2nd Lieutenant, Thomas BLACKWELL
Aged 32
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Thomas Blackwell was born in Burwell on 8th March 1885 (Newmarket Q2-1885 3B:539, son of Albert John and Susan Letitia BLACKWELL (née COOKE ).
1891 census...Aged 6, he was at North Street, Burwell with his father Albert BLACKWELL [51] farmer; his mother Letitia [46] born Newmarket; brothers Frank [18], Walter [11] (both working on father's farm) and Herbert [9] and sister Annie [12]. All except his mother were born in Burwell. He had two older brothers, Harry (1867-) and Frederick(1869-). 1901 census...Aged 16, a chemical manufactor's clerk, he was at North Street, Burwell with his parents (father now farmer/coal merchant and mother now recorded as born in Burwell), and brother Walter (coal wharfman) and sister Annie. 1911 census...Aged 26, a clerk, he was at North Street, Burwell with his parents and brother Frank (working on father's farm). His mother died on 21st February 1918. At the time of his death, his father was living at Brook Farm, Burwell. |
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Thomas enlisted at Bury St Edmunds on 1st July 1915 in the 12th battalion, Suffolk Regiment, giving his age as 30 years 3 months, occupation - clerk. He was
5 feet 1 inch (154.9 cm) tall, chest 33.5" to 36" (85.1 to 91.4 cm), weight 100 lbs (45.5 kg), Congregational, next of kin, father, Albert John Blackwell.
The 12th was designated a Bantam Battalion. These were battalions specifically to recruit men who failed to meet the normal minimum height requirements. Temp. posted to Depot on 2nd July 1915, he was promoted Acting Corporal on 31st August 1915 and to Lance Sergeant on 1st November and to full Sergeant on 21st January 1916. Posted to BEF in France on 5th June 1916, he was returned to UK on 19th April 1917 for commissioning and on 5th July 1917 joined No 8 Officer cadet Battalion, Whittington Barracks, Lichfield. He was commissioned in the Suffolk Regiment on 30th October 1917.The date he returned to front line duties with the BEF has not been found. His effects, sent to his father, consisted of 1 silver cigarette case and a wristwatch with the glass missing. A summary of Lt Col Murphy's "History of the Suffolk Regiment" informs us that: The morning of the 26th March 1918 the battalion found itself engaged in the defence of the Albert bridge-heads and those of the 7th who had served in the 8th in the Spring of 1916 found themselves taking up defensive positions that they themselves had constructed two years earlier..a desperate battle was in progress and the battalion had little in the way of artillery support, bombs, rifle grenades or trench mortars. Even shovels were scarce. Their front was from the Albert railway station on the left to about 300 yards south of the Albert-Amiens road. By about 4.30 pm the Germans were seen approaching and attacks along the railway line were repulsed. About 10.30 pm the Germans again attacked in strength, this time taking the bridgehead and installing a machine gun in a house just west of the bridge. "C" company counter attacked and retook much of the line, except the actual bridgehead. Before midnight a further attempt was made, but due to lack of bombs and grenades this failed. The line was withdrawn about 300 yards and stabilised, despite heavy casualties and exhaustion. One platoon was reduced to three men.....they were relieved shortly before dawn on the 28th. The battalion then went back for rest at Henencourt having sustained over the three days 4 officers killed, 8 wounded and 244 OR either killed, wounded or missing. On the 26th 2/Lt Blackwell was with 3 platoon, at the railway cutting covering all dead ground and the Albert-Millencourt Road, then at 6 pm he took command of 4 platoon. At 8:30 am on 27th the troops on the left flank appeared to be wavering and 2nd Lt Blackwell was killed while rallying them. Unusually for a war diary, all the casualties, killed and wounded, are named in each Company, hence we know Thomas was in "A" Coy. CWGC has 78 of the battalion dying, only 12 with identified graves.
circled is the general area where Thomas' troops were deployed photo: Roy Beardsworth click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
