Historical information

A copy of the text an address by Legatee R T Eldridge at a Legacy event on 24 January 1984 to honour Sir Thomas Blamey who had been a patron of Legacy.
The speech summarises his life, including his war service in both world wars and inter war years as Chief Commissioner of Police, Victoria. In World War 2 the speech outlines he was in the middle east before returning to Australia and had some difficulties with US General McArthur and also the Press.
The penultimate paragraph says "Nobody but Blamey could have been appointed Commander in Chief, held McArthur at bay and influenced the Australian Government through Curtin. On this 'national level he showed wisdom, fortitude, loyalty and a degree of tact. He was indifferent to public opinion, was abrupt, intolerant of little men, had poor opinion of the politicians and the press which created difficulties and detractors."
The article was part of an album of past presidents from 1965 to 1989. The folder included biographical details and obituaries, eulogies and death notices of prominent Legatees. The items have been catalogued separately.

Significance

A record of a speech made by Legatee Eldridge about Legacy Patron, Sir Thomas Blamey. The information was collected to record the lives of prominent legatees in a folder.

Physical description

Photocopy of 3 pages of an address by Legatee R T Eldridge in 1984.