Blamey, Sir Thomas (1884-1951), an Australian soldier, gained distinction when he was appointed commander of the Allied land forces in the southwestern Pacific during World War II (1939-1945). He held the position from 1942 to 1945. Blamey was born in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia, on Jan. 24, 1884. During World War I (1914-1918), he became chief of staff. During World War II, he commanded Australian troops in the Mediterranean and northern Africa from 1939 to 1942. He directed the withdrawal of troops from Greece in 1941. From September 1942 to January 1943, he commanded Allied forces in the fighting in New Guinea. Blamey retired in 1945 and was knighted in 1935. He died on May 27, 1951.
