A brief synopsis on the life of Gilbert J.C. Dyett KCMG.
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Born: June 23, 1891, at home in High Street, BENDIGO, cnr. Myrtle St. adjacent Londonderry Mine.
Parents: Benjamin Patrick Dyett & Margaret Frances Dyett (Nee: Cullen)
Siblings: Benjamin P. (Dec’d infant), Frederick A., Florence (Riordan), Ethel (Elwood), Margaret (Skidmore), Benjamin P.
Education: St. Joseph's, Quarry Hill. Marist Bros. College, Bendigo.
Service: Enlisted 6 weeks after Australia, declared war on Germany in 1914 and served only 47 days on the battlefield. After being seriously wounded at Lone Pine, he was left for dead. He survived, returned home and became the country’s most successful recruiting officer for the duration of the war.
He became the initial secretary to the idea, design and construction of the world’s biggest (Still!) war memorial, Victoria’s Great Ocean Road. He then voluntarily gave twenty seven years of his life to fighting for the welfare of the returned soldier and their families and the families of those who did not return. He replaced Sir John Monash on the Board of the Australian War Memorial from 1933 until his death.
Not in his position as RSL Fed. Pres. but as a distinguished citizen, with a proven interest in the armed services and Military History. Gilbert Dyett and Charles Bean (noted war historian and journalist), were critical of the original design as “squat and prison like”, thus forcing an increase in the height of the Hall of Memory. He introduced the “Poppy of remembrance” to Australia.
Mufti: His return to “civvy street”, in 1919, saw him elected Federal President of the Returned Sailors’, Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Imperial League of Australia. A strong leader of the Dominion members of the British Empire Services League, he travelled the world, was knighted, became a personal friend of Kings, Prime Ministers, Field Marshalls, Generals and prominent Leaders throughout the world.
Employment: As his role within Returned Organisations was voluntary, he needed a source of income. This was largely derived from his positions as the Secretary of the Victorian Trotting and Racing Association, the Australian Registrar of Thoroughbred Race Horses and overseer of propriety at John Wren’s racetracks. (In this position he once “warned” Squizzy Taylor off the Richmond racetrack.) A teetotaller, he never smoked and was never known to have a bet. He also re-entered the world of commerce as an Estate Agent in the Brighton area and as such, was successful.
Honours: Gilbert was the first Bendigo born person to be knighted, created CMG by King George V in 1927 and in 1934 elevated to Knight Commander in the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George. He Chaired a number of major British Empire Services League conferences and dinners (Royalty always Presiding) Held in places as diverse as London, Cape Town and Perth etc. He is invariably seen in photos’ seated beside the Royal Patron, with the great Winston Churchill some seats away. Variously known as the Architect and Father of the RSL, he was made a Life Member of the RSL. He was an invited guest at the Coronation of his friend George VI and later at that of his daughter Elizabeth II.
Charity: Gilbert Dyett, was a Life Governor of Saint Vincent’s Hospital, also of the Royal Institute for the Blind. He contributed to WWII bonds issues and gave scholarships to a number of Bendigo schools. He gave to many other charities and presented a grand piano to St. Aidans orphanage in Bendigo. ( Now in a music room of Catholic College Bendigo.) Obit: GJC Dyett KCMG passed away Dec. 19, 1964. His funeral left the Sacred Heart Cathedral for the Bendigo Cemetery. A powerful yet humble man he is largely forgotten in his home city with not even a street named after him. He is however the only name twice in bronze on the front of the Memorial hall in Bendigo. His returned mates did not forget him!
Source: Mr Ian Dyett
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