At the 1938 Empire Games he won the silver medal in the 1 mile contest.

During World War II Gerald Backhouse was a sergeant in the Royal Australian Air Force, serving on attachment with the Royal Air Force.

He died in a practice bombing flight in England on 28 December 1941.

He was buried at Sulloth (Causeway Head) Cemetery, Holme Low, Cumberland, England.

This biographical article relating to Australian athletics is a stub.