Victor Windeyer's Legacy: Legal and Military Papers

Sir Victor Windeyer achieved distinction as a lawyer, a legal historian and soldier. In World War II he commanded the 2/48th Battalion at Tobruk. After promotion to Brigade, he commanded the 20th Brigade at El Alamein and thereafter in campaigns in New Guinea and North Borneo. In 1950 he was promoted to Major-General. He was a Justice of the High Court of Australia from 1959 to 1972.

This collection of his speeches and papers illustrates his talents in each of those three aspects of his distinguished life.

It includes his moving address to the men of the 20th Brigade after the Battle of El Alamein, a comprehensive account of the establishment of the rule of law in Australia, his stirring eulogy to Field Marshall Montgomery, a history of responsible government in New South Wales, an entertaining history of law dictionaries from the 16th century to modern times, his comprehensive opinion given to Justice RM Hope of the extent to which the Commonwealth Defence Forces might be called out in times of civil unrest in a State, and fascinating accounts of some aspects of the history of his family.

Throughout these speeches and papers the reader is struck by the depth and breadth of Sir Victor’s knowledge of the law, of legal history and military history as well as by his compassion for his fellow man.