People Australia

Raymond John Bloodworth, n.d. photographer unknwon

from Bank of NSW Roll of Honour

Raymond John Bloodworth was born on 12th October, 1896, at Coonamble, New South Wales, the son of Mr. John Andrew Bloodworth and Mrs. Ellen Bloodworth. A private tutor gave him his first lessons on a station near Coonamble, and later on he went to the Public School in the township.

He joined the Bank’s staff on 2nd December, 1913, at Dubbo, and was sent to Portland on 16th February, 1914. On 20th February, 1915, he enlisted and was allotted to A Squadron, 6th Regiment, 2nd Light Horse Brigade.

He went with his regiment to Gallipoli and served there until the evacuation. Then he was transferred to Palestine, and fought there as a trooper for nearly two years. He and some companions had successfully accomplished a bombing raid against the Turks at the River Adjua, north of Jaffa, on the night of the 29th November, 1917, when one of the party was hit by Turkish shrapnel and fell from his horse. Raymond Bloodworth turned back to render him assistance and was shot through the head by a machine-gun bullet, dying instantly. His death was in keeping with his whole career.