Field Marshal Sir Thomas Albert Blamey GBE KCB CMG DSO ED psc1884-1951

Bamey started military service in 1906 as a lieutenant in the Cadet Instructional Staff, in 1912 attended the Staff College Quetta, then was seconded to the British army as a major.

On the outbreak of World War 1 he transferred to the AIF, moving to Egypt as intelligence officer 1st Division, serving in Gallipoli and France as a staff officer. After brief periods commanding a battalion and brigade, he moved to the Australian Corps in 1918 as chief of staff, where he is credited with a share of its outstanding successes.

Between wars he served in senior staff postings, then in 1925 transferred from the PMF to the Militia, eventually commanding 3rd Division. He was also Victorian Chief Commissioner of Police, and in 1938 Controller-General of Recruiting, running a successful campaign to revitalise the Militia divisions.

After the outbreak of World War 2 he was promoted lieutenant general and AIF commander in the Middle East, where he resisted the usual British attempts to break up Australian formations and absorb them into British ones. He commanded Anzac Corps in the Greek campaign, was promoted general and then neutralised by appointment as Deputy C in C Middle East.

Recalled to Australia as C in C AMF, he became a controversial leader, dismissing later-CGS Rowell from 1st Corps in New Guinea, and relegating both him and Lavarack to backwaters. He was unwilling to stand up to Supreme Commander SWPA Macarthur and Prime Minister Curtin, and permitted the Australian Army to be heavily involved in the unnecessary and costly campaigns in Borneo, New Guinea and the Islands in the final year of the war.