Source: Per news clipping post by David Archer at 18th Battalion Facebook Page (not group).
Family Search: Private Albert Blackburn was born on 28 September 1895, in Leeds, Kent, England, United Kingdom as the son of Joseph Blackburn and Martha Rogers. He had at least 1 daughter with Jean Thompson Arthur. He immigrated to Canada in 1913 and lived in Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, Yorkshire East Riding, England, United Kingdom in 1901 and Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1931. He registered for military service in 1915. In 1921, his occupation is listed as fire figther, toronto fire department in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He died on 21 September 1976, in Etobicoke Township, York, Ontario, Canada, at the age of 80, and was buried in Pine Hills Cemetery, Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Military Medal per London Gazette. No. 30573. March 13, 1918.
| Name | Rank | Number | Unit | Honour or Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLACKBURN A. | Pte. | 412663 | Western Ontario Regt. 18th. Bttn. | MILITARY MEDAL |
Below the main table:
- Authority: R.O.1506 Watson.
- Date: 30-12-17
- Other Awards: L.G. 30573.
- Authority:
- Date: 13-3-18.
Details section (Military Medal):
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in front of PASSCHENDAELE Nov; 9th and three following days. During the four days tour and particularly on Nov: 10th when an attack was in progress on the left flank Pte BLACKBURN displayed great courage persistency in carrying messages to the front line coys. All roads and paths were heavily barraged by artillery and machine gun fire and although three accompanying runners became casualties Pte BLACKBURN by his persistent courage was able to maintain communication throughout the day. (A.F.W. 3121. 19-11-17)
Stamps and handwritten notes:
- Top left: R. 149 – 4M. 6084-19-12-17.
- Top center: Can R 9-1-19
- Under “Honour or Award”: Mentioned in Despatches. Authority. Date.
- Purple stamp under “Rank”: MEDAL LEDGER FOLIOS 207
- Purple stamp under “Number”: (RECEIPT) 4928
- Bottom: (SEE CONTINUED ON BACK OF CARD IF NECESSARY.)
Blackie Blackburn retired firefighter
A funeral was to be held today for Albert (Blackie) Blackburn, a retired Toronto Fire Department captain who died Tuesday in Riverdale Hospital after a long illness. He was 78.
Born in England, he came to Toronto as a boy. When World War I started in 1914 he joined the 18th battalion of the Canadian Army as a runner. He saw action in France and was wounded in the legs.
He joined the fire department in 1921 and retired in 1956 after 35 years. He was the first president of the Toronto Fire Fighters War Veterans Association.
For three years during World War II he was a member of the Toronto contingent of firemen who went to England to fight fires caused by bombing raids.
Blackburn was a member of the Baron Byng Canadian Legion branch, a Mason and a Shriner. For many years he worked with teenagers at the East Riverdale Club.
He leaves his second wife, Emily, daughter, Olive Stevens, of Oakville and two grandchildren. His first wife, Jean Arthur, predeceased him.
Image 2: Death Notice / Classified Announcement
BLACKBURN, Albert (Blackie). Retired captain of Toronto Fire Department; member of Baron Byng Legion Branch No. 1.—At the Riverdale Hospital on Tuesday, September 21, 1976, Albert (Blackie) Blackburn, beloved husband of Emily Smith and the late Jean Arthur, dear father of Mrs. Olive Stevens, of Oakville and grandfather of Janice and Mark. Resting at the “Gerrard Chapel” of the Ingram Funeral Home, 1055 Gerrard St. E. (at Jones Ave.) from Wednesday at 1 p.m. until Thursday for service at 11 a.m. Interment Pine Hills Cemetery.
The Toronto Star Thu, Sep 23, 1976 ·Page 6
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 