Brigadier Arthur Seaforth Blackburn

image: J03069 image: J03069
Photograph J03069
Service number 31, SX6962
Ranks Held Brigadier, Lieutenant, Private, Second Lieutenant
Birth Date 25/11/1892
Birth Place Australia: South Australia, Woodville
Death Date 24/11/1960
Death Place Australia: South Australia, Adelaide
Final Rank Brigadier
Service Australian Imperial Force
Units
  • 10th Australian Infantry Battalion
  • 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion
Places
Conflicts/Operations
  • First World War, 1914-1918
  • Second World War, 1939-1945
Description

Arthur Blackburn, a lawyer, became the first South Australian to receive the Victoria Cross. At the 1915 landing on Gallipoli, it is believed that he and another man penetrated further inland than anyone else.

At Pozières, France, Blackburn led an attack that captured nearly 400 metres of trench. His commanding officer said that "matters looked anything but cheerful ... but [he] lost neither his heart nor his head". He was invalided to Australia the following year.

During the Second World War Blackburn led the 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion in Syria. In 1942 the battalion was rushed to Java, where Blackburn was promoted to command "Black Force". Forced to surrender, he was held as a prisoner of war until 1945. Active in military, legal, and community affairs, he was created a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1946, and Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in 1955.

Blackburn was awarded the Victoria Cross, service medals for the two world wars, the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal, and long service and coronation medals for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II. His honours include the CBE and CMG.

Collection items

    Media


    VICTORIA CROSS WINNERS FROM THE BOER WAR AND WORLD WAR 1 WHO GATHERED TO MARCH IN THE SYDNEY ...

    HOLLYWOOD, WA. 1943-11-08. HOSPITAL DISCHARGE PARADE AT THE 110TH AUSTRALIAN MILITARY HOSPITAL; ...

    A BLACKBURN "SHARK" TORPEDO-BOMBER-RECONNAISSANCE SEAPLANE FLYING OVER UNITS OF THE ROYAL NAVY, ...

    MELBOURNE, VIC. 1945-09-18. BRIGADIER A. S. BLACKBURN, VC, WHO COMMANDED AUSTRALIAN TROOPS IN ...

    MELBOURNE, VIC. 1945-09-18. BRIGADIER A. S. BLACKBURN, VC, WHO COMMANDED AUSTRALIAN TROOPS IN ...

Rolls

Timeline

Date of birth 25/11/1892
Dates studied 1913 Graduated from Adelaide University with a Bachelor of Laws.
Date and unit at enlistment (ORs) 19/08/1914 Posted to A Company, 19 Battalion.
Date of embarkation 20/10/1914 Embarked aboard HMAT A11 (Ascanius).
Date of enlistment 19/08/1914
Date commissioned 04/08/1915 Appointed 2nd Lieutenant.
Date promoted 27/04/1915 Appointed Lance Corporal.
Other 25/04/1915 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 returned to Australia 16/10/1916
Other 01/09/1916 Evacuated sick.
Date of honour or award 23/07/1916 Awarded Victoria Cross for action at Pozieres, France whilst serving with 10 Battalion, 3 Brigade, 1 Division as a Lieutenant
Other 04/10/1916 Presented with Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace.
Date promoted 01/08/1916 Appointed Temporary Captain.
Date returned to Australia 12/1916 Returned to Adelaide aboard the Hospital Ship Karoola.
Date of recommendation honour or award 29/07/1916
Date promoted 16/02/1916 Appointed Lieutenant.
Date of discharge 10/04/1917
Other 31/10/1925 Entered the 43rd Battalion, CMF as a Lieutenant.
Date and unit at appointment (Officers) 01/07/1939 Appointed with rank of Lieutenant Colonel to command 18 Light Horse (Machine Gun) Regiment.
Other 06/1941 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.
Other 12/1942 Sent to Singapore as POW, later held in Moji, Japan, Pusan, Korrea and Mukden, Manchuria.
Date captured 12/03/1942 Captured by the Japanese in Java when Blackforce surrendered.
Date returned to Australia 09/1945 Arrived in Adelaide.
Date of honour or award 11/1946 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 24/11/1960

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