THACKER, William Ethelbert (1884-1955)William Ethelbert Thacker was born on 14 August 1884, the son of Birkwood Cope Thacker and Mary Ann nee Daniel.
William became a day student at Geelong College on 25 April 1898 with an address at entry of the State Savings Bank, Geelong.
During World War I, he enlisted (No. 1648) on 16 January 1917, and embarked on 10 May 1917 with the March 1917 Reinforcements for training in England on
HMAT A74 Marathon. He became a 2nd Air Mechanic with the Australian Flying Corps (AFC). He returned to Australia on
HMT Port Sydney, embarking on 4 March 1919.
His obituary in
Pegasus described him:
'William Ethelbert Thacker who was a pupil at the College in the opening years of the century, died on April 14 after a long illness. A well-known and highly respected citizen of Geelong, he was associated throughout his life with the printing business and was for many years the printer of this journal. He gave a great deal of his time to church work and was a special magistrate of the Children's Court and a member of the committee of the Alexander Miller Homes.' His brother, Birkwood Daniel Thacker, (not an OGC) served as a Private with the APC, enlisting on 9 October 1916, and returning to Australia on 6 May 1919.
His brother, Henry Stephen Thacker (1890-1949), and son,
Birkwood William Thacker (1936-2014), were also educated at Geelong College.
Sources: Pegasus June 1955 p48; ‘Geelong Collegians at the Great War’ compiled by James Affleck. p 327 (citing The Pegasus; National Archives).