| Regimental number | 431 |
| Place of birth | Port Adelaide, South Australia |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Address | 107 North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Marital status | Married |
| Age at embarkation | 27 |
| Height | 5' 6.25" |
| Weight | 139 lbs |
| Next of kin | Wife, Mrs O J Backman, 107 North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Previous military service | Served for 2.6 years in SA Infantry Regiment, Moonta, South Australia. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Place of enlistment | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 32nd Battalion, B Company |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/49/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A2 Geelong on |
| The 32nd Bn (Headquarters, Signallers, A, B, C, and D Companies) embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on two ships, HMAT A2 'Geelong', on 18 November 1915, and HMAT A13 'Katuna', on 24 November 1915. The Embarkation Roll does not distinguish between these ships, and it is therefore not possible from the Embarkation Roll to ascertain on which ship an individual embarked. | |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Driver |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 1st Machine Gun Battalion |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Embarked, 18 November 1915; disembarked Suez, 18 December 1915. Taken on strength, 10th Bn, 14 March 1916. Proceeded from Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 27 March 1916; disembarked Marseilles, 3 April 1916. Taken on strength, 8th Machine Gun Company, 14 November 1916; transferred to 3rd Machine Company, 18 November 1916. Marched in to Machine Gun Training Depot, England, 3 January 1917; taken on strength, 21st Machine Gun Company, 15 January 1917. Proceeded overseas to France, 17 March 1917; appointed Driver, 1 June 1917; appointed Lance Corporal, 14 October 1917. On leave to England, 11 February 1918; rejoined unit, 27 February 1918. Admitted to 3rd Australian Field Ambulance, 19 May 1918 (pyrexia, unknown origin); transferred to 18th Casualty Clearing Station, 20 May 1918; to 13th (USA) General Hospital, 22 May 1918; to England, 29 May 1918, and admitted to Tankerton Hospital, Shorncliffe; to 3rd Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 10 July 1918; discharged on fourlough, 22 July 1918, to report to No. 4 Command Depot, Hurdcott, 5 August 1918. Commenced return to Australia on board SS 'Leicestershire', 9 December 1918 (invalided: debility); disembarked Melbourne, 22 January 1919; discharged (medically unfit), 20 April 1919. Total war service: 3 years 290 days (of which 3 years 66 days were abroad) Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Date of death | |
| Age at death | 54 |
| Place of burial | AIF Cemetery, West Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, BACKMAN Oscar |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
