William Blackett (SN 5041) was born in Ballarat and attended the Glen Park State School. He was a 27-year-old labourer when he enlisted on February 14th 1916. He sailed to Egypt aboard the Suffolk and in August joined the 8th Battalion in France. From December 1916 to May 1917 illnesses including tonsillitis, bronchitis and mumps resulted in several hospital admissions. On October 26th 1917 at Polygon Wood, Belgium, he suffered a severe shrapnel wound to his back and died of his wounds the following day. He was buried at the Lijssenthoek Cemetery and is remembered on the honour board of the Glen Park State School.