DE PASSEY, William
| Service Number: | 1 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Captain |
| Last Unit: | 2nd Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse |
| Born: | Kidderminster, England, 1 December 1861 |
| Home Town: | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Schooling: | King Charles Grammar School, Kidderminster, England |
| Occupation: | Soldier |
| Died: | Natural causes, Kent Town, South Australia, 16 June 1942, aged 80 years |
| Cemetery: |
Mitcham Cemetery, S.A. |
| Memorials: | Naval & Military Club of SA - Boer War Roll of Honour |
Boer War Service
| 1 Oct 1899: | Involvement Warrant Officer I, 1, 2nd South Australian Mounted Rifles | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Nov 1899: | Involvement Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Regimental Sergeant Major, 2nd South Australian Contingent Mounted Rifles | |
| 1 Feb 1900: | Involvement Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Lieutenant, 2nd Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse | |
| 1 Apr 1901: | Involvement Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Captain, 2nd Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse |
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Add my storyBiography
"DEATH OF WAR VETERAN. Col. De Passey, 81
Lieutenant-Colonel W. dePassey, who died at Kent Town yesterday, aged 81, had a colorful military career. He came to Australia in 1888, and was regarded as one of the best cavalry instructors in South Australia. During the last war he had charge of the first A.I.F. camp at Morphetitville in 1914. Later he took over the Mitcham Camp. Enlisting in England 65 years ago, he served in the Zulu War in 1879. and also saw active service in India and other countries. In 1897 he attended the Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
BOER WAR ESCAPE
Col. de Passey was a Boer War veteran. During that campaign his life was saved when a bullet was deflected by a book carried in his left breast pocket. Col. de Passey went to Western Australia in 1936 to reside with his son, who is a mine manager. He retired to South Australia about 18 months ago. He was a member of the Mostyn Lodge of Freemasons for more than 50 years. A widow and one son survive him. Members of the South African War Veterans' Association will at tend the burial service at Mitcham Cemetery tomorrow afternoon." - from the Adelaide News 17 Jun 1942 (nla.gov.au)
"DE PASSEY.— On June 16, 1942, at Norwood, South Australia, Lieutenant-Colonel William de Passey (A. and I. Staff, retired), father of Roy, father-in-law of Edwyna de Passey, loving grandfather of Una, Bill (R.A.A.F.), Cedric (A.I.F.) and Ian, great-grandfather of Helen and Edward, aged 82 years, active service with 17th Lancers, South Australian Mounted Rifles and 1st Australian Commonwealth Horse." - from the Kalgoorlie Miner 17 Jun 1942 (nla.gov.au)
Biography
Regimental Sergeant Major; served in the Zulu Campaign as well as in India.
Also served as a Captain with 2nd Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse and in WW1 was a Major and Honorary Lieutenant Colonel, Permanent Military Forces,
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