31/Brigadier Arthur Seaforth Blackburn, VC, CMG, CBE

Date of birth	1892-11-25	Australia: South Australia, Woodville
Dates studied	1913	Graduated from Adelaide University with a Bachelor of Laws.
Date and unit at enlistment (ORs)	1914-08-19	Posted to A Company, 19 Battalion.
Date of embarkation	1914-10-20	Embarked aboard HMAT A11 (Ascanius).
Other	1915-04-25	Blackburn and Private Phil Robin distinguished themselves by penetrating 1800 metres inland from Anzac Cove, reaching a point further than any other Australian was to achieve in the campaign.
Date promoted	1915-04-27	Appointed Lance Corporal.
Date commissioned	1915-08-04	Appointed 2nd Lieutenant.
Date promoted	1916-02-16	Appointed Lieutenant.
Date of honour or award	1916-07-23	Awarded Victoria Cross for action at Pozières, France whilst serving with 10 Battalion, 3 Brigade, 1 Division as a Lieutenant
Date promoted	1916-08-01	Appointed Temporary Captain.
Other	1916-09-01	Evacuated sick.
Other	1916-10-04	Presented with Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace.
Date returned to Australia	1916-12	Returned to Adelaide aboard the Hospital Ship Karoola.
Date of discharge	1917-04-10
Other	1925-10-31	Entered the 43rd Battalion, CMF as a Lieutenant.
Date and unit at appointment (Officers)	1939-07-01	Appointed with rank of Lieutenant Colonel to command 18 Light Horse (Machine Gun) Regiment.
Other	1941-06	Formed and commanded the 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion, AIF, and led the unit in campaigns in Syria.
Date promoted	1942	Appointed Brigadier and commanded Blackforce.
Date captured	1942-03-12	Captured by the Japanese in Java when Blackforce surrendered.
Other	1942-12	Sent to Singapore as POW, later held in Moji, Japan, Pusan, Korrea and Mukden, Manchuria.
Date returned to Australia	1945-09	Arrived in Adelaide.
Date of honour or award	1946-11	Created a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his gallant and distinguished service in Java.
Date of honour or award	1954	Created a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George.
Date of death	1960-11-24

Served with 2/3 Machine Gun Battalion and later commanded forces in Singapore and Changi camp following official surrender to Japanese forces in Second World War.