Charles Robert Blackett - Died 25 April 1915
Sunday 25 April 1915
Rank : Second LieutenantNumber: UnknownRegiment: 2nd Battalion King's Shropshire Light InfantryBorn: 1895Died: 25th April 1915Age: 20Cause of Death: Killed in ActionPlace of Commemoration: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, BelgiumCommemorated at Hereford Cathedral School, Hereford Cathedral, the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres and Brasenose College, Oxford.Son of the Rev. and Mrs. W.R. Blackett, of Smethcote Rectory, Nr. Shrewsbury.Blackett took part in every aspect of school life. This is clear from his ‘Valete’ in the December, 1913 edition of The Herefordian: C. R. Blackett, Captain of School; 1st XI. Football Cap, 1912; Captain of Football, 1912; 2nd XI. cricket Colours, 1912-13; School Crew (bow), 1913; Victor Luorum, 1913; Col.-Sergeant in O.T.C.; Editor of Herefordian; MonitorPast editions of The Herefordian particularly mention his sporting ability: ‘Cricket Character’C.R. Blackett. – When on his day, hits well and hard, but must try to time balls better. Would do better to watch the balls more; as it is, he rather has a tendency to hit out at everything, and pull round to leg. A keen and energetic field. Will be useful next year. The Herefordian December, 1912 C.R. Blackett. – Was the “slogger” of the XI., and should stick to it. Played three or four good innings, but failed to come up to his fielding form last year. The Herefordian December, 1913‘Football Character’C.R. Blackett (Centre Half).- A very energetic Captain with a great capacity for hard work. During his captaincy the “Sixes,” after ten years, have been revived. Has improved very much, and on the whole turned out a very satisfactory half-back. [T.M.F.R.] [colours 1912] The Herefordian April, 1913‘Rowing Character’C.R. Blackett (bow), 10st. 6lbs. – Has developed into a neat bow. His beginning and time are good, but his finish is decidedly weak, and he must learn to stiffen his back and finish more firmly. The Herefordian April, 1913Sports DayWednesday April 2nd 1912, Sports Day C.R. Blackett won the Victor Ludorum Cup with 12 points, T. M. Ragg being second with 7 points.Mrs. Ragg gave away the prizes, this being her last public act in an “official” capacity. She also most liberally duplicated the handsome cup given by Mr. Henson for the quarter-mile race, which resulted in a dead heat between Blackett and Hemingway. The Herefordian July, 1913The Herefordian also mentions Blackett’s contribution to debating:The House met on Oct. 29th, and the motion was “That the execution of Charles I. was demanded by the best interests of the country”[…] Mr. C.R. Blackett, who spoke fourth, held that Charles was a Christian martyr, that the Puritans were self-seeking. He made a useful if somewhat sentimental speech.[…] The motion was then put to the vote and was lost by a majority of 15 votes. The Herefordian December, 1910After leaving Hereford Cathedral School, Blackett studied at Brasenose College, Oxford. The April, 1913 edition of The Herefordian showed how the school congratulated him for the achievenment: ‘Our heartiest congratulations go to C.R. Blackett, who gained the Brasenose Oxon. Scholarship.’‘Oxford Letters’ in The Herefordian, written to provide news of former pupils at Oxford, give an insight Blackett’s life there; cut short by the war:April, 1913The Dons also showed a return to sanity by electing C.R. Blackett, of Hereford School, to the Somerset Thornhill Scholarship. Congratulations to the victim; he ought to make a “capital cure” if he resists the temptation to become a pseudo-nut – one of those who grin like dogs and run about the streets in riding costume though they do not ride. Oxford is inundated with these strange creatures.December, 1913 C.R. Blackett (B.N.C., 1st year) will row in Toggers next term. He has also played soccer for B.N.C. 1st on several occasions. He has joined the cavalry, and does not work at all, spending his time entirely on Bridge and suchlike childish amusements. April, 1914 C. R. Blackett (B.N.C, 1st year).—Rise at 11; no bath; breakfast, 11.5; lecture, 11.10; smoke cigarettes and think about things in general, 12—1; heavy lunch (including salmon cutlets and stout), stroll down “ High,” 2—5; tea, 5—7; wash and brush up, 7—7-30; hall, stroll down “Corn,” 8—9; Bridge, 9—11-30 “Bacchal” for collection tomorrow, 11-30 —2-30; bed. Distinctions: rowed “5” in 2nd Logger, which kept its place. During training his manner of life became leas civilized but more ordinary. Passed “Divvers.”The final record of Blackett in Oxford is in the Oxford University Roll of Service, edited by E.S. Craig, Assistant Registrar of the University, and W.M. Gibson, (Oxford, Clarendon Press 1920) It gives his year of matriculation as 1913 and simply reads: 1913 Blackett,* C. R. (Aug. 15, 1914). 2nd Lt. 2nd Shropshire L.I. France, Belgium. Missing, believed killed in action at Zonnebeke on April 26, 1915The December, 1916 edition of The Herefordian included his obituary:Sec. Lieut. C. R. Blackett (1906—13)Sec.-Lieut. C. R. Blackett, of the K.S.L.I, was one of the first Old Herefordians to fall. He joined on the outbreak of war and was soon out in France. At first he was reported “Missing, believed killed,” but later be was officially reported killed. From an eye witness, he was seen to fall wounded into a German trench. This was the last that was seen of him. At School he was successful in every line of sport. He was Captain of Football in 1912, a member of Cricket Eleven, 1913, also bow in the School Crew of 1913, when the School were victorious in both races. He was also Captain of School, 1913, and presented the late Headmaster with the rose bowl on the latter’s retirement. On leaving School he went to “Brazenose”, Oxford.