Regimental number | 1511 |
Place of birth | Kurri Kurri New South Wales |
Religion | Presbyterian |
Occupation | Labourer |
Address | Deacon Street, Kurri Kurri, New South Wales |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 20 |
Next of kin | Father, T Blackwell, Deacon Street, Kurri Kurri, New South Wales |
Enlistment date | |
Rank on enlistment | Private |
Unit name | 35th Battalion, Machine Gun Section |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/52/1 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A24 Benalla on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 35th Battalion |
Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Bar to Military Medal Recommendation date: Military Medal For operations July 1917. Recommendation date: |
Fate | Returned to Australia |
Medals |
Military Medal 'For gallant and devoted service during attack on enemy position before PASSCHENDAELE on October 12th, 1917. Private BLACKWELL was a No. 1 on Lewis gun. During the advance he showed great initiative and was regardless of personal danger. His platoon was, during the advance, held up by a machine gun. On his own initiative he worked to a flank, and by firing on the enemy position with his Lewis gun not only enabled his platoon to advance, but also captured the gun and crew of 4 men. At a later period during the advance the platoon was again held up by another machine gun. Private BLACKWELL volunteered to try to put the gun out of action. Leaving his Lewis gun with his No. 2 he seized a rifle from a wounded comrade and worked his way from shell hole to shell hole until he was close enough to rush the gun. He killed one German and captured the remaining 2 together with the machine gun, being wounded himself at this time. His courage and coolness greatly inspired the men of his platoon.'
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Other details |
War service: Western Front Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
Date of death | |
Place of burial | Kurri Kurri Cemetery |