BACKHOUSE, Gerald Ian Dacres
| Service Number: | 400487 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 14 September 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | Operational Training Units (RAF) |
| Born: | Terang, Victoria, Australia, 6 December 1912 |
| Home Town: | Malvern, Stonnington, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Geelong Grammar School, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Insurance clerk |
| Died: | Aircraft accident, Cumberland, England, United Kingdom, 28 December 1941, aged 29 years |
| Cemetery: |
Causewayhead Cemetery, Silloth, Cumbria, England Section S, Grave 6 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Terang War Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 14 Sep 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 400487, Melbourne, Victoria | |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Sep 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 400487 | |
| 28 Dec 1941: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 400487, Operational Training Units (RAF), Empire Air Training Scheme, 1 Operational Training Unit (RAF) |
From Commonwealth War Graves Commissions
30 Jul 22
Australian runner Gerald Ian Dacres Backhouse was the leading Australian middle-distance runner in the mid-1930s, breaking the national record for 880 yds.
He represented Australia at the 1936 Berlin Olympics reaching the 800m final. He later became the first Australian to run 1500m in under 4 minutes. He competed in the 1938 British Empire Games (later renamed the Commonwealth Games) in Sydney winning a silver medal for the mile event.
He led the rankings for the mile until he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force, sailing to England in June 1941. Sadly, his service was short dying in a flying accident during practice bombing on the 28 December 1941, aged 29.
Sergeant Gerald Ian Dacres Backhouse is buried at CWGC Silloth (Causewayhead) Cemetery, Holme Low, Cumberland, United Kingdom.
Submitted 30 July 2022 by Jodie Lording
Newspaper article
Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Friday 2 January 1942, page 3
AIRMAN ATHLETE KILLED
Sgt Gerald Ian Dacres Backhouse RAAF, 28, champion Australian runner, has been reported killed in an aircraft accident in England on December 28
A fine sportsman, Sgt Backhouse was educated at Geelong Grammar School, where he competed in the school athletic team. He later became champion half-mile and mile runner of Victoria and Australia, and was a member of the Australian team which visited Berlin In 1936 for the Olympic Games.
Before enlisting in the RAAF early In 1940, Sgt. Backhouse was on the staff of AMP. He trained at Bradfield Park and Narromine, sailing for Canada in February, 1941, and went to England last October.
He was a member of the vestry and Sunday school teacher at St. Paul's Church, Dandenong Rd.
He was the younger son of the late Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Backhouse, of Terang.
Submitted 28 December 2018 by Elizabeth Allen
Biography contributed by Elizabeth Allen
Gerald Ian Dacres BACKHOUSE was born on 6th December, 1912 in Terang, Victoria
His parents were Edward Littlejohn BACKHOUSE & Cecilia THOMSON
Click on Personal Stories in the template above to read about his sporting prowess.
Biography contributed by julia keith
Gerald was the youngest of five children born to parents Edward Littlejohn Backhouse and Cecilia Thomson. Sadly his mother died when he was 3 years old and was later raised by his step-grandmother. His oldest brother Ern was 11 years his senior and was his next of kin. He had 3 sisters Mary, Cecily and Ruth. While undergoing his RAAF training in Australia and overseas he was a regular letter writer to family and friends. His last letter dated 27 December 1941 from the UK was received by his brother after his death. He sadly died the following day 28 December in a flying training accident. All four on board died.
Click images to start slideshow.