Cornelius John BASSETT

Year of Birth: 1886

Place of Birth: Taradale, Victoria

Date of Enlistment: 14 March 1916

Date and Place of Embarkation: Did not leave Australia

Ship: Not applicable

Rank: Private

Unit(s): 11th Depot Battalion

Regimental Number: Not applicable

Died: 4 June 1917, Brisbane

 

Cornelius John Bassett was born 1886 in Taradale, Victoria, the fifth of eight children of Cornelius Bassett and Mary Ann Coleman.  He married Bridget Mary Frances Cody in 1911 in Queensland and they had two daughters, Mary Florence (1914) and Catherine Erin (1916).  Prior to enlisting he had worked as a miner at Einasleigh and in 1916 he was at Babinda working as a bridge carpenter.  His wife and young family were living in Draper Street, Cairns.

On his enlistment in Cairns on the 14 March 1916 he was 29 years 8 months of age, his occupation was a Foreman and had completed his apprenticeship with Walkers Ltd., Maryborough Qld and his next of kin was his wife Bridget Mary Francis Basset, Draper St., Cairns.  His height was 6 feet ½ inch, he weighed 164 pounds with a dark complexion, brown eyes and dark brown hair.  He was Presbyterian.  The next day he was examined and considered fit for active service.

On the 19 June 1916, the Medical Board discharged him from the Army and he had been admitted to the Diamantina Hospital with tuberculosis “which existed prior to enlistment”.  The Diamantina was a hospital for chronic diseases in Brisbane.  Cornelius John Bassett died in Brisbane on 4 June 1917 and was buried in the Toowong Cemetery, Brisbane.

 

NAA: Medical history of invalid

 

Cairns Post. 7 June 1918, p.4

 

Online Resources

Queensland Birth Death and Marriage Index

NAA: B2455, Bassett Cornelius John, National Archives of Australia

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