80391
BACKMAN, Edward John
| Service Number: | 7209 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 31 January 1917, at Adelaide |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 10th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Bowden, South Australia, April 1892 |
| Home Town: | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 15 February 1935, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
West Terrace Cemetery (AIF Section) Section: LO, Road: 5S, Site No: 21 |
| Memorials: | Adelaide South Australian Railways WW1 & WW2 Honour Boards |
World War 1 Service
| 31 Jan 1917: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 7209, 10th Infantry Battalion, at Adelaide | |
|---|---|---|
| 23 Jun 1917: | Involvement Private, 7209, 10th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Borda embarkation_ship_number: A30 public_note: '' | |
| 23 Jun 1917: | Embarked Private, 7209, 10th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Borda, Adelaide |
Help us honour Edward John Backman's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by St Ignatius' College
Edward John Backman was born in April 1892, in Bowden, South Australia. During his childhood, he grew up in his family home, 197 Franklin Street, with his father and without his mother. He was also raised as a Methodist. Presumably, when he finished his schooling, he went on to become a labourer. He continued in this occupation until his enlistment in the army at age 25. It can be assumed that his motivation to join the army was due to his father passing two years before while in service, in 1915. On January 31st, 1917, he filled out the enlistment forms and was successfully recruited as a private into the 10th Australian infantry battalion. He was single at the time, as his next of kin was his father. He had no previous training, apart from the compulsory training scheme.
After enlisting and completing his training in Australia, He embarked on the HMAT A30 Borda, on the 23rd of June, 1917. This ship went to Plymouth, and Edward trained in England for the remainder of 1917. He was taken on strength of the 10th Battalion on 23rd January 1918. Edward managed to go through the remainder of the war unwounded, although did suffer from trench fever in August 1918. On 25th January 1919 he embarked for Australia on the SS Ceramic. He was discharged on the 6th of April, due to a “Cessation of Hostilities”. In this, he did a total of 2 years, 66 days of service, and spent 1 year and 265 days abroad. With his large amount of time in service, he received three medals. The first medal was the Star, which was given automatically to all soldiers at the beginning of the war. The Victory medal was given to him as well as all other alive soldiers by the end of the war. The last medal was the British War Medal, which was given to him after a specific amount of service.
He passed away on the 15th of February, 1935, at the age of 43. His cause of death is unknown, but he is buried at the AIF cemetery. A will was placed within his files, which stated that it was to be lodged with a woman called Alice Cairns, whose identity is still unknown. Edward John Backman successfully participated and survived World War 1.
Biography contributed by Claire Noble
Edward John Backman - known as Jack. 10th Battalion AIF
His parents were Kaspar (Charles) & Mary Anne (Annie) Backman (formerly Bachmann). Alice Cairns I believe to be Alice Kearns who was Jack's sister. Jack's brother Sgt. Charles (Rappie) James Backman died during the Gallipoli landings on April 25 1915. His body was never recovered. Their mother was present during their childhood and was distraught when Rappie went missing.
His parents weren't informed of Rappie's death until October 1916. Jack enlisted after his brother's death and thankfully returned home safely.
Jack was 44 when he died in 1935. He lived in Murray Bridge. He was survived by his wife and daughter and his mother. Also by 4 sisters & 3 brothers.
Click images to start slideshow.