Joseph Henry Blight (1881 - 1950)

Born 1881 in Clunes, Victoria, Australia

Husband of Ethel May (Cocks) Blight — married 25 Feb 1922 in Salvation Army Officers Quarters, Kadina, South Australia, Australia

Died 21 Aug 1950 at about age 69 in Wallaroo Mines, South Australia, Australia

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Biography

Joseph was born in 1881. He passed away in 1950.^[1]

World War 1 Service 26 Mar 1916: Enlisted 11 Apr 1916: Involvement Private, 1643, 50th Infantry Battalion 11 Apr 1916: Embarked Private, 1643, 50th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Aeneas, Adelaide^[2][3]

Joseph Henry BLIGHT
Regimental number 1643
Date of birth 1881
Place of birth Clunes, Victoria
School Clunes State School, Victoria
Religion Salvation Army
Occupation Miner
Address Wallaroo Mines, South Australia
Marital status Single
Age at embarkation 34
Next of kin Sister, Miss Anita Adelaide Blight, Wallaroo Mines, South Australia
Enlistment date 9 March 1916
Rank on enlistment Private
Unit name 50th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number 23/67/3
Embarkation details Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A60 Aeneas on 11 April 1916
Rank from Nominal Roll Private
Unit from Nominal Roll 50th Battalion
Fate Returned to Australia 16 March 1919
Discharge date 1 September 1919
Other details War service: Western Front

War service: 3 years 187 days (3 years 33 days of which were spent abroad)

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death 21 August 1950 , 152 Piper Street, Wallaroo Mines
Age at death 69.3
Place of burial Kadina Cemetery, South Australia^[4]

BLIGHT.— On August 21, at Wallaroo Mines, Joseph Henry, dearly beloved husband of Ethel May Blight, and loving father of Gwen, Ron, Audrey, Lawrence, and Kev; late 50th Battalion, 1st A.I.F. Aged 69 years. ^[5]

Obituary:

Vale Joe Blight. Another of the identities connected with the district has passed on, in Joe Blight, who was known far and wide among readers, and for many years resided at the cottages. In his earlier years, he was a miner and it was there that we got to know him as a cobber and a workmate. In the latter years we saw something of his handicap in life; by the way he was afflicted in having such a bad foot, and had to use the stick to get about. I had much to do with Joe for many years when he used to attend the Army in those days and was actively engaged in some work of the Kadina Corps. If my memory is not playing tricks on me I can now see Joe, when he used to carry the flag on some of those big marches by the band and soldiers. He was not, as one would say, in the forefront of events, but he was an acceptable citizen, ready, when able to do the things that came his way for others, although he suffered so much himself. He showed the true type of Christian fortitude and again I say another of my old friends has "gone over the Great Divide." I sympathise with those who mourn on such an occasion.^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ "Find a Grave," database with images, (Find A Grave: Memorial #189545691 : accessed 3 December 2023), Memorial page for Joseph Henry Blight (1881-21 Aug 1950), citing Kadina Cemetery, Kadina, District Council of Copper Coast, South Australia, Australia (plot: Path 6 Block 71); Maintained by Shaz in Adelaide (contributor 49579799).
2. ↑ [1]Virtual War Memorial Australia
3. ↑ [2]National Archives of Australia
4. ↑ [3]The AIF Project
5. ↑ [4]Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), Wednesday 23 August 1950, page 20
6. ↑ [5]Kadina and Wallaroo Times (SA : 1888 - 1954), Friday 1 September 1950, page 1

• Births Victoria Registration Number: 8185

• Marriages SA District:Daly Book:290/623 Year:1922

• Deaths SA District:Daly Book:757/4245 Year:1950