Douglas Lancelot BLACKWELL [242] ⁵⁷¹

  General Notes:

Christened at St Andrews Church, Kettering.

Douglas and his brother Paul married cousins, Theadora Morgan-Dawes and Alma Rose Dawes. Douglas and Dora lived in Dandenong for a short time after their marriage, but later moved to 52 Garfield Road, Garfield to the home of Dora's parents Alfred Dawes and the Morgan sisters to look after them in their old age. They probably had at least 2 children when they returned to Garfield, D. Geoff was born in the house at Garfield so they were certainly living in Garfield by 1933. Dora inherited the house at Garfield when her father died.

According to Douglas's brothers and those that knew him, he was a very intelligent man who was very good at fixing things and working things out. One of the Weatherhead's used to say that Douglas was the cleverest person he had ever met.

In 1937 Dora was expecting her 5th child and her health was not good. Douglas and Dora decided to hire a housekeeper in the short term to assist with domestic duties. They hired Cecilia Ryan, mother of the infamous Ronald Ryan (The last man hanged in the State of Victoria). Pearl Madden recounted a story of the time when Cecilia's Husband Jack came to the house at 52 Garfield Road, Garfield and knocked on the front door asking to talk to his wife. Mrs Ryan did not want to talk to her husband, but he forced his way into the house and, armed with a bread knife, chased Cecilia around the kitchen table trying to stab her and shouting abuse. Pearl Blackwell grabbed her 2 younger brothers, Cliff and D. Geoff and run to the bedroom where the children hid under the bed until the commotion died down. I am uncertain if the police were called or if Jack Ryan simply calmed down and left. Allan Blackwell was born in 25 September 1937 and it is thought that Mrs Ryan left Garfield sometime after that time.

Douglas was blinded in one eye following a childhood accident. He was a dragline/dredge operator and during WW2 he worked for the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission and lived and worked away from home a great deal of the time. He began work at the State Rivers in approximately 1935 and was employed for 1 1/2 years as Fireman on Steam Boilers and then as Operator in charge of Caterpillar Diesel Engine Excavator. In 1939 Douglas began a correspondence course with the "International Correspondence School (A/sia) Pty Ltd. The course was on Diesel engine maintenance and repair which he continued until his death in 1942. There are many "percentage Certificate"s for this course and the lowest mark he ever obtained was 96% which was on the first paper he completed.

In October 1940 Douglas was working at Wodonga, on the Hume Weir. He joined the Federated Engine Drivers and Firemen's Association of NSW and had been a member of that Union's Victorian Branch up until 12 October 1940. His last letter to Dora from Wodonga was dated December 5 1940. In March 1941, Mr F Honeychurch of the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission at Koo-Wee-Rup wrote to Douglas offering him a position as a second Machine operator. It is assumed that Douglas took up this offer as there is a letter dated 23 December 1941 from the SR & WSC, East Melbourne, Koo-Wee-Rup branch signed by the District Officer introducing Douglas to the Captain Superintendent of Training at the Flinders Naval Depot at Crib Point (now known as Cerberus) and another letter dated 1942 from the Department of Defence, Flinders Naval Depot in the form of a Pass in and out of the depot. There is a letter from Douglas to Dora from the Flinders Naval Base is dated Jan 10th (1942). His next letter is c/- the Country Roads Board and is almost certainly sent from Fulham where he worked for a time. His letters continue to say c/- CRB until May 11th, 1942, when the heading changes back to SR&WS, and the location changes to Sale from May to September 1942. He was working on the sewerage system in the area. After the Sewerage was completed it is thought that Douglas worked on the construction of the Sale RAAF Base, as there is a Special Pass dated 6 July 1942 for the hours of 0730 -1800 hours daily for the purposes of working. It is possible that Douglas worked on this project for the entire time he was in Sale. Douglas left Sale and went to Townsville via Brisbane.

From the website Airforce.com.au establishment of RAAF Base East Sale
"The East Sale aerodrome was named after its location on the eastern side the town of Sale. In 1942, the Commonwealth selected 1,186 acres of land at East Sale for No. 1 Operational Training Unit and a mixture of facilities were constructed between 1942 and 1944. To camouflage its purpose, given its coastal location, East Sale was planned as a village scheme with dummy paths, gardens and dull painting. East Sale Aerodrome was formally established on 22 April 1943."
https://www.airforce.gov.au/about-us/history/our-journey/establishment-raaf-base-east-sale#:~:text=East%20Sale%20Aerodrome%20was%20formally,Battles%20and%20a%20Tiger%20Moth.

There are several references in Douglas's letters to Dora to Sid Black and his wife. Sid Black was a Power Shovel Driver who also worked for the State Rivers and in 1942 was living at 77 Stawell Street, Sale. Douglas sometimes stayed with Sid when he returned to Sale from home at Garfield and then went out the works camp at Sale the following day. Sid's wife sometimes forwarded Douglas's pay to Dora. It is thought Sid's wife's name was Sheila.

There is an enlistment record on the National Archives of Australia website for the Allied Works Council, Civil Construction Corps Register noting Douglas's enrolment to serve from 4 June 1942 as a Drag Line Operator. The records states that Douglas was 5 feet 6" tall and weighed 9 stone 5 lbs. It noted that he had a weak right eye and on 11 September 1942 was ex State Rivers Sale to Brisbane. Under the general remarks section it states 17/9/1942. Wire from Brisbane re destination (see file Maries) deceased see file ....eligible for 2 days service leave.

On the 3rd of September 1942 Douglas received a letter from the SR&WSC Melbourne advising that the Allied Works Council was considering sending operators from Machine No's 21 and 27 to North Queensland and asking if Douglas would be interested in travelling up to his machine. His reply is unknown, but his next letter to Dora dated September 13th is from Brisbane. He spent some time at the Allied Works Camp at Chernside in Brisbane.

He left Brisbane to travel to Townsville on the evening of 1 October 1942 and arrived in Townsville at lunchtime on the 3rd of October and were sent out to "The Black River Camp" about 12 miles out of Townsville on the 5th of October. When he arrived at the camp he decided to try to locate the machines he was supposed to be operating. He found the machines at the Main Roads Camp and was upset to find that they had any number of operators for the machines and felt that his trip to Townsville was a wasted one so he went and spoke to the Engineer. The engineer advised that he would have "them" (Douglas & Frederick Ernest Maries of Shepparton) sent back to Melbourne. Douglas's last letter to Dora from the Townsville camp was dated October 7 1942. His service number was CV26213.

Douglas was in his tent at the Bohle River Civil Construction Corps Camp on the evening of the 9th of October 1942. He and his tent mate Frederick Ernest Maries were to leave the camp to return to Melbourne on the 10th of October. At around 6pm on the 9th, a blast went off from the nearby quarry. Maries was standing at the door of the tent watching the blasting and talking to Douglas about it, and when he did not receive a response from Douglas he (Maries) turned around and saw Douglas lying on his stretcher with a wound to his head. He got help and an ambulance took Douglas to the Townsville General Hospital, but he died from his injuries at around 4.30 am on the 13th of October 1942.

The Bohle River Civil Construction Corps Camp where Douglas was staying was in close proximity to a quarry where blasting was undertaken on a regular basis. It appears that for some time there had been problems with stones from the blasting flying into the camp area and the powder monkey had reduced the charge to try to stop this happening, and discussions had also been held on moving the camp. According to the "powder monkey", Mr Arthur Hill, the camp and quarry were only about 150 yards apart as the crow flies. The powder monkey allowed 15 minutes prior to lighting the fuse and word of mouth and a whistle sounding was used as a warning of the impending blast. The police officer who attended the scene, Arthur Vincent Moylan advised that the tent in which Douglas was located was about 300 yards from No 1 quarry. The stone that was picked up near the tent was weighed and found to be 2lbs 3 ozs. This is thought to be the stone that hit Douglas in the head and caused the holes in the tent.

Dora received a telegram notifying her of Douglas's death. A second telegram was said to have been sent requesting Dora's decision as to whether Douglas's body was to be shipped back to Victoria for burial or whether he should be buried in Townsville. Dora never received this telegram and consequently the authorities buried Douglas in an unmarked grave in the Townsville cemetery. The existence of this telegram is quite uncertain, particularly in view of the fact that McKimmins Undertakers of Townsville buried Douglas at the New Cemetery in West Townsville on the 14th of October, the day after he died. Mr James Henry Joseph Kelly, the Officer in charge of personnel of the Allied Works Camp in Townsville advised that he sent at least three separate telegrams, to the Police at Garfield, the Deputy Director of Personnel in Melbourne and the Assistant Director of Personnel in Brisbane.

Ironically, all of Douglas's brothers served during WW1 and WW2 and all survived, but Douglas who was in the Civil Construction Corp was killed.

Douglas is buried in the Belgian Gardens Cemetery in Townsville. Many years later, family friends, Hector and Jessie Elliot of Pakenham travelled to Townsville and Hector constructed a concrete headstone at Douglas's grave. Douglas's wife Dora was expecting her 7th child when he died. In 1963 Theadora Fenn (Blackwell) paid the Townsville Cemetery Trust to purchase the plot at the Townsville cemetery where Douglas was buried. She paid 10 pounds for the grave number 3, allotment 387, section F, and 2 pounds 2 shillings for the permit fee. This may have been to allow the headstone to be legally constructed, although this is uncertain.

Daily Mercury (Mackay, Qld. : 1906 - 1954) Wednesday 9 December 1942 Page 2
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/170330217
CCC FATALITY
Struck By Stone
BRISBANE, Tuesday. At the Coroner's inquest into the death of Douglas Blackwell, married, of Victoria, a member of the CCC, held this after noon, the evidence revealed that deceased on October 9 was sitting in a tent during blasting operations at a quarry 250 yards away. When a companion came into the tent later he found him lying In bed with head injuries. He was taken to hospital, where he died. Police investigations revealed a rent in the fly of the tent and it was apparent deceased had been struck by a piece of blue granite metal. The death certificate showed that death was due to cerebral lacerations and compound fracture.

Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1907 - 1954) Wed 9 Dec 1942 Page 2
A coroner's inquiry was held on Tuesday afternoon before Mr. R. H. Allen, Coroner, into the cause and manner of death of Douglas Blackwell, who died at the Townsville District Hospital on 13th. October from injuries received at a Townsville district camp on October 9 during blasting operations. The evidence showed that the deceased had been sitting on the side of his bed whilst blasting operations were being carried out 250 yards away. When a companion entered the tent, he found deceased lying on the bed, with extensive head injuries, and he was conveyed to the hospital. When the police made investigations they found a rent in the fly in the centre and three or four punctured holes in the tent itself. It was apparent that the deceased had been hit by a piece of blue granite metal. Deceased was a married man, from Victoria, and was employed by the C.C.C. A certificate showed death was due to cerebral lacerations, and a compound fracture of the skull. The inquiry, conducted by Sergeant Purtell, was adjourned to a later date, owing to the inability of one witness to attend.

Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1907 - 1954) View title info Wed 23 Dec 1942 Page 2
On Tuesday afternoon Mr. R. H Allen, Coroner, concluded the inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Douglas Blackwell at the Townsville District Hospital on October 13 last. Death was due to injuries received at a camp on October 9, during blasting operations, J. J. Kelly, of the Allied Works Council, gave evidence as to having taken a statement from F. Maries, at the time of the accident. In his statement, Maries stated he, with the deceased, arrived back from town on October 9 at about 5.45 p.m. and were relaxing in their tent. About 5.50, blasting operations were in progress, about 200 yards away. He got off his bed to have a look, and then called out to Blackwell to come and have a look. One blast had blown half the limbs off a tree. Blackwell did not come. Then he heard a thud, and, looking around, he saw the deceased on his bunk, with blood pouring from his ears. First aid was quickly available and the injured man was conveyed to the hospital The witness stated Maries was not available to give evidence. This concluded the inquiry, which was declared closed.

The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954) Sat 13 Oct 1945 Page 11 Family Notices

BLACKWELL. - In sad memory of our loved husband and father, Douglas Lancelot, who died October 13. 1942.- Inserted by his loving wife and children.
BLACKWELL.- In fond, remembrance of Douglas, who passed away October 13, 1942. Sadly missed by father and Phyllis. [Blackwell]
BLACKWELL. - In loving memory of Douglas. who passed away October 13, 1942.
Always remembered by his loving brother, Eric (A.I.F.) and Lil. [Blackwell]
BLACKWELL.- in loving memory of my dear . brother, Douglas, accidentally killed (Townsville) October 13, 1942. For ever In our thoughts. - Inserted by Ethel and Bill. Murrumbeena. [Jones]
BLACKWELL. - In memory of Douglas, who passed away at Townsville October 13. 1942. - Inserted by Bob and Rita. [Blackwell]

The Dandenong Journal (Vic. : 1927 - 1954) View title info Wed 21 Oct 1942 Page 12 SPRING VALE HAPPENINGS
DISTRICT FRIENDS of Mrs. W. Jones, of Spring Vale road, sympathise deeply with her in the death of her brother, Mr. D. Blackwell, of Garfield. Deceased was on an Allied Works Council job at Townsville, when he was fatally injured during blasting operations, a large fall of rock coming down on him.

The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954) Thu 13 Oct 1949 Page 2 Family Notices
BLACKWELL. In memory of Douglas, passed away October 13, 1942, at Townsville, Qld.
- Inserted by his brother, Bob, and his friend, Rita. ^{564,574,575,576,577,578,579,580,581,582,583}

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Occupation: Dredge operator.

2. Residence: Government Road (later called Garfield Road), Cir 1931-1942, Garfield, Vic, Australia. ⁵⁸⁴

3. Burial information: Townsville cemetery grave No 3 / 387 / F, Oct 1942, Townsville, Qld, Australia.

Douglas married Theadora MORGAN DAWES [241] [MRIN: 80], daughter of Alfred Thomas DAWES [1278] and Frances Mary Ann MORGAN [1288], on 1 May 1926 in Bunyip, Vic, Australia ³²⁶.^,557 (Theadora MORGAN DAWES [241] was born on 1 Jan 1906 in Iona, Vic, Australia,^559,560 died on 21 May 1979 in Warragul, Victoria, Australia ^561,562 and was buried on 23 May 1979 in Bunyip, Vic, Australia ⁵⁶³.)