Prominent Figure / Hero
In the eyes of the Aussie Adventures of WW2, every veteran who stood up for their country. There are numerous prominent Australian figures in World War II but this one stands out from the rest ...
Field Marshal Sir Thomas Blamey
Field Marshall Sir Thomas Blamey was an Australian general during the First and Second World Wars. He is the only Australian to ever attain the role of Field Marshal which is the highest military position in Australia. Thomas Blamey was born in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales on 24 January,1884 and passed away on 27 May, 1951 in Melbourne.
During his childhood, Thomas Blamey was always recognized as a leader and in an Australia - wide military examination, he came in 3rd place and was appointed Lieutenant on the Administrative and Instructional Staff and was posted to Melbourne.
Blamey participated in the First World War and had the position of Staff Officer, he would soon be promoted to rank of Brigadier General later on in the war. He was credited as a crucial factor in many battles. After the war, he was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief of the General Staff and was directly involved in the creation of the Royal Australian Air Force.
Blamey would soon resign from the regular army and would become the Chief Commissioner of the Victoria Police. He would head the recruiting campaign for the voluntary militia before World War II.
When war was declared, Blamey was promoted to Lieutenant General and was appointed to command the 6th division. The issue with Blamey was that he was now out of touch with modern warfare equipment. This highlighted some of his weaknesses but Blamey was quick to learn from them.
On 23 April 1941, Blamey was appointed Deputy Commander in Chief, British Forces in the Middle East. Blamey made some questionable decisions but always did what he felt was right for his country. In March 1942, Blamey arrived in Melbourne to take up his new position as Commander in Chief of the Australian Military Forces. Blamey was hand picked for such a massive role and was in charge of training, administrating and expanding the army for twelve divisions.
Blamey would take on numerous other roles in World War II before retiring to Melbourne. Some consider him Australia;s greatest every General while others think he was tactless. Thomas Blamey never had the physique of an average commander but his mind was second to none. No one doubted his energy and determination and he was relentless. He was known for his quickness of mind and his straightforward personality. He was then promoted to the role of Field Marshal soon after retiring.
Field Marshal Sir Thomas Blamey was not your typical commander but he was one you could trust. His leadership during both the First and Second World Wars separates him from other wartime heroes.
During his childhood, Thomas Blamey was always recognized as a leader and in an Australia - wide military examination, he came in 3rd place and was appointed Lieutenant on the Administrative and Instructional Staff and was posted to Melbourne.
Blamey participated in the First World War and had the position of Staff Officer, he would soon be promoted to rank of Brigadier General later on in the war. He was credited as a crucial factor in many battles. After the war, he was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief of the General Staff and was directly involved in the creation of the Royal Australian Air Force.
Blamey would soon resign from the regular army and would become the Chief Commissioner of the Victoria Police. He would head the recruiting campaign for the voluntary militia before World War II.
When war was declared, Blamey was promoted to Lieutenant General and was appointed to command the 6th division. The issue with Blamey was that he was now out of touch with modern warfare equipment. This highlighted some of his weaknesses but Blamey was quick to learn from them.
On 23 April 1941, Blamey was appointed Deputy Commander in Chief, British Forces in the Middle East. Blamey made some questionable decisions but always did what he felt was right for his country. In March 1942, Blamey arrived in Melbourne to take up his new position as Commander in Chief of the Australian Military Forces. Blamey was hand picked for such a massive role and was in charge of training, administrating and expanding the army for twelve divisions.
Blamey would take on numerous other roles in World War II before retiring to Melbourne. Some consider him Australia;s greatest every General while others think he was tactless. Thomas Blamey never had the physique of an average commander but his mind was second to none. No one doubted his energy and determination and he was relentless. He was known for his quickness of mind and his straightforward personality. He was then promoted to the role of Field Marshal soon after retiring.
Field Marshal Sir Thomas Blamey was not your typical commander but he was one you could trust. His leadership during both the First and Second World Wars separates him from other wartime heroes.