Unit: 8th Battalion
Promotion date: 20 February 1916

Unit: 8th Battalion
Promotion date: 27 July 1916

'Splendid courage and coolness at Pozieres.'
Recommendation date: 9 September 1916

'Cheerful manner, coolness and fine leadership through attack on Polygon Wood, 20 September 1917, setting fine example and enabling valuable work to be done by his Company.'
Recommendation date: 27 September 1917

Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette', second Supplement, No. 29890 (2 January 1917); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 103 (29 June 1917).

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in an attack. He showed great dash and determination in attacking a strong point which was holding up the advance of his company and with a few men captured the position and took 42 prisoners and two machine guns. He did excellent work in selecting positions for Lewis guns which covered the consolidation. His cheerfulness and courage inspired his men and confidence.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 110
Date: 25 July 1918

Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 133
Date: 21 August 1917

Regimental number	523
Date of birth	--/08/1888
Place of birth	Stawell, Victoria
Religion	Methodist
Occupation	Grocer
Address	Wakeham Street, Stawell, Victoria
Marital status	Single
Age at embarkation	26
Next of kin	Father, George Blackman, Wakeham Street, Stawell, Victoria
Enlistment date	18 August 1914
Rank on enlistment	Lance Corporal
Unit name	8th Battalion, E Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number	23/25/1
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board Transport A24 Benalla on 19 October 1914
Regimental number from Nominal Roll	Commissioned
Rank from Nominal Roll	Captain
Unit from Nominal Roll	8th Battalion
Promotions	2nd Lieutenant Unit: 8th Battalion Promotion date: 20 February 1916 Lieutenant Unit: 8th Battalion Promotion date: 27 July 1916
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)	Military Cross 'Splendid courage and coolness at Pozieres.' Recommendation date: 9 September 1916 Military Cross 'Cheerful manner, coolness and fine leadership through attack on Polygon Wood, 20 September 1917, setting fine example and enabling valuable work to be done by his Company.' Recommendation date: 27 September 1917 Mention in Despatches Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette', second Supplement, No. 29890 (2 January 1917); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 103 (29 June 1917).
Fate	Returned to Australia 14 January 1919
Medals	Military Cross 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in an attack. He showed great dash and determination in attacking a strong point which was holding up the advance of his company and with a few men captured the position and took 42 prisoners and two machine guns. He did excellent work in selecting positions for Lewis guns which covered the consolidation. His cheerfulness and courage inspired his men and confidence.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 110 Date: 25 July 1918 Silver Medal for Bravery (Montenegro) Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 133 Date: 21 August 1917
Family/military connections	Cousins: 3234 Pte Leslie Crompton BLACKMAN, 5th Bn, killed in action, Ploegsteert, Belgium, 29 June 1916; Captain Lyle Aubrey BLACKMAN, MC, 8th Bn, returned to Australia; 475 Pte James NEELY, 24th Bn, killed in action, 29 July 1916; 1593 Pte John NEELY, 7th Bn, killed in action, 8-9 August 1915; Captain FC SALE, MC, 21st Bn, returned to Australia.
Other details	War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Medals: Military Cross, Silver Medal for Bravery, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death	24 April 1975
Age at death	86
Place of burial	Ararat Cemetery, Victoria

John Reginald BLACKMAN