| Basil John Blackett | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 June 1886 Potter Bar, Hertfordshire, England |
| Died | Unknown |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom Australia |
| Service/branch | Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry[1] Ceylon Planters Rifle Corps[1] Ceylon Mounted Rifles[1] Australian Flying Corps[1] Royal Air Force[1] |
| Years of service | 1900[1] |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | No. 3 Squadron AFC, No. 102 Squadron RAF, No. 25 Squadron RAF, No. 18 Squadron RAF |
| Awards | Belgian Croix de Guerre |
Lieutenant Basil John Blackett was a World War I flying ace credited as an observer and rear gunner with five aerial victories while being piloted by fellow aces Albert Gregory Waller and Conrad Lally.[2]
After service with the British Army Blackett joined the Australian defence forces. After service as a soldier he was trained as an observer and air gunner and was commissioned. After spending most of his time seconded to British Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force units. Due to the lack of opportunity to use his aircrew skills in an Australian unit he resigned his Australian commission in October 1918 on joining the Royal Air Force.[1]