Arthur Edward Blacknell
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Arthur was born in 1893 the son of Albert a coal miner and Annie Blacknell (née Holland). Married in 1882, they had seven children, five surviving infancy - Fred b.1883, Edith A b.1885, Arthur E b.1893, Ernest b.1903 and Alice Jennie b.1904. All the children were born in Arnold except Fred who was born in Nottingham. In 1911, they lived at 9, Cross Street, Arnold, Nottingham. Albert was a colliery banksman. Arthur married Olive Lander (born September 1891) in 1911 and they lived at 38 Chapel Street, Beeston, they had two children - Arthur born March 1912 and Olive Isobel born January 1918. Following his death his widow Olive was awarded a pension of 27 shillings and 7 pence a week which commenced on 10th June 1918. Olive re-married and moved to live in Birsay, Sackatchewan, Canada.
Arthur enlisted in Nottingham on 1st September 1914 and first entered a theatre of war in France on 13th July 1915. He was awarded the Military Medal for his gallant actions during the battle of the Menin Road Ridge, near Ypres between the 20th and 24th September 1917. His award was published in the London Gazette dated 17th December 1917. Arthur was with 11th battalion in the battle of Polygon Wood, in the Ypres Salient, which took place between the 28th September and 2nd October 1917. Sanctuary Wood Cemetery, Grave Reference: II L 27
Hucknall Dispatch 6th December 1917: Arthur Blacknell, a married man living in Beeston with his wife and two children, enlisted on 1st September 1914. Crossing the Channel on 13th July 1915, he was wounded the following month and again during the Battle of the Somme in July 1916. Recovering from a serious shoulder wound, Blacknell returned to France at Christmas 1916. During the Third Battle of Ypres, Blacknell’s conduct on 20th September 1917, during the capture of the remains of Herenthage Château, was recognised by the award of the Military Medal In the words of his battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel E.F. Fachner, “During the attack this N.C.O. led his section with great gallantry and dash, accounting for several fortified shell holes before reaching his objective. Finding that the only favourable position for consolidation was close to our own barrage and receiving short bursts, he had no hesitation in taking up a position there. His judgement and decision at the moment when he was the only N.C.O. left in the platoon was of the utmost value.” Shortly afterwards, Blacknell was reported missing. The battalion adjutant informed his wife at the same time as confirming his award of the Military Medal. “I have much pleasure in forwarding to you the ribbon for the Military Medal awarded to your husband (Lce-Corp. A.E. Blacknell), also the statement of the act for which it was awarded. It is with deep regret that I have to state he was reported “missing” on September 29th, 1917. The commanding officer desires me to convey to you his sympathy in your anxiety whilst waiting for further news of your husband. I regret can hold out no hopes of any further news. I am afraid we must accept his death in action as certain.” His body was eventually identified and Blacknell lies in Sanctuary Wood Cemetery. Articles courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.
