Eirik Douglas Orvar (Douglas) BLOM

BLOM, Eirik Douglas Orvar

Service Number: VX1161
Enlisted: 11 December 1939
Last Rank: Corporal
Last Unit: 2nd/9th Cavalry Commando Squadron
Born: Helsinki, Finland, 26 September 1919
Home Town: Malvern East, Stonnington, Victoria
Schooling: Scotch College, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Occupation: Bank Clerk - Union Bank
Died: Died of wounds, New Guinea, 17 June 1945, aged 25 years
Cemetery: Lae War Cemetery
Grave Ref. QQ C 11, Lae War Cemetery, Lae, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea
Memorials: Australian Commando Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Melbourne Union Bank of Australia Limited 'In Memoriam' WW2 Honour Roll, Yorketown Kadina Union Bank WW2 Roll of Honor
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World War 2 Service

11 Dec 1939: Enlisted East St Kilda, Victoria
11 Dec 1939: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Corporal, VX1161
17 Jun 1945: Involvement Corporal, VX1161, 2nd/9th Cavalry Commando Squadron

Help us honour Eirik Douglas Orvar Blom's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography contributed by John Leslie

Eirik Douglas Orvar BLOM was born on 26th September, 1919 in Helsinki, Finland

His parents were (Captain) Orvar William BLOM (born in Helsingfors/Helsinki, Finland) and Ida SEWELL

Ida was born in Victoria and after her marriage in the Holy Advent Church, Malvern, Victoria they sailed the world's trading routes on Orvar's sailing ships.  They were in Finland when Eirik was born - his elder sister Margaret Sewell Blom (later LESLIE) was born in Liverpool UK on 6 November 1914.

Orvar died in Glasgow, Scotland on 30 January 1925, after which Ida and the chiildren returned to Melbourne.  Ida died in 1970 in Parkville, Victoria, Australia

Eirik first joined up on 4th October 1938 as a Senior Cadet with the 5th Bn VSK from 31st August 1936 & was discharged 8th January, 1940 - Service No. 299802

He enlisted on 11th December 1939 with the 2/9 Australian Commando Squadron -Service No. VX1161 Rank: Lance Corporal

He died on 17th June, 1945 when setting booby traps - a live grenade exploded in his hand as he attempted to throw it away from his colleagues.

 

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Biography contributed by Robert Kearney

Eirik Douglas Orvar BLOM was born on 26th September, 1919 in Helsinki, Finland

His parents were (Captain) Orvar William BLOM and Ida SEWELL

Ida was born in Victoria and after her marriage in the Holy Advent Church, Malbern, Victoria they went to Finland where Eirik was born - a daughter Margaret Sewell Blom (later LESLIE) was born in Liverpool UK born in London on 6 November 1914 - their father Orvar was born in Helsingfors, Finland

Orvar died in Glasgow, Scotland on 31st January , 1935 and Ida died in 1970 in Parkville, Victoria, Australia

Eirik first joined up on 4th October 1938 as a Senior Cadet with the 5th Bn VSK from 31st August 1936 & was discharged 8th January, 1940 - Service No. 299802

He enlisted on 11th December 1939 with the 2/9 Australian Commando Squadron -Service No. VX1161 Rank: Lance Corporal

He died on 17th June, 1945 when setting booby traps & a grenade exploded in his hand

 

Read more...