Thomas Blamey signed Japan’s 1945 surrender document on behalf of Australia.
General Sir Thomas Blamey represented Australia at the surrender ceremony aboard USS Missouri on September 2, 1945. He signed the document at 9:17 a.m. Tokyo time, immediately after Soviet representative Kuzma Derevyanko.
Blamey was the senior Australian military officer during much of World War II and served as commander in chief of the Australian Military Forces. Australia’s separate signature reflected its independent contribution to the Allied war effort, even though it was part of the British Commonwealth.
The Australian signature is distinct from the British signature made by Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser. Australia, Canada, and New Zealand each had their own representatives at the ceremony. Blamey’s role is also different from that of General Douglas MacArthur, who accepted the surrender as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers rather than signing as Australia’s representative.