Sir John Klunder Jensen OBE (20 March 1884 – 17 February 1970) was a senior Australian public servant. He was Secretary of the Department of Munitions between 1942 and 1948.
Sir John Jensen | |
|---|---|
| Secretary of the Department of Munitions | |
| In office 1 January 1942 – 5 April 1948 | |
| Secretary of the Department of Supply and Development | |
| In office 6 July 1948 – 31 July 1949 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Klunder 20 March 1884 Bendigo, Victoria |
| Died | 17 February 1970 (aged 85) Hawthorn, Melbourne, Victoria |
| Resting place | Box Hill Cemetery |
| Nationality |  Australian |
| Spouse(s) | Maria Ruby Gordon (m. 1911) |
| Occupation | Public servant |
Life and career
editJohn Jensen was born in Bendigo, Victoria on 20 March 1884.[1]
He joined the Commonwealth Public Service in 1901, the year of Australia's federation and the year the service was first established.[1]
In 1920, Jensen visited the United States on rifle-manufacturing business, and he went on to study factory administration in England and in the United States.[2]
In January 1942, Jensen was appointed Secretary of the Department of Munitions.[3][4] During his time as permanent head of the Munitions department, he was a member of the Allied Supply Standing Committee and the executive of the Allied Supply Council.[5] In the role, he played a leading part in organizing munitions supply during World War II.[6] His department was abolished in 1948 after scaling down after the world war.[5] At this time, Jensen was moved to head the Department of Supply and Development.[7] In his role at the Department of Supply and Development, he found himself frequently journeying to South Australia, including to visit the Woomera Rocket Range, and in connection to uranium mining.[8]
Jensen retired in 1949.[9] Immediately after retirement he took work as a member of the Commonwealth Immigration Planning Council.[5]
On 17 February 1970, Jensen died in Hawthorn, Melbourne.[1]
Awards and honours
editIn 1938, Jensen was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.[10] In the 1950 Birthday Honours he was made a Knight Bachelor, for services to munitions production.[11]
In December 1969, the Victorian headquarters of the Department of Supply was named Jensen House in John Jensen's honour.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Steven, Margaret (1996), "Jensen, Sir John Klunder (1884–1970)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Australian National University, archived from the original on 18 April 2014
- ^ "Successor to Mr. Brigden: Mr. J. K. Jensen". The Sydney Morning Herald. 1 January 1942. p. 4.
- ^ "Munitions Department Appointment". The Mercury. Hobart, Tasmania. 1 January 1942. p. 5.
- ^ CA 39: Department of Munitions, Central Administration, National Archives of Australia, archived from the original on 13 March 2020, retrieved 8 May 2014
- ^ a b c CP 138: Sir John Klunder JENSEN OBE, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 8 May 2014
- ^ "Mr. Jensen To Speed Up Homes For Migrants". The Canberra Times. 12 April 1949. p. 2.
- ^ CA 54: Department of Supply and Development, Central Office [II], National Archives of Australia, archived from the original on 22 February 2015, retrieved 8 May 2014
- ^ "Mr. J. K. Jensen in new post: Accommodation for migrants". The Advertiser. Adelaide, South Australia. 12 April 1949. p. 2.
- ^ "Secretary of Supply Department", Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate, p. 4, 9 April 1949,
Mr. H. P. Breen has been appointed Secretary of the Department of Supply and Development, in succession to Mr. J. K. Jensen, who has reached retiring age.
- ^ "Search Australian Honours: JENSEN, John Klunder", itsanhonour.gov.au, Australian Government, archived from the original on 8 May 2014
- ^ "Search Australian Honours: JENSEN, John Klunder", itsanhonour.gov.au, Australian Government, archived from the original on 8 May 2014
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