George Oswald Campbell Blackett

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Tue, 14/07/2015 - 13:27

First Name:

George

Middle Name:

Oswald Campbell

Last Name:

Blackett

Date of Birth:

Thursday, September 2, 1897

Mother's Name:

Louisa (nee Reece)

Father's Name:

Edward Blackett

Date Enlisted:

Monday, June 21, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Lance Corporal

Unit:

18th Battalion

Company:

A Company

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

Military Medal

1914/1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Monday, May 29, 1978

Place of Death:

Tenterfield

Details:

George Blackett (Service No 1884) was a single 19 year old miner from Scarborough, NSW who had spent time with the 37th Infantry CMF.

He embarked on HMAT A54 Runic on 9th August 1915 with 3rd Reinforcements, 20th Battalion. George arrived on Gallipoli on 29th September 1915 but was evacuated to hospital in Malta on 27th October 1915 with pneumonia. After the evacuation he went to France with 18th Battalion where he served.

George was awarded the Military Medal for his actions in 1917. The citation reads, 'During the advance on the HANEBEKE on 20th September 1917 he kept his men under good control and did splendid work in consolidation. During night 20th and 21st September he noticed an enemy patrol, he went out, captured and brought them in single-handed. There were three men in the patrol. He did good work throughout.'
(Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31) Date: 7 March 1918.

He returned to Australia in April 1919 and was discharged on 24th July 1919. George married Edith Williams on 22nd August 1924. He died in Tenterfield, NSW at age 80.

George's brother James (Service No 1166) also served and was killed in action at Gallipoli

Sources:

NAA: B2455, BLACKETT G O C