Memorial Walk CBD Secondary teacher resource.pdf
Memorial Walk CBD Secondary teacher resource.pdf
Memorial Walk CBD Secondary teacher resource.pdf
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Background Information<br />
Time to allow: 30 to 60 minutes.<br />
9 BLACKBURN HOUSE<br />
Arthur Blackburn was born on 25 November 1892 at Woodville. He was educated at Pulteney<br />
Grammar, the Collegiate school of St Peter (St Peter’s College) and Adelaide University. He<br />
graduated as a lawyer in 1913.<br />
On 19 August 1914 he enlisted in the AIF. He landed at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 and with<br />
Private Phil Robin penetrated the furthest point inland of any Australian soldier, around 1800<br />
metres inland from Anzac Cove.<br />
On 26 February 1916 he was promoted to lieutenant and later embarked to France. At<br />
Pozieres in France on 23 July 1916 he personally led four bombing parties on an enemy<br />
strong point which they destroyed and as a result captured about 350 metres of trench. For his<br />
bravery at Pozieres he received the Victoria Cross which was invested by King George at<br />
Buckingham Palace on 4 October 1916.<br />
During the Second World War he commanded the 2/3 rd Machine Gun Company during the<br />
Syrian campaign. He accepted the surrender of the Vichy French forces at Damascus on 21<br />
June 1941.<br />
In February 1942 his unit landed at Java in Indonesia. After three weeks of resistance, allied<br />
forces were forced to surrender and Captain Blackburn was taken prisoner by the Japanese.<br />
He was imprisoned in Singapore, Japan, Korea and Manchuria, where he was liberated in<br />
September 1945.<br />
Between the wars and after World War II Arthur Blackburn held many senior legal, political<br />
and RSL positions. He also received a number of honours including the CMG (Companion of<br />
the Order of St Michael and St George) in 1955.<br />
He died at Crafers on 24 November 1960. He was buried with full military honours in West<br />
Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide.<br />
Blackburn House is named in his honour.<br />
Student questions<br />
(1) Where in Adelaide did Blackburn receive his education? What was his profession<br />
before joining the AIF (Australian Imperial Force) in 1914?<br />
He was educated at Pulteney Grammar, the Collegiate school of St Peter (St Peter’s College)<br />
and Adelaide University. He was a lawyer.<br />
21
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