Dawlish World War One Project

Charles was deemed to be too short at 5’ and ¾” for the initial enlistments in Canada, but later ‘Bantam Regiments’ were formed and he was then deemed eligible. The enlistment papers show that he joined the 143rd (British Columbia Bantams) Battalion.

Charles Henry Blackmore is listed as 'died of wounds' and the exact circumstances are given in the newspaper report.   (See extended account in Documents below)

Charles Henry Blackmore was the grandson of James (1820-1905) and Elizabeth (1819-1886) Blackmore of 75 Clifford Street, Chudleigh, where James was a carpenter.

They had sons Walter (1848-1918) and Andrew (1864-1946), both carpenters in turn. Each had a son who is remembered on Dawlish War Memorial and they were cousins, Charles Henry Blackmore and Reginald Charles Blackmore (k.i.a. 22/9/17) who died only days apart.

Charles Henry Blackmore was boarding at 3 Exeter Road, Crediton in 1911 and he is shown as an Assistant Schoolmaster, employed by Devon County Council. He was 20. It appears that he trained as a teacher at St Luke’s College, Exeter, which had been a teacher training college since 1839.

It is stated that he emigrated to Canada later in 1911 and was followed by his sister Gladys in 1913.