1821 Info 12: Caleb Crompton - Blackmans

1821 Info 12 for Caleb Crompton
William and Frances Blackman and their children

William and Frances


Above: The Blackman family grave, Dowling Forest Cemetery January 2005		Above: The Blackman family headstone, Dowling Forest Cemetery January 2005
The headstone reads: In/Loving memory/OF OUR DEAR/MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER/AND LITTLE JACK/ALSO LESLIE A.I.F./KILLED IN FRANCE 1916/AND GRANDFATHER

The Official Burial Book of Dowling Forest Cemetery (the cemetery for Miners Rest) records:

Surname	First name	When buried	Age	Plot
BLACKMAN	Emily Frances Res. Elsternwick C/E married	bur 11 Dec 1923	71
	Jack (Little Jack)
	John d. Ballarat, Caretaker	bur 1931	85	1 8
	John Res. Miners Rest C/E ?Jack	bur 16 Jan 1883	10	1 8
	Leslie A.I.F. Killed in France	1916

Note the transposition of Frances forenames and that she returned to Miners Rest for her burial. If it is assumed that John Blackman is William's brother and since it is known that William came from Kent then some tentative deductions can be made.

The birth records of the General Registrars Office show only one John Blackman born in Kent for the year 1846.

March quarter 1846    John Christmas Blackman  Dover  5   133

Assuming that William was born in the same town there is only one William born in Dover between 1837 and 1850.

December quarter 1843 William Blackman         Dover  5   106

Leslie crompton, William and Frances' sixth child

Leslie crompton's war and death in Belgium has its own page.

1821 info12, sheet 2

Ida may, William and Frances' seventh child

In 1911 Ida married Nelson Frederick Wellington was commissioned Captain and awarded the Military Cross, with 21st Battalion, 1st AIF in World War 1. Nelson Frederick was involved in the Second World War where he rose to the rank of Lieut. Colonel and was awarded the DSO.

Walter thomas john, William and Frances' eighth child

Whilst serving with the 2nd Field Ambulance, attached to 55th Battalion, Walter received a field commission. It is thought that this occurred at Bellicourt on 30 September 1918, when 55th Battalion attacked the second line of defences on the Hindenburg Line.

1821 info12, sheet 3

Lyle aubrey Blackman, William and Frances' ninth child in war and peace

Lyle Aubrey was educated at Ballarat State School and Grenville College. He and his cousin John Reginald both joined the famous 8th Battalion, when it recruited from Ballarat and its surrounding district. They are both on the nominal roll of the original battalion when it sailed on HMAS A24 'Benella', from Melbourne on 19 October 1914.

Blackman LA 2nd/Lt 'D' Coy
Blackman JR 523 L/Cpl 'E' Coy

Both served in Gallipoli and with distinction in France. Both would have been eligible for the 1915 Star, received at different times promotion to the rank of captain, the Military Cross for bravery and were wounded in action.

The follow extracts from the War Diaries of 8th Battalion, relating to the months of March to October 1918 illustrate the activities of the Blackman cousins.

WAR DIARIES or INTELLIGENT SUMMARY `8^th Battalion`
Date	Place	Time	Summary of Events or Information
`17/3/18`	`Dezon Camp`		`Lt LA Blackman appointed to command 'C' Coy during the temporary absence of Capt. Fox.`
`29/3/18`	`RIDGEWOOD WHIZ FARM Wytschaete [Belgium]`	`12am`	`Lt JR Blackman MC and Lt JG Murdock left No 3 post south to patrol of 10 OR and ------ forward to reconnoitre WHIZ FARM. Patrol some what hampered by enemy MG fire but succeeded in going v. close to enemy's advanced post. The Farm appeared to be very strongly garrisoned. On returning patrol appeared followed by hostile patrol. Lt. Blackman promptly arranged an ambush fire, sending Lt Murdock back to his own lines with half the patrol so as to draw the enemy.`
`24/6/18`	?		`Captain Fox returned.`
`28/6/18`	?	`6am`	`Our artillery, trench mortars and machine guns opened fire to give support in operation which was being carried out on our right. Enemy artillery replies putting a barrage about our front line. A few men wounded, including Lieut. JR Blackman MC and 4 OR evacuated wounded.`
`20/10/18`	`Villers-sous-Ailly [Somme]`		`Advice received from Division that a number of officers of this battalion had been awarded honours. Capt. LA Blackman - Awarded Military Cross.`
(Adjutant)

Source: 8^th Battalion War Diaries, The National Archives, London WO95/3240

Battalion Nominal Roll for 29 July 1918 shows that Lieut. LA Blackman headed the list of 'A' Coy officers, implying that he was again acting captain. Neither of the Blackman cousins are listed in the Nominal Rolls for August and September 1918. There is no evidence of either Lt. LA or Lt. JR being gazetted captain.

1821 info12, sheet 4

Lyle's Military Cross action is recorded in ‘Cobbers in Khaki: History of the 8th Battalion 1914-1918’, along his photograph.

'The stubborn enemy defences caused Brigadier General Hearne to telephone Colonel Mitchell to ask if the 8th Battalion could capture the hill. Mitchell replied, “Yes I can, if you allow me to make my own dispositions and the time of the assault.” Hearne agreed to this proposals, so Mitchell then arranged for an attack to be launched against the enemy posts, using extended line formation, without auxiliary support. This was done with maximum of noise from the attackers and resulted in the battalion securing the high ground just on dark. The right flank of the attack was confronted with some isolated enemy posts, which were quickly and methodically removed by the efforts of the company commander Lieutenant Lyle Blackman and one of his platoon commanders, Thomas Anderson. Most of Blackman’s officers became casualties and when Blackman was wounded in both legs, the shoulder and arm, he could have been excused any further participation in the action. But this was not Blackman’s style, and he continued to fight his company, even leading it in a bayonet charge, before he was ordered to report to the RAP by his CO.'
Above right: LA Blackman in the uniform of a second lieutenant, similar to those worn by Duntroon Military Academy. This is a very early photograph because when the Australian units were created in 1914 the country was short of uniforms and Sam Brown belts. The photo is likely taken before leaving Australia as officers were provided Khaki shirt in France or just before leaving Egypt.

'The stubborn enemy defences caused Brigadier General Hearne to telephone Colonel Mitchell to ask if the 8th Battalion could capture the hill. Mitchell replied, “Yes I can, if you allow me to make my own dispositions and the time of the assault.” Hearne agreed to this proposals, so Mitchell then arranged for an attack to be launched against the enemy posts, using extended line formation, without auxiliary support. This was done with maximum of noise from the attackers and resulted in the battalion securing the high ground just on dark.

The right flank of the attack was confronted with some isolated enemy posts, which were quickly and methodically removed by the efforts of the company commander Lieutenant Lyle Blackman and one of his platoon commanders, Thomas Anderson. Most of Blackman’s officers became casualties and when Blackman was wounded in both legs, the shoulder and arm, he could have been excused any further participation in the action. But this was not Blackman’s style, and he continued to fight his company, even leading it in a bayonet charge, before he was ordered to report to the RAP by his CO.'

Above right: LA Blackman in the uniform of a second lieutenant, similar to those worn by Duntroon Military Academy. This is a very early photograph because when the Australian units were created in 1914 the country was short of uniforms and Sam Brown belts. The photo is likely taken before leaving Australia as officers were provided Khaki shirt in France or just before leaving Egypt.

Source: Austin R, ‘Cobbers in Khaki: History of the 8th Battalion 1914-1918’, Slouched Hat, Reprinted 2004, page 202

The Official History of the action records:

'At all events when the 1st Division’s centre, Campbell’s company of the 8th and Fowler’s of the 7th, worked uphill south of these Germans, and, by order of Capt. Kitchen, the left centre under Lieut. Gordons attacked them, the Germans facing Gordon gave way and in something like panic ran back over the hill. “We outflanked old Fritz,” reported Campbell, “and got behind him.” But the Victorians were too tired to give chase. They had fought for a mile and a half after a hot, dusty march of a dozen miles loaded with battle-kit, extra ammunition, greatcoat, waterproof sheet, and two days’ rations, and had eaten only such food as they could snatch in the short interval at Bayonvillers or Harbonnieres. And they had lost heavily, especially in officers: in addition to those already mentioned, Lieuts. Hamblett, an outstanding officer, andCaddy of the 7th, and Vial of the 8th had been killed, and Capt. Kitchen mortally wounded. ⁷⁴

'At all events when the 1st Division’s centre, Campbell’s company of the 8th and Fowler’s of the 7th, worked uphill south of these Germans, and, by order of Capt. Kitchen, the left centre under Lieut. Gordons attacked them, the Germans facing Gordon gave way and in something like panic ran back over the hill. “We outflanked old Fritz,” reported Campbell, “and got behind him.” But the Victorians were too tired to give chase. They had fought for a mile and a half after a hot, dusty march of a dozen miles loaded with battle-kit, extra ammunition, greatcoat, waterproof sheet, and two days’ rations, and had eaten only such food as they could snatch in the short interval at Bayonvillers or Harbonnieres. And they had lost heavily, especially in officers: in addition to those already mentioned, Lieuts. Hamblett, an outstanding officer, andCaddy of the 7th, and Vial of the 8th had been killed, and Capt. Kitchen mortally wounded. ⁷⁴

Map showing LA Blackman's action 19Kb-gif

⁷⁴ In the 7th Lt W. J S G Poole (Melbourne) also was killed and Lt. F. J. Smedley (Hawthorn, Vic ) mortally wounded. Lts J V Larhin (Ballarat) and H. C. Dyer (Hawthorn, Vic of the 8th were killed farther back. Two company commanders of the 8th. Capt. C. L Fox (Melbourne) and Lt L A Blackman (Ballarat) were wounded - the former severely, the latter carried on.'

Source: Bean, CEW, ‘The Official History of Australia in the Great War, Vol. VI, May 1918 to Armistice’, p.638-640, Angus and Robertson, Sydney, 1943

1821 info12, sheet 5

The official recommendation for the award of the Military Cross records:

W6378/M755 500m 9/16 G S M.369 Army Form W.3121. 2nd AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY Brigade 1ST AUSTRALIAN Division Australian Corps Aug 17^th 1918 Date of recommendation
Unit	Reg. No	Rank and name	Action for which commended	Recommended by	Honour or Reward
8th Battalion A.I.F.		Lieutenant Lyle Aubrey BLACKMAN	For conspicuous and devotion to duty during the attack North of ROSIERES on the 9/8/18. Lieut. Blackman was in charge of the right forward company in the attack and showed courage and fine leadership during the operation. He personally lead his men throughout and when strong opposition was encountered he handles the situation with such sound tactics and dash that he secured his objective against superior numbers and very heavy machine gun opposition, with nominal casualties. Early in the advance he was wounded by a shell, in both legs, shoulder and arm but carried on. As there were other officer casualties in his company, his retirement would have somewhat embarrassed the situation. He, though suffering severely, personally lead several bayonet charges into German groups of posts and positions, setting his men a splendid example which they were not slow to follow. Though under heavy shell fire, he personally superintended the consolidation of his objective and carried on until the following day, refusing to go to the dressing station until personally ordered to do so by his Commanding Officer. Throughout the whole operation he frequently sent full and concise reports to the rear, advising the situation. Received 17/8/18 Passed 18/8/18 Recommended ??? Brig General Commanding 2^ndInf Bde	JW Mitchell Lt.Col	MILITARY CROSS

Source: Australian War Memorial biographical database of Honours and Awards (Recommendations: First World War)

Captain LA Blackman, MC, returned to Australia on 10 May 1919.

1821 info12, sheet 6

The war of John Reginald Blackman born 1888 in Stawell, Victoria. Lt JR Blackman distinguished himself at Pozieres on 23 July 1916.

'The HQ of the 7th and 8th Battalions was sited in the Gibraltar strong point, but even that concrete structure succumbed to the shelling, and two signallers were killed when part of the roof caved in. The constant shelling was now seriously affecting the fighting capacity of the troops in the forward trenches. ... The terror of Pozieres is dramatically captured in a letter written to his parents by Reg Johanesen:

We lay in shell holes all night and as soon as dawn came they started to shell, and all hell let loose. They shelled us all day without a break and men we getting skittled everywhere. I shall never forget the cries of the wounded for Stretcher Bearers. We never had a moment’s spell from them until the time we were relieved. I could hear the cries for Stretcher Bearers in my sleep for weeks after. We were four days in that hell.

The officers and men of the 8th Battalion emerged with flying colours from what was their first real experience of war on the Western Front. The continual pounding of artillery was a far cry from the pitiful bombardments that had been the norm at Gallipoli. Some of the battalion members who distinguished themselves during the first attack on Pozieres included: … Lieutenant John Blackman … The casualty lists emerging from Pozieres were cast a pall of gloom over Australian community, as the home front at last fully realised the high price of victory demanded.'

Source: Austin R, ‘Cobbers in Khaki: History of the 8th Battalion 1914-1918’, Slouched Hat, Reprinted 2004, page 122

For this action Lt. Col G Coulter, O/C 8^thBattalion recommended John Robert [sic] for the Military Cross. However, this recommendation was amended to the 'Silver Medal'. This, a Serbian bravery medal, commonly known as "Milosh Obilich Medal for Bravery", was founded on 12 July 1913 by King Peter I, and awarded for acts of the conspicuous personal bravery, or for personal bravery in the field. During the Great War both Serbian national and allied military personnel received the award. The Bravery Medal was worn suspended from the red ribbon. Since the Serbs fought on the Allies side their officers were officially decorated. It was more a "honorary/diplomatic" decoration. Note the incorrect second name - a secretarial error? The nominal roll of the 8^th Battalion and of the A.I.F. shows only one JR Blackman.

For this action Lt. Col G Coulter, O/C 8^thBattalion recommended John Robert [sic] for the Military Cross. However, this recommendation was amended to the 'Silver Medal'. This, a Serbian bravery medal, commonly known as "Milosh Obilich Medal for Bravery", was founded on 12 July 1913 by King Peter I, and awarded for acts of the conspicuous personal bravery, or for personal bravery in the field. During the Great War both Serbian national and allied military personnel received the award. The Bravery Medal was worn suspended from the red ribbon.

Since the Serbs fought on the Allies side their officers were officially decorated. It was more a "honorary/diplomatic" decoration.

Note the incorrect second name - a secretarial error? The nominal roll of the 8^th Battalion and of the A.I.F. shows only one JR Blackman.

W6378/M755 500m 9/16 G S M.369 Army Form W.3121. 2nd AUST INF Brigade 1ST AUST Division 1st ANZAC Corps 8.10.1916 Date of recommendation
Unit	Reg. No	Rank and name	Action for which commended	Recommended by	Honour or Reward
8^thBatn		Lieutenant JOHN ROBERT BLACKMAN	Lieut. John Robert Blackman, a platoon Commander of "D" Coy, who led the attack through Pozieres on 25/7/16. His coolness and courage at a critical moment was a big factor in the success of this attack. He is utterly regardless of danger and his example had a splendid moral effect on his men. He led a party forward from our new line N. of Cemetary [sic] and established a Strong Post. This was done under heavy fire. A splendid young Officer who rose to great heights. He joined the Battalion in Aug. 1914 and has shown consistent good work ever since. He has not been away from the unit since its inception.	Lt-Col. G. Coulter	~~Military Cross~~ Awarded Silver Medal for Bravery

1821 info12, sheet 7

The Official History only makes general references to the 8th Battalion action when JR Blackman won his Military Cross.

'The 8th Battalion, on far right, advance to the Green Line occupied in most parts only a few minutes. Everyone expected resistance at the points from which fire had been coming during the pause, and, if the Germans there had now been ready to come into the open, taking all risks, they could have caused great trouble. But the renewed impact of the overwhelming barrage had dissipated any such tendency. As the line advanced the enemy appeared glad to surrender. From the row of pillboxes

north of the Reutelheek, Germans came running to give themselves up to the 8th Battalion. On the ridge itself, when the barrage died down, the thin stumps of Polygon Wood, shimmering in the noon-day heat above a wilderness of brown shellholes, showed in most parts no sign of movement. From the grim mound at its farther end a few figures, apparently observers, were hunted off by Lewis guns and by increased shelling.' In the action 8^th Battalion’s casualties were 10 officers and 219 OR killed.

north of the Reutelheek, Germans came running to give themselves up to the 8th Battalion.

On the ridge itself, when the barrage died down, the thin stumps of Polygon Wood, shimmering in the noon-day heat above a wilderness of brown shellholes, showed in most parts no sign of movement. From the grim mound at its farther end a few figures, apparently observers, were hunted off by Lewis guns and by increased shelling.'

In the action 8^th Battalion’s casualties were 10 officers and 219 OR killed.

Source: Bean, CEW, ‘The Official History of Australia in the Great War, Vol. IV, 1917 chapter XVIII’, Angus and Robertson, Sydney, 1941 pages 776 and 789

W6378/M755 500m 9/16 G S M.369 Army Form W.3121. 2nd AUST. INFANTRY Brigade 1ST AUSTRALIAN Division 1st Anzac Corps 27th September 1917. Date of recommendation
Unit	Reg. No	Rank and name	Action for which commended	Recommended by	Honour or Reward
8th Battalion A.I.F.		Lieut. John Reginald BLACKMAN.	During the attack on POLYGON WOOD near YPRES on September 20th 1917 this officer displayed great dash and gallantry in attacking a 'PILL BOX' Strong Post, which was holding up his Company's advance. In doing so, he and a small section captured 42 prisoners and 2 Machine Guns. Later in the attack he rendered splendid work by selecting the position on the flank for Lewis guns, which covered the consolidation. His cheerful manner, coolness, and fine leadership throughout, inspired his men with great confidence. Signed Major-General, Commanding 1st Australian Division. Date recommendation passed forward. Received. Passed. Brigade. 26/9/17. Division.27/9/17. 28/9/17 Corps. Army.	G.O.C. 2nd Aust. Inf. Bde.	Military Cross Awarded

Source: Australian War Memorial biographical database of Honours and Awards (Recommendations: First World War)

1821 info12, sheet 8

Group portrait of the officers of the 8th Battalion, photographed 20.2.1918 at Doncaster Camp, Locre Hospice. Source: IWM photograph E 1811

Group portrait of the officers of the 8th Battalion, photographed 20.2.1918 at Doncaster Camp, Locre Hospice.

Source: IWM photograph E 1811

Left to right, back row: Lieutenant (Lt) A. W. Finlayson MC; Lt S. W. Young MC MM; Lt J. G. Pitt; Lt F. W. Tickle MC; Lt R. W. Dowling MC; Lt R. Woodhouse.
Middle row: Lt J. G. Evans MC; Lt T. Anderson MC DCM; Lt R. V. Andrewartha; Lt J. Bourke; Lt P. A. Waters MC; Lt P. G. Perkin; Lt J. L. Foott; Lt W. D. Joynt VC; Lt R. G. Hutson; unidentified; Lt W. D. N. Hooper; Lt S. Young; Lt H. G. Whitton; Lt W. G. M. Claridge.
Front row: Captain A. G. Campbell DSO; Lt J. R. Blackman MC; Lt H. Fenton; Major J. H. P. Eller DSO; Lieutenant Colonel J. W. Mitchell DSO; Lt Col J. C. M. Traill DSO MC; Lt A. D. Temple MC; Honorary Capt E. Freeman MC.

'At midnight on 1st April [1918], a large raiding party led by Lieutenant [J] Blackman, with Lieutenants Tickle, Murdoch, Davis and 54 men left the lines and attacked Whiz Farm [Wytschaete, Belgium]. The raid achieved total surprise and resulted in six enemy who were captured and the death of about 40 Germans. Blackman's party attacked a pill box containing 23 enemy, of who 20 were killed, and three captured. ... The patrol's casualties were not light, with five men wounded, three of whom died of their wounds and the Intelligence Officer, Lieutenant Davis, missing. Once Blackman

ascertained that Davis was missing, he immediately took out another patrol across No Man's Land to the enemy position, in a fruitless search for his fellow officer. Blackman searched along the wire until close to day break when he was forced to return to the battalion position.' (Page 187)

Captain JR Blackman, MC, returned to Australia on 14 January 1919.

The town of Ballarat published a book outlining the war service of its soldiers which appears to be linked to the trees of Ballarat's Avenue of Honour (Remembrance Drive. The following entry, an addition stapled in to the book, is attributed to Lyle A. Blackman Tree No 114. However, errors suggest that this entry could refer to Captain James R Blackman, along with the photograph attributed to Private Leslie Crompton Blackman.

Neither Lyle nor James were killed in action and therefore should not have had a tree dedicated to them.
In the photo below, the officers uniform.
Lt James R Blackman was wounded on 28 June 1918 not 28 March 1918.
It is likely that Lt JR won his MC at Pozieres between 23 July 1916 and 7 August 1916
In August 1918 it is likely that Lyle was in hospital having been severely wounded. His MC was not announced until 20 October 1918.

		Lyle A Blackman, born at Miners Rest, was a captain in the 8th Battalion. In the War he served in Egypt, Gallipoli, England and France. He was wounded on 28 March 1918 and admitted to 3rd London General Hospital, returned to duty and was wounded on a second occasion at Pozieres and admitted to the Le Treport Hospital, then again to the 3rd London General Hospital. Captain Blackman was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry and devotion to duty, at Buckingham Palace in August 1918.
Above: LA or JR Blackman?		Quite what can be attributed to whom remains to be decided.

1821 info12, sheet 9

Lyle was heavily involved with the South Street music and elocution competition, to which he gave 58 years service - as clerk from 1906, and then as assistant Secretary (c. 1911) and then Secretary from 1921. He was a partner in W.D. Hill and Company, Estate Agents, from 1914. At the time of his death, in November 1964, Lyle was living at 46 Victoria Avenue, Ballarat. He was cremated at Ballarat Crematorium.

Biographical detail

Portrait of Lyle at SLV: L Blackman, assistant Secretary of the South Street Executive Committee 1911. Portrait. Roberts Collection. Envelope 11. MSS. Ask librarian at desk.
Obituary in "Vic. Hist. Mag", vol.37, no.1, Feb 1966 (SLT 994.5005 V66)
Biographical notes in "Ballarat & district citizens and sports at home and abroad" by M. M. McCallum, p. 10 (SLT 920.0945 M12)

Blackman's remembered at The Victoria State Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne




Top: One volume of The Book of Remembrance situated in The Crypt. Above: The Shrine of Remembrance, west of St Kilda Road, adjacent to Government House. January 2005.		Above: The page dedicated to JR Blackman, L Blackman, La Blackman and WJT Blackman, brothers and cousins.

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This page was created by Richard Crompton and maintained by Chris Glass	Version A.2 Updated 08 April 2005

1821 Info 12 for Caleb Crompton William and Frances Blackman and their children