Henry Campbell Blackie, R.A.M.C.

Henry Campbell Blackie died after being discharged from his First World War service. He served/trained with the RAMC for a short period (64 days) in 1914, and was discharged as medically unfit for service without going overseas. He died in 1917 from an illness contracted or commencing on active service and does not have a CWGC commemoration although I have queried that.

Henry Campbell Blackie was born in Liverpool in 1883, the son of Archibald and Margaret Blackie, borth from Scotland. His father's occupation was bookkeeper.

Henry's father died in 1900. The 1901 census shows his widowed mother Margaret lived at 24 Woodcroft Rd, Wavertree with three of her children (including Henry) and two boarders. Henry was aged 18 and working as an insurance clerk.

The 1911 census shows Henry was working as an insurance clerk at the Royal Liver Friendly Society, he was head of the household at 143 Alderson Rd, Wavertree. Living with him were his wife Martha (they recorded that they had been married for two years and had one child) and their son Henry Pearson Blackie aged 1, also two children from Martha's previous marriage: Robert Weeks aged 8 and Richard Weeks aged 3.

It seems that Henry and Martha hadn't been completely honest on the 1911 census as they were actually married in 1914 shortly after Henry enlisted - possibly in an attempt to ensure Martha would receive a pension if he were killed.

Henry Campbell Blackie volunteered on 21st September 1914 at Liverpool. He was declared medically fit to serve and was posted to the 2nd West Lancashire Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps with the rank private and regimental number 1617.

The forms record that Henry was 31 years and 9 months old, 5 feet 8 inches tall with a chest measurement of 33.5 inches with a 3.5 inch chest expansion range. His vision and physical development were both good.

His address was recorded as 13 Truro Rd, Wavertree, Liverpool.

Henry was discharged on 21st November 1914, having served for 62 days. The reason given was 'medically unfit'. As he had not served overseas he was not entitled to any medals.

On 12th September 1917 Henry Campbell Blackie died in Upton, near Chester (probably in the hospital there). A letter included in Henry's file states that he died due to disease contracted or commencing on active service. For this reason his widow was awarded a pension for herself and 5 children under 16 commencing from 13 May 1918. There is a note in the pension files that her claim was withdrawn in 1920 because they were married after his enlistment but I believe she would still have received a portion of the money for the children.

Henry Campbell Blackie was buried in Allerton Cemetery in the family plot that held his mother. The inscription on his headstone mentions his military service, something his family must have been proud of.