John Eldon's Story.
Birkenhead News 05 April 1916
STORY OF THREE ROCK FERRY BROTHERS
One Mortally Wounded
Mr. And Mrs. Blackwell of 6, Pitt Street, Rock Ferry, have received the sad intimation that their second son, Pte. John Eldon Blackwell, died of wounds received in action on March 1st. Pte Blackwell with his brother, Sergt. Alan Blackwell, enlisted in the South Wales Borderers, and was with that regiment when he was mortally wounded.
The bereaved parents have received from the Reverend W. T. Havard, Church of England Chaplain to the deceased’s Battalion the following letter :- “We were all so sorry to hear the news of your dear son’s death in hospital. He was wounded in the chest by a bullet in the British fire trenches. His brother Alan was with him immediately, and assisted the stretcher bearers to carry him to the advanced dressing station. We did not think his wounds were so serious at the time, so that the news of his death came as a great shock to us. Alan is doing very well, and is bearing up wonderfully in spite of the sadness and anguish which his brother’s death must have caused him. Immediately your late son left the regiment wounded we lost touch with him, and we knew no details until we later heard of his death. His fatal end has meant great loss and sorrow to the Battalion, and I can assure you that the sympathy of all the officers and men goes out to you in your bereavement. You will always have this satisfaction that he died nobly and bravely giving his all in the service of his Motherland and sacrificing a promising life on the altar of duty. May you find strength to carry your heavy cross of suffering and bereavement.”
Pte. Blackwell, who was only 19 years of age, was before the war in the employ of the G.W. Railway.
Mr. and Mrs. Blackwell have still another son, W Blackwell, in the Army. He is a private in the 17th Reserve of the Cheshire Regiment, he having enlisted when only 16 years old in the 16th Battalion of the Cheshire Regt. He is still in training in England. Before the war he was employed by Messrs, Cammell Laird and Co. Ltd.