208238 Sgt. Thomas Edward Blacklock MM.British Army 9th Battalion Border Regiment from:Lamplugh Thomas Edward Blacklock, born 3rd Nov 1894, was my father, he was known as Ted. He signed up in 1914 at a recruiting meeting held in the Lamplugh Murton Assembly Rooms with seven other former pupils of Lamplugh Parochial School all volunteering for military service. He was aged 19. The recruits were motored to Whitehaven for a medical examination by Mr George Dickinson, Red How Lamplugh. Ater passing the examination Ted was assigned into the 9th Borders as a private. After training he crossed over to France along with many other Cumbrian 'Lads'. He spoke very little about his life in France putting me off by saying I really did not want to know what 'it' was like. [I did!] I found some information when I discovered papers and letters that had been kept by my grandmother. One stated
"Regret to inform you that on 12th Oct 1915 Thos. Ed. Blacklock 9/14980 is in an isolation hospital at Etables, France suffering 'Enteric (severe)'" and in November 1915 another states he was admitted to the Royal Herbert Hospital Woolwich suffering from 'not known'â€. He also suffered from lupus and had facial disfigurement which remained with him for the rest of his life. After recovery he returned to the 29th Division, Border Regiment but to a different unit. He was unable to join his former border comrades as they had by then moved to another theatre of war.
By April 1918 he was still serving in the 29th Division but had been sent to join the 1st Battalion of the Border Regt. It was then that he became engaged in the Battle of the Lys near Vieux Bequin. I understand in this Battle he helped to capture a German gun which can now be seen in the Border Regimental Museum in Carlisle Castle. For brave actions his commanding officer Capt. A/Lt Col J Forbes-Robertson was awarded the Victoria Cross and my father, now Sgt. Thomas E. Blacklock No.14980 was awarded the Military Medal.
I have in my possession some letters sent home to his parents which tell and refer to some of the above information and about conditions and life etc. I have used these to discover some of the above story.
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