Major General Sir Robert Joseph Henry Risson, (20 April 1901 – 19 July 1992) was an Australian engineer, soldier, and tramway administrator. After university he worked for the Brisbane Tramways Trust, later under the auspice of Brisbane City Council, as an engineer and administrator. During World War II Risson served in the Middle East and New Guinea. Following the war he returned to the Brisbane tramways, and became chairman of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board from 1949 to 1970. In this position he defended trams, and is considered a major factor in the survival of Melbourne's tram system. Risson had ties with a myriad of professional and community organisations, including the Freemasons, where he served as Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria in the mid-1970s. Risson was decorated for his service, holding the rank of major general and being knighted.
Early life
Robert Joseph Henry Risson was born on 20 April 1901 in Ma Ma Creek, Queensland. He attended Gatton State High School, passing the Senior Public Examination in November 1918, and matriculated to The University of Queensland where he studied Civil Engineering. He graduated in 1922/3 and obtained a Bachelor of Engineering (civil). At university Risson studied at King's College and participated in social events, debates, and became involved with the University of Queensland Rugby Club, becoming president by 1933.
Risson's engagement to Gwendolyn (Gwen) Spurgin was announced in November 1930. The wedding was held on 12 May 1934 in St John's Cathedral, Brisbane, and the couple honeymooned in Melbourne. During the 1920s Gwen also attended The University of Queensland, where she played hockey representing both the university and Australia. Gwen later coached the University of Queensland Women's Hockey Club.
Brisbane Tramways Trust
In June 1923 Risson was employed by the Brisbane Tramways Trust as a junior civil engineer, at an annual wage of £250. Risson's duties with the Brisbane tramways were altered in 1927, following the adoption of a report by Brisbane City Council, which was at that stage in control of Brisbane's tram network. In 1933 Risson assisted the Brisbane Tramways constructional engineer in overseeing track renewal in central Brisbane, and was Permanent Way Engineer by 1939.
Risson fought in active service during World War II, but returned to work with the Brisbane tramways following the war. He worked within Brisbane City Council's Transport Department and rose to Assistant General Manager. During late 1948 Risson was Acting General Manager. Brisbane's tramways undertook an expansion and modernisation program following World War II, introducing modern vehicles and utilising mass-concrete tram track construction methods.
Following Risson's departure to Melbourne to head the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board, it took Brisbane City Council three years to find a replacement. G.A. Preston, an engineer, was announced as Risson's successor in February 1953, and was subsequently elevated to general manager from 1 January 1954; a position to which "Risson was considered the logical successor".
Military career
Risson's military career started on 15 May 1933, when he was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Australian Engineers, which became the Royal Australian Engineers in 1936. He was promoted to captain on 7 September 1936. On 13 October 1939, following the outbreak of the Second World War, Risson enlisted in the Second Australian Imperial Force (AIF), with the rank of major, receiving the AIF service number QX6062.
Risson was sent to the Middle East, where he commanded the 2/3rd Field Company, and then the 7th Division Engineers from 29 May 1941 to 23 January 1942, engaging in the 1941 Siege of Tobruk, where he played a vital role in improving defences, and then in the Syria–Lebanon campaign. On 24 January 1942 he assumed command of the 9th Division Engineers, which he led in the First Battle of El Alamein and the Second Battle of El Alamein. After the 9th Division returned home in 1943, he was promoted to brigadier on 23 March 1943, and became Chief Engineer of II Corps, participating in the New Guinea campaign. He became Chief Engineer of I Corps on 12 April 1944, when the corps number changed. He was temporarily attached to Allied Land Forces Headquarters (LHQ) from 21 May 1944 to 1 July 1944, but returned to command the engineers in the 1945 Borneo campaign.