Arthur Seaforth Blackburn
Second Lieutenant, 10th Battalion (S. A.) Australian Imperial Force
- Register No.
- 95 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Second Lieutenant all Second Lieutenants →
- Unit
- 10th Battalion (S. A.) Australian Imperial Force (register: 10th Battalion, AIF) all AIF VCs →
- Date of action
- 23 July 1916 on this day → all of 1916 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 9th September 1916 on this day → all of 1916 →
- Born
- 20th November 1892 at Adelaide, South Australia
- Died
- 24th November 1960 at Adelaide, South Australia
- Memorial / grave
- AIF Cemetery and on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia
- Medal held by
- the Australian War Memorial.Canberra,
Digest of citation
On 23rd July 1916, at Posieres, France, Second Lieutenant Blackburn was directed with 50 men to drive the enemy from a strong point. By great determination he eventually captured 250 yards of trench, after personally leading four separate parties of bombers against it, many of whom became casualties. Then after crawling forward with A sergeant to reconnoitre, he returned, attacked and seized another 120 yards of trench, establishing communication with the Battalion on his left
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
BLACKBURN, Arthur Seaforth. (reg. No. 95)
Second Lieutenant 10th Battalion (S. A.) Australian Imperial Force.
London Gazetted on 9th September 1916.
VC Medal's Custodian is the Australian War Memorial.Canberra, Australia.
Born on 20th November 1892 at Adelaide, South Australia..
Died on 24th November 1960 at Adelaide, South Australia.
Memorial at AIF Cemetery and on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia.
Digest of Citation reads: On 23rd July 1916, at Posieres, France, Second Lieutenant Blackburn was directed with 50 men to drive the enemy from a strong point. By great determination he eventually captured 250 yards of trench, after personally leading four separate parties of bombers against it, many of whom became casualties. Then after crawling forward with A sergeant to reconnoitre, he returned, attacked and seized another 120 yards of trench, establishing communication with the Battalion on his left.
Additional information: Brigadier Blackburn served in World War II, Commanding the 2/2nd machine-gun battalion, 2nd A.M.F., in 1940. He was General Officer Commanding the AMF in Java from 1941-42. His decorations include the Companion of St Michael and St George (CMG); the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE); and the Military Cross (MM).
Additional information
Brigadier Blackburn served in World War II, Commanding the 2/2nd machine-gun battalion, 2nd A.M.F., in 1940. He was General Officer Commanding the AMF in Java from 1941-42. His decorations include the Companion of St Michael and St George (CMG); the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE); and the Military Cross (MM).
Australia.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: AIF Cemetery and on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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