Tasmanian War Casualties

WW1

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Blackhall Donald Eric

P07857.007 THE FOLLOWING WAS WRITTEN BY BARBARA TORLEY

Enlisted A.I.F. on 1 MAR 1916. Pte. (427A) 24th Machine Gun Company. He was described as a labourer, 21 yrs 3 mnths, 5ft 8ins tall, weight 145 lbs., chest 36 inches, complexion fair, hair light brown. He had 2 small scars on left shin & small round scar on front of upper right thigh.

He was mentioned in Courier as Pte. D Blackall of Tarauna, news section 18/5/1916, page 31 cln 3.

He embarked per "Wiltshire" at Sydney on 22 AUG 1916 arriving at Plymouth on

12 OCT 1916.

He was transferred to Cyclist Training Battalion at Chiseldon on 8 NOV 1916.

Admitted to hospital in MAY 1917 for Scabies & then taken on Strength to 1st Cyclist Battalion.

Proceeded overseas From Southampton to France on 7 SEP 1917 back with the 24th Machine Gun Company.

His photo was in the Weekly Courier's "Roll of Honour" with the following

"Machine-Gunner D. E. BLACKHALL of Hastings, Winner of Middle-Weight Boxing Tournament, Chiseldon Camp, England

He was Killed in Action on 17 OCT 1917 in Belgium & buried at YPRES (Menin

Gate) Memorial Cemetery, Leper, West-Vlaanderen in Belgium. He was aged 22 years.

In weekly courier on 6 DEC 1917 an article reads

"SOLDIER AND ATHLETE. The news that Machine-Gunner Donald Eric Blackhall had made the supreme sacrifice in France was received with sorrow here. The deceased soldier, who was a native of Hastings, but enlisted from Taranna, was of splendid physique, and was one of our leading sportsmen. Whilst in England he won the middle-weight boxing tournament at Chiseldon Camp. He went to France with the Tasmanian Battalion. He was of a kindly disposition, and loved by

all who knew him. The deepest sympathy goes to his parents, who live in

Hastings, in their sad visitation."

In Examiner 22 DEC 1917

"BLACKHALL.-In loving memory of Gunner D. E.

Blackhall, killed in action Oc tober 17th, 1917. Another hero gone to rest, To sleep for ever with the blest: He knew that honour was at stake, And so, for King and country's sake, He sacrificed his worthy life, Was foremost in the thickest strife; And now he meets the great reward; Meted out by Thee, O Lord. Loved by all who knew him, Inserted by his loving mother and father, sisters and brothers, Arthur and Leslie (on active service abroad)

His mother wrote to Major Lean on 10 OCT 1922 requesting a copy of Pamphlet entitled "Graves of the Fallen" She enclosed stamps for 6pence, quoting the fact that her husband died on July 2nd, 1919. The Pamphlet was forwarded on 19th October.

His name is mentioned on the War Memorial at Southport.

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Tasmanian War Casualties, Honouring the past, building understanding.