Blackburn’s experience at Gallipoli
Blackburn arrived at Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915 in the 10th Battalion. He was among the first wave of troops to arrive. On that day, the 10th battalion’s objective was to find the enemy gun emplacements, believed to be behind 400 plateau. Blackburn accidently parted from the battalion, but he met up with Lance Corporal Phil Robin. Together, they achieved the goal and were credited by Charles Bean. Later, Blackburn wrote to his brother, “travelling across this valley was a decidedly lively time as the scrub was full of snipers” (amw.gov, Victoria Cross). Sadly, Robin was killed only three days later.
On 23 July 1916, The 10th Battalion, and Blackburn, attacked Pozieres, France. Blackburn led eight separate assaults that attacked German trenches. They captured 400 metres of trench but he lost many men. His commanding officer said, “matters looked anything but cheerful… but [he] neither lost his head nor his heart” (amw.gov, Brigadier Arthur Seaforth Blackburn). He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his effort on 4 October 1916. In 1942, Blackburn was promoted to brigadier, a very high rank for a man who was once a private, the lowest of the ranks. Blackburn died on 24 November 1960 in Mount Lofty, South Australia.
On 23 July 1916, The 10th Battalion, and Blackburn, attacked Pozieres, France. Blackburn led eight separate assaults that attacked German trenches. They captured 400 metres of trench but he lost many men. His commanding officer said, “matters looked anything but cheerful… but [he] neither lost his head nor his heart” (amw.gov, Brigadier Arthur Seaforth Blackburn). He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his effort on 4 October 1916. In 1942, Blackburn was promoted to brigadier, a very high rank for a man who was once a private, the lowest of the ranks. Blackburn died on 24 November 1960 in Mount Lofty, South Australia.