Henry William Blackwell
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Henry William was the son of Thomas (Tom) Wallace and Annie Blackwell (née Denman). His father Thomas Wallace was born in Nottingham in about 1863 and his mother Annie was also born in Nottingham in 1863. They were married at Nottingham St Matthew on 5 October 1882 and had nine children, six of whom survived infancy. All the children were born in Nottingham: Henry William birth registered 1883 (J/F/M), Robert Senior b. 1884, Maria birth registered 1887 (J/F/M), Tom Wallace (Wallace) b. 1891, Gerty Elizabeth b. 1899 and Harold birth registered 1906 (J/F/M). The three children who died in infancy were: Cecilia b. 1889 d. 1889 (reg. Celia) and twins Arthur and Ernest b. 1892 d. 1892. In 1891 Thomas, a stationer, and Annie were living at 3 Preston Street, Nottingham, with their sons Henry (8), Robert (6) and Tom (1 month). Their daughter Maria was with her uncle and aunt, Henry and Elizabeth Bailey, at their home in Nottingham. The family was still living at the same address in 1901. Thomas was now working as a paper ruler as was his son Robert, Henry was a hosiery trimmer, Maria a shirt/blouse machinist and Tom was at school. Their youngest child, Gerty, was two years old. Harold was born five years later. Thomas and Annie had moved to 235 Castle Boulevard by 1911 and this remained their home until their deaths. Of their six children, five were still living at home: Henry a window cleaner, Wallace a machine ruler, Maria a blouse machinist, and Gerty and Harold (5) who were school age. The second son, Robert, had married Ada Whiteman in 1906. At the time the 1939 England and Wales Register was compiled, Tom and Annie were living at 235 Castle Boulevard with their unmarried daughter Gerty. Annie died the following year on 15 December 1940 and Tom on 15 February 1941. Henry's brother Tom served in the Lincolnshire Regiment and died of wounds on 29 August 1918. He left a widow and two children.
16th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) formerly 18th Bn. Henry attested on 7 December 1915 and transferred to the Army Reserve the following day. He was mobilized on 21 March 1916 and posted on 25 March 1916. While serving in the UK he was admitted to the camp hospital from 11 May 1916-15 May 1916, suffering from synovitis [inflamed joint]. Henry was drafted to the BEF France, embarking Folkestone on 9 July 1916. He was admitted to hospital in Etaples on 22 July 1916 suffering from synovitis (right knee) and was transferred to England (Brighton) on 23 July for treatment. He was serving at the Command Depot, Ripon, when he was admitted to hospital from 1 October 1916-9 November 1916 (40 days), again with synovitis of the right knee. Henry returned to France on 7 February 1917 and was killed in action nine months later on 19 November 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, West Vlaanderen, Belgium (Panel 99 to 102 and 162 to 162A). He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
His brother Tom Wallace Blackwell, served in the 8th Bn Lincolnshire Regiment and died of wounds on 29 August 1918 (St Sever Cemetery Extension). (See record on this Roll of Honour) Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour', 8 December 1917: 'Blackwell. Killed in action November 18th 1917, Henry W Blackwell, Sherwood Foresters, age 36 (sic), eldest son of Tom and Annie Blackwell of 235 Castle Boulevard, Lenton. Mother, father, Gerty and Harold and brother Wallace [Tom Wallace] (wounded, in hospital). Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 19 November 1919: ‘Blackwell. In loving memory of Henry W Blackwell (Sherwoods), killed in action November 19th, 1917. Sweet is the memory of departed worth. From mother, father, sisters and brothers.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Henry's private property was returned to his mother Annie in March 1918 and comprised: cigarette case, purse, badge, 18ct gold ring, disc, wallet, letters, photos, cards, 3 religious books, registered envelope.
