Thomas Trumble

Thomas Trumble, CMG, CBE (9 April 1872 – 2 July 1954) was a career Australian public servant who was appointed acting Secretary of the Department of Defence during the First World War, and Secretary from 1918 to 1927.

Thomas Trumble CMG, CBE
Secretary of the Department of Defence
In office February 1918 – July 1927
Prime Minister	Billy Hughes (1918–23) Stanley Bruce (1923–27)
Minister	George Pearce (1918–21) Walter Massy-Greene (1921–23) Eric Bowden (1923–25) Sir Neville Howse (1925–27) Sir William Glasgow (1927)
Preceded by	Sir Samuel Pethebridge
Succeeded by	Malcolm Shepherd
Personal details
Born	9 April 1872 Ararat, Victoria
Died	2 July 1954 (aged 82) Caulfield, Victoria
Nationality	Australian
Education	Wesley College, Melbourne
Occupation	Public servant
Awards	Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George Commander of the Order of the British Empire

Trumble was the first Secretary who did not have a military background. After his Secretary role, he subsequently served as official secretary to the high commission for Australia in London, and Australian Defence Liaison Officer in London, retiring in 1932. During the Second World War, he was welcomed when he returned to public service from 1940 to 1943 as director of voluntary services, Department of Defence Co-ordination.[1]

His older brothers Billy and Hugh played Test cricket for Australia.

References

1. Hyslop, Robert (1990), "Trumble, Thomas (1872–1954)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, MUP, 12