Charles Hughes Cousens

Charles Hughes Cousens (26 August 1903 - 9 May 1964) was an Australian radio broadcaster, television presenter and army officer.

Cousens was a radio and television personality known for his programs on 2GB and Channel 7 in Sydney. Despite being committed for trial in August 1946, the charge was dropped in December 1946.

Cousens always maintained he delivered the propaganda broadcasts because he had been threatened by the Japanese with torture and death.

Early life Cousens was born in Poona, India. He attended school in England where he was educated at Wellington College in Crowthorne. After attending the Royal Military College at Sandhurst, he was commissioned in 1924.

He continued working at 2GB until 1940, after the start of World War II.

World War II At the onset of World War II, Cousens was appointed captain in the Second Australian Imperial Force in 1940 and posted to the 2/19th Battalion. He was in Malaya when Japan entered the war in 1941. Cousens' wife Winifred Cousens said that she was disheartened to hear her husband talk against the British. In the letter, Cousens described the morale of the Australian prisoners as "wonderful" and that Australia could be proud of them. In November 1945, the Australian Army transported him from Brisbane to Sydney while attempting to keep his arrival secret. After his arrival in Sydney, his wife complained of not being permitted to see him despite being told that she would be able to, stating: "My husband sent me a telegram telling me he expected to arrive on Wednesday and that he would telephone me as soon as he was here. I was not prepared for his arrival a day earlier. It is terrible, after five years, to know he is here and not to see him. His six-year-old son Robert had also been counting on him to arrive on Wednesday." It was discovered that he had developed a heart condition due to starvation. He was subsequently placed under open arrest and was allowed to visit his wife's family at Mosman.

He was then charged with high treason in New South Wales under the Treason Act 1351. Speaking afterwards, Cousens expressed his happiness at the decision and thanked people for their kindness. However, if he desired, could refer to himself as "ex-Major Cousens". However, because Cousens had been stripped of his commission, he was not permitted to wear his service ribbons but he defiantly wore a sprig of rosemary as well as a Legion of Ex-Serviceman badge.

In June 1950, Cousens denied allegations made by Japanese army major Hiroshi Itsui during the war crimes trials that Cousens had been the guest of honour at a farewell party after eight Australians were executed.

Later career He returned to work at 2GB in February 1947. After his return, Cousens hosted Quality Corner and Reflections in a Wine Glass.

In December 1949, Cousens hosted a Carols by Candlelight event at North Sydney Oval.

In April 1950, Cousens gave evidence before the Federal Conciliation Commissioner to support a claim by the Announcers and Actors' Equity for a new award.

He resigned from 2GB in August 1953 to join a Sydney business firm. He returned to 2GB in 1955 where he hosted Melody on Wheels, Shopping Service and Musical Magazine.

In November 1957, he moved into television and commenced the role as a news presenter at ATN-7.

In 1959, Cousens commenced hosting the Commonwealth Bank Hour of Music. The show also aired on GTV-9 in Melbourne.

Cousens left ATN-7 in April 1960.

Personal life and death He married advertising representative Dorothy May Allen on 20 May 1929 at St John's Anglican Church in Darlinghurst.

Cousens died on 9 May 1964 after suffering a heart attack. His funeral was held on 12 May 1964 at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium, which followed a memorial service in a chapel at Allan Walsh Pty Ltd in Chatswood.