Blackwell, W G
WILLIAM GORDON (DON) BLACKWELL
Remembered with honour Thiepval Memorial: Pier and Face 8C, 9A and 16A.
He attested 5 August 1914 at Armoury House, Finsbury, London E.C. in the Territorial Force 4 years service in the U.K., Private 953 1st Battalion, Honourable Artillery Company: a stock jobber aged 29 of Harrow Weald, Middx, married, 6′ tall; his next-of-kin his brother Francis of London. He served at Home 5 August 1914 to 17 September 1914 and with the B.E.F. in France from 18 September 1914, when he embarked from Southampton. He was promoted Acting Corporal 1 January 1915, and was commissioned as Temporary Second Lieutenant into the 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers 27 January 1915. He was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914 Star medals, his qualifying date being 18 September 1914, and was killed in action on the Somme 6* October 1916.
There is an article about William in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 21 October 1916.
Son of Samuel John and Elizabeth Chrisp (nee HOWARD) BLACKWELL of Chipperfield; husband of Nina Mary Eveline (nee O’MALLEY) BLACKWELL.
His parents married 22 July 1865 at St Pancras Parish Church. Samuel died 26 January 1923 in Chipperfield aged 81, and was buried 30 January at St Paul’s, Chipperfield; Elizabeth died 29 January 1932 in Chipperfield aged 86, and was buried 1 February, also at St Pual’s.
William was born 29 May 1884 or 1885 in Harrow Weald, and baptised 14 September 1885 at All Saints, Harrow, Middx. He married 6 April 1910 in Westport, Co Mayo, Ireland; they had one child. Nina never remarried, and died 20 May 1962 aged 80, she lived at 7 Queen’s Terrace, King’s Road, Windsor, Berks.
He has an entry in the National Probate Calendar.
On the 1891 Census, aged 5 he lived in Harrow, with his parents and seven siblings. On the 1901 Census, a pupil aged 15 he lived in St Brievels, Glos. On the 1911 Census, a stock jobber aged 25 he lived in Harrow Weald, with his wife and no children.
Rank
LieutenantUnit
8th BattalionRegiment
Date of death
05*/10/1916Age at death
30Place of death
Memorial(s)
Notes
His brother Charles died 20 July 1915 and also features on this Roll of Honour- 1st S.W. Herts Scout Troop [in St Mary's Parish Church Watford] (4)
- Abbot's Langley Herts War Memorial (17)
- Aldbury Herts War Memorial (1)
- Aldenham Herts War Memorial (located in Letchmore Heath Herts) (8)
- All Saints Church Croxley Green Herts (12)
- All Saints Church Harrow Weald Middx (2)
- All Saints Church Hertford (1)
- All Saints Church King's Langley Herts (1)
- All Saints Church Leavesden Herts (31)
- All Saints Church Witham Essex (3)