From the Archives, 1951: Australia mourns military genius, Thomas Blamey
First published in The Age on May 28, 1951
SIR THOMAS BLAMEY DIES IN HOSPITAL
Leader in Two World Wars
MANY TRIBUTES
Representing Australia, General Sir Thomas Blamey signs the Japanese surrender document on board the USS Missouri.Credit:Frank Filan, AP
Sir Thomas Blamey, the first and only Australian soldier to be appointed a Field Marshal, died in Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital yesterday morning.
He will be accorded a State funeral in Melbourne with full military honors on Wednesday afternoon.
During World War II, Field Marshal Blamey was Commander in Chief of the Australian General forces.
Lady Blamey was with the Field Marshal on Saturday night, but was not present when he died.
He had been in hospital for 11 months.
Sir Thomas Blamey was created a Field Marshal in the Birthday Honors list last year.
He received his Field Marshal’s baton from the Governor-General (Mr McKell) at an impressive ceremony at Heidelberg Hospital on September 18.
Aged 67, Sir Thomas Blamey was born at Wagga and was originally a school teacher. He joined the Australian army in 1906.
General Thomas Blamey with General Douglas MacArthur
The Governor-General (Mr McKell) said last night: Field Marshal Sir Thomas Blamey has earned the respect and gratitude of all people of Australia by his outstanding and untiring leadership.
“He has made himself a place in the history of the nation.”
The Governor (Sir Dallas Brooks) said: “Australia has lost its greatest soldier and Victoria one of its great citizens.
“Field Marshal Sir Thomas Blamey was an excellent leader and one who gained Australia and her fighting forces many glowing tributes.”
The Prime Minister (Mr. Menzies) said: “Field Marshal Sir Thomas Blarney was a magnificent soldier and a devoted servant of his people.
“He was a man in whom patriotism, great ability, strength of mind and force of character were blended in the most massive proportions.
Prime Minister John Curtin with Sir Thomas BlameyCredit:The Age Archives
Our sympathy goes out to his widow and family in their own irreparable loss.”
The president of the Returned Servicemen’s League (Mr. Holland) said all returned men would mourn the passing of Sir Thomas Blamey, who was one of the really great men of our time.
The Minister for the Army (Mr. Francis) said: “His military genius and organising ability, combined with a strong and pleasing personality, made him a leader of men.
“Australia mourns the loss of one of her most distinguished soldiers.”
Military Leader
The Premier (Mr. McDonald) said Australia had lost a great military leader in Sir Thomas Blamey.
He had rendered very great service to the people of his country.
The Chief of the General Staff (Lieutenant–General S. F. Rowell) said: “All ranks of the Australian army will mourn the passing of its first and only field marshal.
His place in the nation’s history will always be unchallenged.”
Lieutenant-General Sir Stanley Savige said: “His service to the nation was unparalleled. No soldier has done so much to establish the reputation of the Australian army in peace and war.”
In America General MacArthur expressed profound regret and sorrow when informed of Sir Thomas Blamey’s death.
General MacArthur said he had always thought of Sir Thomas Blamey as a great soldier.
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