Main CPGW Record
Surname: BLACKBURN
Forename(s): Wilfred
Place of Birth: Barrowford, Lancashire
Service No: 13716
Rank: A/Sergeant
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 'A' Coy 10th (Service) Battalion
Division: 23rd Division
Age: 23
Date of Death: 1916-07-29
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 6 A and 6 B.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: ADDINGHAM, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Wilfred Blackburn was the son of William and Elizabeth Ann Blackburn, née Horner. William was born at Slaidburn and Elizabeth at Bentham, Yorkshire.
1901 Barrowford, Lancashire Census: 5, Lee Street - Wilfrid Blackburn, aged 7 years, born Barrowford, son of William and Elizabeth A. Blackburn.
1911 Addingham, Yorkshire Census: West Hall, Nessfield - Wilfred Blackburn, aged 17 years, born Nelson, Lancashire. [Wilfred was living with his uncle, Thomas Blackburn a retired farmer. Thomas's two daughters, Alice and Elizabeth were running the farm.]
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: A/Sgt Wilfred Blackburn, 13716, W. Rid. R. Theatre of War first served in: (1) France. Date of entry therein: 26.8.15. K. in A. 27.7.16 [sic].
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: A/Sgt Wilfred Blackburn, 13716, 10th W. Rid. R. K. in A. 29.7.16.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: A/Sgt Wilfred Blackburn, 13716, 10th Bn W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: 29.7.16. In action. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Sister - Mrs Jessie Kendall. £23 1s 8d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) for Wilfred not found.
Wilfred is perhaps the Wilfred Blackburn commemorated on the Barrowford War Memorial.
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
BLACKBURN, Sergeant Wilfred, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, aged 23, nephew of the late Mr. Thos. Blackburn, West Hall Farm, Addingham, killed in action in France, 1916.
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A/Sergeant Wilfred BLACKBURN
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 23rd Division
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Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Unknown platoon of 'A' Company, 10th (Service) Battalion, Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment), Aldershot, 1914
Photograph sent home to his parents at Bolton by Bowland by Pte Henry (Harry) Valance Killeen (13738). Henry is standing, with his hands behind his back, 11th from right. His brother, Pte Reginald Victor Whiteley Killeen (q.v.), was killed in action on the 25 January 1916
Courtesy of Paula Ann Payne (née Bailey), Barnoldswick
'A' Company, 10th (Service) Battalion The Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment), Bramshott, August, 1915
Courtesy of Bernard Ideson
Names of identified officers and other ranks on above photograph
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
02 June 1916
ADDINGHAM - LETTERS FROM THE BOYS
Mr. Flint has received the following letters in acknowledgement of parcels sent out:-
Corporal Wilfred Blackburn writes:- "Thanks for parcel. Besides being beneficial to us in a practical sense, one feels we are remembered sometimes that the giving of ourselves is not forgotten. Lately, death has been exceedingly close, far too close to feel indifferent. Yesterday, and for many days previously, bombardments have been little short of terrifying. Houses go up like feathers, and soldiers and civilians are dug constantly from the debris. I don't know what to think of an advance for my eye, of course, is very limited in its sight and the object in hand so vast a poor soldier cannot see much of things in general. Today we leave for the trenches, having been out for five days."
11 August 1916
BLACKBURN - Killed in action in France, Sergt. Wilfred Blackburn, of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment, nephew of the late Mr. Thos. Blackburn, West Hall Farm, Addingham.
11 August 1916
ADDINGHAM
We regret to announce further casualties amongst Addingham lads:-
In a letter to his parents, an Addingham soldier conveys the sad news that Sergt. Wilfred Blackburn has been killed. He says:- "I am sorry to say poor Wilfred Blackburn has been knocked out. He was laid dead close to where I stood as we halted after the work we were on with was finished. I could not help but think about him, he was a good sergeant."
Blackburn, who was only 23 years of age, was a fine type of young manhood. He had resided with his uncle, the late Mr. Thomas Blackburn, West Hall Farm, since he was 11 years old. He joined the Dukes in September, 1914, and had been in France about nine months.
18 August 1916
ADDINGHAM - NEWS OF SOLDIERS
Miss Blackburn has received the following communication respecting the death of her cousin, Sergt. W. Blackburn:-"Perhaps you have already heard of the death of your brother (cousin), but as his Platoon Officer I would like to tell you how much we all sympathise with you in your loss. He was a very efficient Sergeant and was very popular among the men. Capt. Tunstill, his Company Commander, tells me he has mentioned his name amongst those who did brilliant work in the recent fighting in which the Battalion played so successful a part. Personally I shall miss him very much, as he was a great help to me and could always be relied on. Again let me assure you of our deep sympathy with you in your sorrow. - Believe me, yours faithfully, F.L.D. Basker, 2nd Lieut., 10th West Ridings."
18 August 1916
ADDINGHAM - NEWS OF SOLDIERS
Mr. Flint has received the following letters in acknowledgment of parcels:-
R. Wall writes:-"Please accept heartiest thanks for splendid parcel. I regret to state that in our last spell in the trenches another good Addingham lad lost his life. I am referring to Sergt. W. Blackburn, of the 10th Battalion Duke of Wellington's. On our part of the line our chaps are doing very well, but God only knows when it will be over. The artillery on both sides is very good."
25 August 1916
ADDINGHAM - NEWS OF SOLDIERS
Mr. Flint has received the following letters in acknowledgment of parcels:-
Sergeant J.W. Fisher, writing from 2nd Western General Hospital, Manchester, says:-"Thanks for letter and P.O. I am pleased to hear you are still keeping the fund going. The things you send to the boys at the Front come in very handy, especially at this time, as they often get into a place where even if they have any money they cannot buy things. I am glad to say I am going on nicely and my hand is mending champion. I was sorry to hear about Sergt. Blackburn being killed, as I was talking to one or two of his men just before they went into the trenches and they gave him such a good name. Hoping to see you all before long."
27 July 1917
BLACKBURN - Killed in action, July 30th 1916, Sergeant Wilfred Blackburn, 10th Duke of Wellington's.
He nobly answered his country's call,
He gave his life for one and all;
But the unknown grave is the bitterest blow
None but an aching heart can know.
From Sister Jessie and Cousin Betty.
26 July 1918
BLACKBURN - In ever loving memory of my dear brother. Sergeant W. Blackburn, killed in action, July 30th, 1916.
From Jessie.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
02 June 1916
ADDINGHAM SOLDIER'S LETTERS
Mr. Flint has received the following letters in acknowledgment of parcels sent out:- Corporal Wilfred Blackburn writes:- "Thanks for parcel. Besides being beneficial to us in a practical sense, one feels we are remembered sometimes that the giving of ourselves is not forgotten. Lately, death has been exceedingly close, far too close to feel indifferent. Yesterday, and for many days previously, bombardments have been little short of terrifying. Houses go up like feathers, and soldiers and civilians are dug constantly from the debris. I don't know what to think of an advance for my eye, of course, is very limited in its sight and the object in hand so vast a poor soldier cannot see much of things in general. Today we leave for the trenches, having been out for five days."
11 August 1916
BLACKBURN - In action in France, Sergt. Wilfred Blackburn of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment, of Addingham, aged 23.
11 August 1916
MORE ADDINGHAM CASUALTIES
We regret to announce further casualties amongst Addingham lads. In a letter to his parents, an Addingham soldier conveys the sad news that Sergt. Wilfred Blackburn has been killed. He says:- "I am sorry to say poor Wilfred Blackburn has been knocked out. He was laid dead close to where I stood as we halted after the work we were on with was finished. I could not help but think about him, he was a good sergeant."
Blackburn, who was only 23 years of age, was a fine type of young manhood. He had resided with his uncle, the late Mr. Thomas Blackburn, West Hall Farm, since he was 11 years old. He joined the Duke of Wellington's in September, 1914, and had been in France about nine months.
18 August 1916
THE LATE SERGT. W. BLACKBURN
Miss Blackburn has received the following communication respecting the death of her cousin, Sergt. W. Blackburn:-
"Dear Miss Blackburn,- Perhaps you have already heard of the death of your cousin, but as his platoon officer I would like to tell you how much we all sympathise with you in your loss. He was a very efficient sergeant, and was very popular among the men. Capt. Tunstill, his company commander, tells me he has mentioned his name amongst those who did brilliant work in the recent fighting in which the battalion played so successful a part. Personally I shall miss him very much, as he was a great help to me and could always be relied on. Again let me assure you of our deep sympathy with you in your sorrow. - Believe me, yours faithfully, F.L.D. Busher, 2nd Lieut., 10th West Ridings."
25 August 1916
ADDINGHAM SOLDIERS' LETTERS
Mr. Flint has received the following letters in acknowledgement of parcels:-
R. Wall writes:- "Please accept heartiest thanks for splendid parcel. I regret to state that in our last spell in the trenches another good Addingham lad lost his life. I am referring to Sergt. W. Blackburn, of the 10th Batt. Duke of Wellington's. On our part of the line our chaps are doing very well, but God only knows when it will be over. The artillery on both sides is very good."
03 August 1917
In loving memory of a dear friend, Sergt. Wilfred Blackburn, killed in action July 29th, 1916.
It may be a soldier's honour
For his country's sake to fall;
But those who feel the sorrow
Never think of the glory at all.
- From Mr. and Mrs. W. Bradley, Church Street, Addingham.
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