229495 Gnr. Ishmael Blackwell British Army 162 Brigade, D Battery Royal Field Artillery from:Northop, Flintshire (d.11th July 1918) Ishmael Blackwell was born in Northop, Flintshire during 1898.
The 1911 Census tells us that the family resided at Top Borth Ddu, Halkyn, Flintshire. The head of the family was Joseph Blackwell aged 48, who was employed as a Lead Miner at the Halkyn Lead Mines. His wife Alice Blackwell aged 44, a dressmaker and their three sons Ishmael Blackwell aged 13, Baden Powell Blackwell aged 10 and John Blackwell aged 4 years. They also had two daughters Alice Blackwell aged 8 and Dilys May Blackwell aged 6.
During May 1917 Ishmael enlisted as a Private with the Royal Field Artillery at Wrexham Barracks.
Following the death of his elder brother Ishmael, Baden Powell Blackwell who was then aged 18 enlisted as a Stoker in the Royal Navy on 1 August 1918. He completed his training at Devonport aboard the Base Ship HMS VividII and then served as a Stoker on RMS Aquitania, which was at that time in service as a Troopship. Baden Powell was honourably discharged on 7 March 1919. He died in Flintshire on 7th June 1939, aged 39 years.
The County Herald Newspaper : Death of another local soldier: We are informed that Mrs Blackwell of Roseneath, Bagillt received information on Tuesday morning of the death of her son Private Ishmael Blackwell. The deceased was well known to a number of Bagillt, Flint and Halkyn residents and sympathy is expressed with his bereaved mother and relatives.
|