My Sydney: meet Ken Curran, OAM JP
ANZAC Day parades continue to march through the streets of Sydney’s Central Business District, but I depart from the crowds and wander over to Martin Place. Dressed in a green suit jacket, green tie, and a green beret, an elderly gentleman is describing the Commando Memorial to a number of curious visitors.
Mr. Curran
I have the great fortune of meeting Mr. Ken Curran, Australian Army Commando and Military Unarmed Combat (MUC) Instructor.
For about thirty minutes, we sit and talk. I ask him about his service in the Australian forces, and I tell him about how in Canada the annual commemoration occurs Remembrance Day on 11 November. On this late-April day, he remarks how bright, warm, and sunny the mid-autumn weather, very different from colder wetter ANZAC Days in years past. But he is quick to mention he has served in places much hotter and more humid: he has no complaints today.
Commando Memorial, Martin Place.
Commando Memorial, Martin Place.
Kenneth Roy Curran (a.k.a. “Blue” or “Bluey”) was born on the 9th of September 1925 in Waverley, New South Wales (NSW), Australia. He joined the army at age 18 in 1943; by 19, he was eligible to serve overseas, and transferred from Infantry to Commandos. By the end of World War 2, he would serve in Moratai (Indonesia); Labuan, British Borneo (Malaysia); and Rabaul (Papua New Guinea). He returned to civilian life and among a number of jobs, he worked in the NSW police force and the NSW railway. He reenlisted into the Citizens’ Military Forces (precursor to the Reserves) in 1955, and stayed until his retirement from the military in 1975.
In two decades with the 1 Commando Company, he directed annual MUC training for his unit and other military personnel. He also began to train police including members of the NSW Tactical Response Group, and members of the NSW Corrective Services, Australian Protective Services, and Sheriff’s Department.
In 2006, Curran was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in official recognition of his expertise and services related to MUC training activities within the military, and for service to the public community (see also the 2006 media notes in PDF here).
After retiring from the military, he continued to conduct self-defence and training courses for security companies. Even at the age of 85, he carried out training for security officers and taught personal self-defence techniques to the general public.
At the age of 87 (2013), he admits he has slowed down some. But we agree there is still a lot of life to live, and there are many lessons for him to teach. Ultimately, he is happy and relieved that most young Australians today do not have to experience first-hand the deprivations and ravages of war.
More details of Ken Curran’s biography are found here and another interview here. I produced a gallery with pictures of some of the ANZAC Day (25 April) commemoration activities in Sydney, Australia.
Martin Place can be reached by train with stops at Martin Place, St. James, or Wynyard stations. At Martin Place, the Commando Memorial is found at the plaza’s east end by Macquarie Street, and the Sydney Cenotaph is located at the plaza’s west end by George Street.
I made the photos above on ANZAC Day 2013. This post appears on Fotoeins Fotografie at fotoeins DOT com as http://wp.me/p1BIdT-3i5.
Mr. Curran’s Passing
2 July 2019.
I’m saddened to learn of Mr. Curran’s passing. He died in Sydney, Australia, on 27 June 2019 at the age of 93 (ACA).
Fotoeins Fotografie 
14 Responses to “My Sydney: meet Ken Curran, OAM JP”
[…] another post, I write about Ken Curran, an Australian WW2 veteran and medallist of the Order of […]
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This is a great post & great story, Henry. As always, the photographs are also wonderful.
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Hi and thanks, Erik! This story is an example of a chance meeting; I’m pleased to have met and chatted with the gentleman. Looking forward to posts from your recent Europe trip! 🙂
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I met the gentleman a funny guy so happy helpful what do you say that’s the type of guy you think ( HE WILL LAST FOREVER ) would last forevermore I still tell my kids and there friends stories ( true ) about the Great Gentleman ( I watched him flick a person less than half probably close to quarter of his age around the training room/ camp that bloke was trying to hurt him he is a true friend and a Great loss to this game R I P ken Curran Great training with you Richard Finlay
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Hi, Richard. Thank you for reading and for your comment. If you happen to know of Mr. Curran’s whereabouts, please drop another comment or send me e-mail. Thanks again!
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Richard. You say RIP Ken Curran. Mate, Ken is still alive and will be 94 in September. At the moment he is in Arcardia Pittwater Private Hospital after a heart attack. He is being assessed for respite care for a few weeks. I visited him a few days ago and is in high spirits.
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Hi, Robin, and thanks for the update. If you happen to see Mr. Curran again soon, please pass along my greetings from western Canada on the other side of the Pacific
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So sad to hear of Ken’s passing , He was a true gentleman and a friend !
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Hi, Cameron. Thanks for your comment. I’ve just learned of Mr. Curran’s passing from the Australian Commando Association (NSW)’s Facebook page, and I’ve added an image of the obituary at the end of the present post.
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I had the honour of meeting Ken. He was a most decent and honourable man!
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Hello, Simon. I’m pleased to see more had a chance to meet and speak with him. Thank you for stopping by with your comment!
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Hello Henry,
Thank you for the story line and additional information about Ken ‘Bluey’ CURRAN OAM.
As a mark of respect and the fact that he would have assisted so many NSW Police Force officers over the years – I have included him, together with your article, upon the Memorial site – http://www.AustralianPolice.com.au
May Ken CURRAN ( NSWPF ) Forever Rest In Peace: https://www.australianpolice.com.au/kenneth-roy-curran/
regards
Cal
Retired NSWPF
1975 – 2004
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Cal, thank you for your kind note and for stopping by!
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[…] Ken “Bluey” Curran, OAM JP. Martin Place in Sydney’s CBD – ANZAC Day 2013 (450D). […]
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