985. He also served terms as President of the Pulteney Old Scholars’ Association and actively encouraged members to support the school through membership and subscriptions, and by helping with money-raising ventures. He served on Council for 53 years until his retirement in 1992.

During WWII he served with distinction in the Middle East and Papua New Guinea. He was the original commanding officer of D Company of South Australia’s 2/27th Battalion on its formation in May 1940, and was with it when it first went into battle against the Vichy French in Syria in the Middle East. He was wounded and Mentioned in Despatches, awarded the Distinguished Service Order and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the 2/27th Battalion.

Later in the war he led the 36th Militia Battalion in their bloody baptism of fire against the Japanese in Papua in 1942.

After the war Cedric had a distinguished legal career in Adelaide, retiring in 2003 aged 92. He had many long-term community associations such as the Lacrosse Association and Legacy. He was a Master Mason, Past Deputy Grand Master and was conferred the Grand Master’s Order of Service in 2002 in recognition of outstanding service to Mark Masonry over many years.

Cedric Isaachsen died on 28 April 2009 in Adelaide aged 97.