WW1 Letter From the Front - Sapper Frederick Blackburn

I have a group on Facebook named Milnrow & Newhey Now & Then, a post was made on their recently by Steph Griffin regarding a letter sent by her Great Grandad during World War One, so I thought I would do a similar post regarding one of my relatives.

My great uncle, Frederick Blackburn was born in 1881 in Pendleton, he married Eleanor Hendrickson Walter in 1906. 

The 1911 census tells us that he and Eleanor lived at 5 New Foster Street, they had been married 4 years and had no children, Frederick was employed as a slater.

As the spectre of war loomed Frederick joined the Royal Engineers, more specifically the 431st Field Company which formed part of the 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division.

Sadly Fredericks service records haven't survived so we don't know when he joined up, or the actions in which he fought.

What we do have though is a letter he wrote to Eleanor, dated Friday 6/7/1917.

Letter Written By Frederick Blackburn

The letter reads;

Dear Eleanor,

Your letter dated 1/7/17 received today, parcel to Maud Thursday the 5th, many thanks for sauce. I am not at all surprised at Will being fed up. I knew the work would be too heavy for him. I hope he is successful in getting his discharge, how would he like my job, we are making some gun pits, preparing for a big advance and Fritz has been sending shells at us at the rate of 10 to the minute, and we have no cover, we just take pot luck, we do a few acrobatic feats at times because we have to do.

But I must tell you it is absolute murder here, we have lost a few men and horses and consider ourselves very lucky up to now, I shall be glad to get back in the trenches, we do get a chance of a smoke and a bit of fodder, all the same I shall remember Belgium without a doubt.

I should just like to say if I dare, well I can honestly say I thank god or his protection and I hope he gives you the same protection, as I know there is many pitfalls at home more dangerous than shells, well I hope the day is not far off when you will greet me home, to have a new life of peace and happiness, I always think of you and in spare moments open my pocket book and look at your photo and I find it a great (unintelligible) to know that I am out here doing my bit for someone who really cares for me, so cheer up and be of good spirits and think of me when you get down in the dumps, and I know your (unintelligible) feeling will disappear.

Wel I must now close, leaving you in Gods care. hoping you keep in good health as it leaves me at present.

Good night and god bless you.

Your loving hubby

FB

xxxxxxx

Frederick was injured during fierce shelling and was taken to the 91st Field Ambulance, he died from his wounds on July 26th 1917 - just over 3 weeks after writing his letter to his beloved wife back home in Blighty, he was 36 years old. 

Frederick was laid to rest in Coxyde Military Cemetery, Belgium, his grave, like millions of others is marked with a commonwealth war graves commission headstone.

Families had the option of having a footnote inscribed on the headstone, Fredericks' carries the following;

"THE DEARLY BELOVED HUSBAND OF ELEANOR H BLACKBURN, LIFES GOLDEN DREAM IS OVER"