Charles Blackburn
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Charles was the son of John Thomas and Catherine Blackburn (née White). His father John Thomas was born in Caythorpe, Lincolnshire, in 1862, the son of Thomas Blackbourn (sic) and his wife Sarah (née Kitchen). In 1881 John was living with his parents in Caythorpe; his occupation was given as 'late ironstone miner'. His mother Catherine White was born in Mansfield Woodhouse in about 1867. In 1881 at the age of 14 she was a general domestic servant in Sutton in Ashfield in the household of Edward Sampson, a grocer, and his family. John Thomas and Catherine were married at Sutton in Ashfield St Mary Magdalene on 28 September 1885 (Blackburn-White) and they had seven children who were all baptised at St Mary Magdalene: Frederick William b. 1885; Florence Mabel b. 1887; Sarah Elizabeth b. 1890; Mary Alice b. 1892; Charles b. 1895; Ernest b. 1897 and Wilfred b. 1900. In 1886 when Frederick was baptised his parents were living on Carsick Lane, Sutton in Ashfield, but had moved to Duke Street by the time Florence was baptised in 1888. However, by 1891 John (29), a miner, and Catherine (25) were living on Reform Street, Sutton in Ashfield, with their three children Frederick (5), Mabel (3) and Sarah (1) and continued to live on Reform Street until at least 1897. The family was living on Kirkby Lane in 1900 when Wilfred was baptised and recorded at 65 Kirkby Lane on the census the following year. John was employed as a colliery banksman (above ground). All seven children were in the home on the night of the census: Frederick a colliery banksman (above ground), Florence, Sarah, Mary (8), Charles (6), Ernest (4) and Wilfred (1). Their mother Catherine died later that year (1901 O/N/D Mansfield) aged about 33. The widowed John, now working as a farm labourer, was living on Sherwood Road, Sutton in Ashfield, in 1911. Six of his children were still at home: Florence a hosiery mender, Sarah a silk winder (hosiery manufacturer), Mary engaged on household duties, Charles and Ernest who were both colliery pony drivers (below ground) and Wilfred who was at school. The eldest son Frederick had married Minnie Shelton in 1905 and they were living on Silk Street, Sutton in Ashfield, with their daughter Catherine Hilda. Their father John Thomas died in 1915 (J/A/S Mansfield). Charles' sister Florence Mabel married Harold Hunt in 1912. Harold served in the 5th Bn King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (4331 Private) and died of wounds on 16 September 1916. Mary Alice was still living on Sherwood Road, Sutton in Ashfield, with her brother Charles when he enlisted in 1916. She was nominated by Charles as his next of kin. Ernest served in the Royal Navy (J88467 Ordinary Seaman) from 7 May 1918 until demobilised on 13 August 1919.
25th Bn Durham Light Infantry Charles attested at Derby on 18 May 1916; he was 21 years 143 days old and a coal miner. He was blind in his right eye after being struck in the eye by a piece of coal while at work. He named his sister, Mary Alice Blackburn, of the same address as his next of kin. Charles was posted to the 5th Bn Durham Light Infantry but was discharged to the Army Reserve (W) in July 1916 and returned to work as a miner. There are two medical reports in his Army Service Record; one dated 31 August 1917 (Carrington, Nottingham), which includes a report of the accident in which he lost the sight of an eye, and a more detailed 'Medical Report on Invalid' dated 18 March 1918 (Clipstone Camp, Nottinghamshire): 'Discharge 31 July (-) [1916]. Origin of disability – Pocklington Yorks, May 1916. He states that (-) cough began soon after joining Army He was discharged to Army Reserve W. (-) work in pit after about 2 months service. Working in pit till 7 months ago but was often off work with cough. He has been losing weight & cough has been getting worse. He has night sweats. Family history negative.’ Condition - ‘aggravated during military service’. Condition - ‘constitutional’. The medical assessment was followed by other details: ‘Best weight 11 stone 6 [lbs] now 8 stone. Case too far advanced for Sanatorium treatment to be of benefit.’ Other disabilities - ‘Blind right eye not caused by military service.’ (noted that the accident was prior to enlistment) Charles died at home on 18 April 1918 and was buried in Sutton in Ashfield Cemetery, Nottinghamshire (grave ref. C. I. 1183).
Charles' brother-in-law, Harold Hunt, the husband of his sister Florence Mabel, served with the 5th Bn King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (4331 Private) and died of wounds on 16 September 1916. (See record on this Roll of Honour) WW1 Pension Ledgers Index Cards: next of kin sister, Mary Alice Blackburn, residence Sutton in Ashfield Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his siblings were his legatees, Frederick William, Ernest and Wilfred and Florence M Hunt, Mary A. [Blackburn] and Sarah E Bacon. Original research by Peter Gillings
