BLACKFORD Hubert Geoffrey

The birth of Hubert Geoffrey Blackford is registered in the March Quarter 1897 under the Worcester Registration District.

1911 Census
11 Broad St., Worcester
Hubert Geoffrey Blackford, age 14, Clerk (Brewers?)
With parents Thomas (Draper); Emily Blackford; 6 siblings aged 1-19; and domestic servant

Awarded Victory and British War Medals.

Berrow’s Worcester Journal, 12th May 1917:
Worcester Tradesman’s Son Killed
Mr and Mrs T.E. Blackford, of Broad Street, Worcester, have received news that their third son, Driver Hubert Godfrey Blackford, of the Royal Field Artillery, has died from wounds received in action.

Mr Blackford first received a letter from a chum of Driver Blackford stating that on the last day of April he was seriously wounded, about 5pm, and died on the way to the dressing station. He was signalling, and was at his post at a gun position, when a shell exploded on the dug-out, and completely destroyed it, seriously sounding a sergeant and another signaller as well as Driver Blackford. His chum adds, “I feel I have lost a true chum, who I shall miss very much. He was very much respected by all ranks in the battery, and was always ready to give a helping hand to any of his fellow men.”

The Chaplain of the Brigade, writing to express sympathy, says: “It will always be a comfort to you to know it is boys like him, who have given all, who have saved England. The sacrifice is great, but not in vain. Some of his comrades and I laid him to rest yesterday (May 1st) in a little military cemetery, and his officer is having a special cross made.

Driver Blackford, who was 20 in February, was at Messers Dent, Allcroft & Co.’s glove works before joining the Artillery, and finished his apprenticeship at the firm’s London house. He joined the Army in 1915, and went out to France in May last. He came home for ten days leave on January 28th, and on his return met his brother Harry, who is also in the Artillery, in a French village. Another son of Mr Blackford’s, Arthur, is in the Motor Transport Service.

A photograph of Driver H.G. Blackford of Worcester can be found in Berrow’s Worcester Journal Supplement, Saturday 12th May 1917, available at Worcestershire Archives.