Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Ted was the youngest child of John Fitzmaurice Guy Luther (/explore/people/169059) and Ida Tassie Luther (née Mowbray). He was only two years old, when his father was killed at Gallipoli in 1915. The following year he also lost his aunt, Norma Violet Mowbray (/explore/people/335388), who died from illness while based at the No1 A.G.H. in Egypt.

At the outbreak of WW2, Ted was promoted to Lieutenant with the 61st Battalion and acted as Major-General H.D. Wynter's aide-de-camp. In November 1939, they travelled from Brisbane to North Queensland by flying boat, to inspect militia units in Townsville and Cairns.

The army drafted many of its officers from militia units when it began the task of raising additional A.I.F. Divisions and battalions. In May 1940, twenty five years after his father had enlisted in the original 15th Battalion, Ted joined the newly formed 2/15th Battalion.

Granted pre-embarkation leave in October, Ted married Enid Whittington at St. John's Cathedral. The happy couple were captured leaving the church by Brisbane Telegraph photographers. Nine days later, Ted rejoined his unit.

On Christmas Day 1940, the 2/15th travelled from Redbank, via Brisbane, to Sydney by train, before boarding the H.T. Queen Mary. The convoy, consisting of four transports and a naval escort, sailed through Sydney Heads three days later bound for the Middle East.

With the exception of a brief stint with the 20th Australian Infantry Training Battalion, Ted served with the 2/15th during all their major operations in the Middle East. Promoted in June 1942, the unit diary notes a major reshuffle on the 20th, with Captain Luther being appointed OC of B Coy. In September, Ted took over the QM role, a position he held until his discharge.

The Battalion returned to Australia in early 1943. On completion of his leave, Ted undertook jungle training in preparation for the 2/15th's initial deployment to New Guinea and eventual advance into Brunei. Campaigns in which Ted received his M.I.D. and M.B.E..

On the 8th August 1945, while the Battalion continued to patrol the Limbang area, ten men including Capt. Luther, were the first members of the 2/15th to be released under the 'Five Year Release Scheme'. Recalled to Australia, Ted was discharged from the 2nd A.I.F on the 22nd October 1945. Returning to civilian life, Ted resumed his prewar banking position with the Commonwealth Bank.