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.
Online Resources
Queensland Birth Death and Marriage Index
NAA: B2455, Bassett Cornelius John, National Archives of Australia
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