HARRY BLACKWELL 

Harry Blackwell was born in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, in July 1880, the son of John Blackwell and Ellen Blackwell. His father had been born in 1872, in Manchester, and his mother was born in the same year, in Llanllechen, Cearnarvon, North Wales. They married in 1891, and by 1911, had 8 of their children living with them: Jane Ellen Blackwell (born in 1893); Elizabeth Blackwell (born in 1895); Griffith Allan Blackwell (born in 1896); John Walkin Blackwell (born in 1899); Gladys Mary Blackwell (born in 1901); Caradoc Harry Blackwell (born in 1903); Annie Blackwell (born in1907); and Gwen Blackwell (born in 1909). In 1911, they were living at 17, Hilbre Street, Birkenhead, and John Blackwell was employed as a Railway Porter. His eldest daughter, Jane, was employed as in the Embossing Printing Department, Messrs. Lever Brothers, Port Sunlight; Elizabeth was a Soap Wrapper in the same works as her older sister; and Griffith, after his education at St. Peter’s School, was employed as a Delivery Van Lad for The London & North Western Railway Company. John, Gladys, and Caradoc were still at school. By 1914, his family had moved to 17, Hope Street, Birkenhead. Harry Blackwell was one of the older children of John and Ellen Blackwell, and he does not appear on the 1911 Census with the rest of his family. In 1901, he was employed as a Railway Foreman or Porter in a Railway Warehouse, but was living with his widowed cousin, Louisa Jones (born in 1855), and her 4 children: William Jones (born in 1877); John Jones (born in 1886); David Jones (born in 1891); and Maggie Jones (born in 1893); at 2, Bentinck Terrace, Birkenhead. William Jones was employed as a Bakers Van Man, and John was an Assistant Pawn Broker. By 1911, Harry Blackwell was classed as a boarder with his cousin, Louisa Jones, who had now moved to 7, Berry Street, Birkenhead, and he was employed as a Dock Labourer. Living with them were 2 of Louisa’s children: David (a window cleaner), and Maggie. By 1915, he was living at 24, Park Street, Birkenhead.

On 11th December 1915, Harry Blackwell attested under the Derby Scheme, and enlisted. At his medical he was recorded as being 5ft 7in tall; with a 36in chest; brown hair; blue/grey eyes; a fair complexion; and weighing150lbs. He had tattoo marks on both forearms, and his age was given as 35 years 150 days. At the time of enlistment, he was still employed as a Dock Labourer, and his next-of-kin was given as being his sister, Annie Blackwell. By religion, he was a Methodist. Harry Blackwell was recorded as having previously suffered with a right inguinal hernia. On completion of his medical, he was posted to the Army Reserve on the same day. He was mobilized on 8th June 1917, and sent to the Royal Naval Division training camp at Blandford, where he was posted to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion RND, on 13th June 1917. He was rated Able Seaman on 30th October 1917. On completion of his training, Able Seaman Blackwell embarked for France, at Folkestone, on 1st November 1917, and disembarked at Boulogne later the same day. He was sent to the Royal Naval Division Base Depot, Calais, on 2nd November 1917, and was posted to the Anson Bn on 10th November 1917. Able Seaman Blackwell actually joined the Anson Bn on 14th November 1917, in the Ledeszeele area, Belgium. On 12th December 1917, he was admitted to 148th Field Ambulance, and then subsequentley transferred to the 6th (London) Field Ambulance, with an accidentally sprained ankle. Able Seaman Blackwell was transferred to No.7 Canadian General Hospital, Etaples, on 14th December 1917. From here he was sent to the 6th Convalescence Depot, on 29th December 1917, and on 6th December 1918, was transferred to the 13th Convalescence Depot, Trouville. On 21st February 1918, he was admitted to 72nd General Hospital, Trouville, and sent to No.15 Convalescence Depot, Trouville, on 20th March 1918. He evntually was sent to the Royal Naval Division Base Depot, Calais, on 17th April 1918, and re-joined the Anson Bn on 22nd April 1918, which was then taking part in action’s on the old 1916 battlefields of the Somme. On 12th June 1918, he was admitted to 148th Field Ambulance (reason not given), and re-joined his battalion later the same day. Able Seaman Blackwell was temporarily attached for duty with the 176th Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers from 22nd June 1918 – 24th July 1918, and then re-joined the Anson Bn RND. He was seriously wounded in the chest during an attack by companies of the Anson Bn on Logeast Wood, or the Achiet-Arras railway, on 21st August 1918. He was eventually admitted to the 56th Casualty Clearing Station, and a telegram was sent to his family bluntly stating: “Dangerously ill. Gunshot wounds chest”

Able Seaman Blackwell died of his wounds on 22nd August 1918, and was buried in Plot 4, Row B, Grave 25, Bagneux British Cemetery, Gezaincourt, France.



Family application form requesting Harry to be added to the Birkenhead War Memorial.



Researched and compiled by Peter Threlfall.