No.60175, Private, Lawrence Arthur BLACKWELL
Aged 30
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Lawrence Arthur Blackwell was born in Burwell (Newmarket Q4-1889 3B:518), the son of Stephen Manassah and Sarah Ann BLACKWELL (née HARDING).
1891 census...Aged 1, he was at Toyse Lane, Burwell with his father Stephen M BLACKWELL [34] daily carrier; his mother Sarah A [32] born reach; sisters Hannah [11], Hilda M.N. [7] and Ellen [3]; brothers George N [9], Stephen H [8] Louis [5] and Garnet J [2]. All except his mother were born in Burwell. 1901 census...Aged 11, he was at Toyse Lane, Burwell with his parents (mother now recorded as born in Burwell); brothers George (clerk), Stephen (gardener) Louis (grocer's assistant) and Garnet; sisters Mabel [9] and Olive [5] both born in Burwell. 1911 census...Aged 21, a brick setter in factory, he was at Toyse Lane, Burwell with his parents (mother now returned to reach as birthplace), brother Garnet John (carrier and market gardener) and sister Olive. His mother was still there on the pension card. By the time of his enlistment he had become a mental nurse and was residing at the Asylum, Brunswick House, Mistley, Essex. There is a discrepancy of the year between his death registration (1919) and probate for his will (1920). |
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He enlisted in Colchester whilst living at Brunswick House, Mistley,
Enlisting on 15th June 1915 in the Royal Army Medical Corps, he gave his age as 25 years, next of kin, mother Sarah. Posted to the Middle East Expeditionary Force on 12th November 1915, he was then posted to East Africa on 15th March 1916. Seemingly illness resulted in him being returned to U.K. on 14th October 1917. After medical examination he was discharged as no longer being physically fit for military service on 27th November 1917. This was due to pulmonary tuberculosis, not the result of, but aggravated by, military service. On discharge he was 5 feet 7.5 inches (171.5 cm)tall, chest 38.5" to 42.5" (97.8 to 108 cm). He received a pension. Awarded silver war badge No.273.190. He died at home (Newmarket Q4-1919 3B:541)
He was accepted on the National Book of Remembrance on 6th June 2015, after a submission by Tony Pringle to the "In from the Cold" project which assists in getting these casualties officially recognised. click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
