1821 Info11f3 for Walter John Thomas Blackman (Tom) |
Introduction - a timeline
After the Battle of Polygon Wood, on 26 September 1917, Tom was admitted to Central Training School, Havre; the general Base Depot for all five Australian Divisions. Two weeks later, on 17 October 1917, he was transferred to 2nd General Hospital, [Le] Harve as a patient N[ot] Y[et] D[iagnosed] 1. Tom’s service record for 28 October 1917 records Embarked for Eng: [HMAT A69] “Warilda” 2nd Lt Adm. 4th Lon Gen Hosp P.U.O. 2 This was the beginning of his treatment for shell-shock
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There are two locations given for 2nd General Hospital: in early December 1914
they took over Palais des Régates and then over Gare Maritime on Quai d’Escale
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circled. Left: A pre-war map of Le Harve showing the location of 2nd General Hospital Source: Long Long Trail Click on the map to open a scalable pdf map in a new window |
Hoverbox Photo Gallery - 2nd General Hospital le Havre
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| 1 The Palais des Régates, next to the sea in the Sainte Adresse area of Le Havre | 2 Ward 4 of No 2 General Hospital on the Quai D'Escale after the armistice AWM H11833 |
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In February 1915, Charles Myres, 3 4 a psychologist who wrote the first paper on shell-shock in 1915, put a psychiatric facility closer to the front line at Le Touquet. In December 1916, Myres was authorised to establish four specialist units for acute or mild cases of shell-shock, whilst chronic and severe cases were sent to London. 4 Was there a Meyres’ unit at the large Le Havre base to diagnose Tom as a chronic or severe case to be sent to London?
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On 27 October 1916, Tom was transferred from Le Havre to England on the hospital
ship Warilda classified as a casualty with PUO, which figures prominently in
Tom's immediate future.
Left: HMHS Warilda having been camouflaged in 1917 AWM A02847 On 3 August 1918 Warilda was torpedoed and sunk off Le Havre with the loss of 125 lives. |
End notes
Treatment in the Fourth London Territorial General Hospital and Maudsley Wing
By 1916, the ambulance trains of World War 1 were sophisticated but slow means of transporting casualties to base hospitals on the coast of France or on to England. Each of these ‘khaki’ ambulance trains, as opposed to the more primitive French ‘green’ trains, was a community on wheels staffed by experienced nurses and orderlies, a team for each self-sufficient carriage. Generally, casualties were well cared for.
Often attached to the rear were supplementary unmarked grey carriages, looking like supply wagons, solely for the use of mental cases who had to be kept in confinement.
On arrival in London the ambulance train casualties became the responsibility of the London Ambulance Column who, nightly, ferried the wounded to the many London hospitals. Casualties from the grey-wagons were unloaded, once the rest of the train had been emptied and the crowds had gone home, into a fleet of unmarked grey ambulances parked down a side road. 1
Was this Tom’s experience on his journey from Harve to the 4th London?
On 28 October 1917, Tom was fortunate in being an officer who was transferred to the Maudsley Ward of the Fourth London Territorial General Hospital.
| At the beginning of the War, the National Hospital for the Paralysed and
Epileptic, 2 known as Queens Square, had gained an international
reputation for the treatment of neurological disorders including shell-shock. The new
Maudsley Memorial Wing was formed in the Fourth London Territorial General Hospital
which was located in the newly completed Kings College Hospital, 3 The
Maudsley had 400 specialist beds in neurology for psychiatric casualties. 4
Right: Kings College Hospital Wellcome Collection M0003165 (CC BY 4.0) |
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Left: Major later Col. Sir Frederick Walker Mott 1917 (National
Portrait Gallery)
The prevailing theory was, if not physically unfit soldiers were mental cases and cowards. 5 Treatment was a lottery. It varied from cutting edge psychiatry to quackery and neglect, punishment and a firing squad. The Government attitude changed from treatment to containment, and punishment, the classification of desertion and court martial. Though hospital treatment may have seemed severe, it was less severe than the tough military stance on shell-shock. After the Somme there were many patients who could not be categorised into casualties. However, soldiers could only enter treatment with profound physical symptoms associated with explosions known as 'commotional' shock. In January 1916, Major Frederick Walker Mott established the Maudsley Receiving Centre for chronic cases of shell-shock coming from France. The Maudsley took ‘all unwounded cases suffering from neurasthenia 6, functional paralysis, hysteria and the milder psychoses’. 7 |
Mott gathered hard, scientific evidence that physically fit, well trained and well lead soldiers who were exposed to horrendous events would break down. He began to lift the blanket of shame and stigma of shell-shock by researching treatments: continuous warm baths for muscle relaxation and sleep induction; improved nourishment; pain relief; quiet rest; simple games and light occupation. His use of pioneering occupational and talking treatment with pastoral care and rehabilitation: now the basis for modern psychiatry. 8 However, the advances made by Mott were not being replicated throughout the country. 9
Despite there being no surviving Maudsley case records, Tom was lucky to come under Mott's care. However, Mott's treatment was unsuccessful.
End notes
Latchmere House for 'insane' officers
| Tom was transferred to Latchmere House 1 on 29 January 1918. During
World War 1, Latchmere House, a Victorian mansion, was taken over by Lord Knutsford's
committee and opened in November 1915 as a Special Hospital for (Army) Officers. An
order was issued that insane officers should be sent to Latchmere. 2
Until additional accommodation was built in 1917, admissions were limited to 51 beds.
By the end of the war some 95 psychotic officers had been treated at Latchmere
3. This limited number suggests the severity of Tom’s case.
Right: Latchmere House from Latchmere Lane |
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Tom's Latchmere House assessment record the first details of his injuries. It summarises thirteen months of treatment, prior to repatriation in March 1919, and records:
Patient behaved strangely while in France & was sent to England & admitted to Maudsley Ward, 4th London General Hospital for observation & transferred thence to Latchmere House 29.1.18 where he has been since in an insane state. This was attributed to the strain and stress of service. He had a nervous breakdown when 21 years old and prior to enlistment from which he recovered. 5
It records the important predisposition and relevant nervous breakdown in 1909 at the age of 21, whilst at Mt Hooghly or Leneva Schools. Tom’s present condition was described as:
He is mute, refuses food, has been tube fed for 1 year absolutely refusing food. Will occasionally take food from ladies who have visited him. He will sometimes speak to them. He is delusional. He is insane 4. [My emphasis] He vigorously resists tube feeding. 5
He was assessed as having a permanent disability making him unfit for further military service and was recommended for close attention & observation in a Mental Hospital with the constant attention of another person.
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| Above: A composite image of Tom Blackman's Latchmere House medical |
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On 28 February 1919, Tom embarked on HMHS Karoa, identified as a mental
patient, 6 for repatriation to Melbourne, Australia arriving 08 May 1919.
Left: HMHS Karoa 1915 |
End notes
Care in Ballarat and Melbourne - a timeline
An assessment at the Military Mental Hospital, Royal Park, Melbourne
On 22 August 1919, Tom was assessed at the Military Mental Hospital, Royal Park. 1 This was a short stay assessment and confinement before being discharged on 26 August 1919.
Hoverbox Photo Gallery - Locating Royal Park Hospital, Melbourne
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| 1 Royal Park Mental Hospital buildings Source: Victoria Heritage Database |
2 Map locating the now demolished Royal Park Mental Hospital 2019 |
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Hoverbox Photo Gallery - Royal Park Mental Hospital 2012
not necessarily 1919 era
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| 1 West wing | 2 North wing |
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Tom’s assessment at Royal Park on 22 August 1919 concluded that his disorder resulted from Active Service in France. This is relevant to later claims made on the Government for Death Duties. The report describes in more detail the cause of his injury and his present state at Royal Park:
Buried by a shell explosion. Nearly smothered, and not found for some time. Dazed and confused afterwards. Is now quiet, reticent, apparently in a "dream" state from which he rouses himself when spoken to. Has a dull expression and a vacant look although he replies readily to all questions. Never occupies or amuses himself. Caused by shell shock, acting on a constitution predisposed to psychosis on active service. 2 He is dreamy to a pathological degree, anergic 3 and mildly demented. 4
[At the time of the assessment Tom wa] dull, anergic, incapable of taking an interest in his case or his environment; indisposed to initiate conversation, even to the extent of a remark or a comment. The Board attributed these conditions to Emotional shock, acting on a predisposed nervous temperament. He was to be discharged as permanently unfit, unable to earn his living and requiring further Treatment in a suitable Institution; being recommended for General treatment; isolation and observation. 4
The document was signed by W. Ernest Jones Lt.Col. President 5: the man behind the Melbourne Lunacy reforms and principles of the Mont Park Hospital for the Insane. He was another major reformer in Tom's treatment of shell-shock, 'lunacy' and the ' insane'. Tom was discharged from Royal Park on 26 August 1919.
In reference to your 19/8869 of 9th September, regarding Lieut Blackman, this Department is advised by its Medical experts in Mental diseases that whilst the recovery of Lieut Blackman is of course not impossible, yet it is improbable at any rate for a very long time. Hence he is certified by this Department as incurable. Would you please take the necessary action for the treatment of this officer after discharge. 6
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| Above: A composite image of Tom's Royal Park medical report 4 |
This diagnosis, confirming the findings of 4th Territorial and Latchmere House certified Tom's future in the care of the Repatriation Board and its State and Commonwealth successors through to his death .
End notes
Care after discharge from Royal Park
Tom was discharged to 12 Baird Street Ballarat, into the care of his parents and the local Ballarat Repatriation Department. On 13 October 1919, Dr Walter Barker, its medical consultant, visited Tom and reported:
| He was clean, neat and recently shaved, and his
mother states that he is able to look after himself perfectly in such respects, and
to dress unaided. He set his lips firmly and no persuasion on my part would induce
him to speak, or to express in any way his consciousness that he was being addressed.
His mother believes he is silent because he is
unable to remember the words he requires, and on the few occasion he has spoken since
his return, he has seemed to find this difficulty (sic) but on the other hand he has
welcomed his sister and spoken appropriately to the occasion. … I would suggest his
return to Mont Park for observation and special treatment.
1 Right: Copy of the Ballarat report |
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Left: Tom Blackman with William Blackman at an unknown date,
perhaps 1919. Tom is in uniform so he may not have been discharged and he is wearing
his 'Pip', 'Squeak' and 'Wilfred' medal ribbon. His medals
were not dispatched to Baird Street until circa 1921.
On 13 October 1919 the Ballarat Local Repatriation Medical Officer, Col. C.H.Wm. Hardy, recommended that Tom be escorted to Mont Park. The authorisation to be admitted to No. 16 Australian General Hospital (AGH), Mont Park was written on 19 November 1919. By the 28 November 1919 he had not reported. On 23 December 1919, in a letter to the Master of Lunacy, Lt. Col. Dr. Ernest Jones, it was stated that Tom was too ill to travel to Melbourne and was placed in the Ballarat Receiving Home. Tom was a certified patient under the Mental Treatment Act with the Repatriation Department accepting the responsibility for his maintenance at 6/- (six shillings) a day. However, on 19 February 1920 Corporal J Antcliff was issued an 8/3 (8 shillings and 3 pence) return rail warrant to escort Tom to Melbourne and the Military Ward at Mont Park. 2 The Repatriation Department continued to pay monthly bills submitted by the Mental Ward of No.16 AGH Mont Park through to January 1925 and possibly September 1927. End notes
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Life at Mont Park and Bundoora Repatriation Hospitals - a time line
An introduction to Mont Park and Bundoora Repatriation Hospitals is shown below allowing Tom to slot into both at different times in his long life within the Veteran Rehabilitation system.
Admission to Mont Park
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| Above: The left hand page of Tom's admission to Mont Park |
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| Above: The right hand page of Tom's admission to Mont
Park Source: PROV VPRS 18142 Admission and Discharge Register of Patients (Mont Park Psychiatric Hospital) (Not available on-line) |
The Mont Park admission register shows that Tom was patient 258 admitted on 8 May 1919. It gives his rank and battalion. No other details are recorded.
Whilst George McKenzie and Bertram Swift were discharged in 1919, Toms wasn't discharged. Instead there are dates in the 'Remarks' column: 29.7.24, 7.3.29 and 21.9.30. Each date is preceded by an 'Ex' and is followed by an 'R' and another date. The September 1930 date corresponds to an 'absent without leave' (see below).
Tom's medical records for Mont Park and Bundoora will be available under a Freedom of Information release. Until then, the Repatriation Medical Record will give a flavour of Tom's treatment and life in care.
A short history of Mont Park
The development of Mont Park and Bundoora charts Tom's post-war life which started at Mont Park Repatriation Hospital, continued through to Bundoora Repatriation Hospital and involved reassessment at Mont Park.
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| Above: A 1946 map of Mont Park with the approximate
position of the main building highlighted in red Source: Greensborough
Historical Society Click on the map to open a scalable pdf map in a new window |
Again Tom was fortunate to come under the influence of the far-sighted Lt. Col. Dr. W. Ernest Jones, 'Inspector General of the Insane' in Victoria. In 1905, with Jones' changing philosophy, the ‘insane’ and ‘lunatics’ treated in the six old asylums were seen as sick patients with mental disorders to be treated in his new hospital. Under his guidance, the Victoria and Melbourne asylums were consolidated into a new hospital built on the suburban parkland of the Mont Park and Strathallan estates. The Mont Park Psychiatric Hospital was established in January 1910 with the first buildings opening in 1912 as four wards of 160 male patients, who would be occupied in farming and gardening. The wards were formed in individual, segregated, self-contained 'pavilions' allocated to specific medical needs, including mental issues. They reflected the changes in attitudes to psychiatric illnesses.
At the outbreak of war the Commonwealth government was obliged to establish treatment and convalescent hospitals for war injuries. In Victoria, those suffering psychiatric conditions, including neurasthenia and shell-shock, and requiring specialised care were incorporated in special wards of No 16 Australian General Hospital at Mont Park. In 1916, these were known as the 'Chronic Wards', until 1918 when they became the responsibility of the Victoria Repatriation Department. In 1918, at Mont Park, Jones introduced Occupational Therapy for the returned serviceman. He sought to assist the rehabilitation of inmates by training them as carpenters, saddlers, tailors to name a few. In response to pressure from returned servicemen's organisations, a Military Mental Hospital was built in 1919 to remove them from the general psychiatric patient population. The shell-shocked patients were separated from the stigma of mental illness. Until 1933, the new wing accommodated 84 military patients who were suffering from psychiatric conditions as a result of their service in World War I, when they were transferred to Commonwealth facilities.
Other buildings were constructed: in 1919 a separate two-storey Administration Block was built with a single-storey kitchen-dining room pavilion at the rear; the free-standing combined church and recreation hall was built between 1927 and 1930 and the early therapeutic farm building was extended.
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| Above: A 2019 map of Mont Park marking the location of landmarks on the above map, remaining roads in yellow and some known buildings marked red. Click on the map to open a scalable pdf map in a new window |
In 1920, ten of the twelve wards in the central Mont Park buildings were vacated by the Department of Defence: the remaining two were still occupied by military mental patients. Convalescent ex-servicemen with psychiatric illnesses were sent to the near-by Bundoora Repatriation Hospital in 1924. In 1933 all military mental patients were transferred to Bundoora, and this was where Tom spent the rest of his life.
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Click on the icon to read a 2000 word .pdf account of Mont Park's history in a new window. |
Sources
A short history of Bundoora
The development of Bundoora is closely associated with Mont Park.
In April 1920, the Commonwealth bought the 600 acres Bundoora Park with its substantial 1899 Queen Anne style federation mansion with various cottages, sheds and stables in the grounds. It was thought to be a suitable site for a convalescent farm for the rehabilitation of ex-servicemen suffering psychiatric and behavioural disorders as a result of their military service. The combined facility became Mont Park Military Mental Wards – a halfway house between treatment and discharge. In 1923, the property was transferred to the Repatriation Commission. In October 1924, the Bundoora Homestead, initially known as Bundoora Convalescent Farm and sometimes the Bundoora Park Curative Farm, was opened as Mental Hospital Ward 2, with Mont Park being Ward 1. It was the first psychiatric facility established in Victoria to provide on-going care and rehabilitation for veterans with an accepted psychiatric illness due to their war service. Ex-servicemen with psychiatric illnesses were assessed at Mont Park and transferred to the adjoining Bundoora Repatriation Hospital for convalescence. Tom transferred between the two depending on his mental state and the need for re-assessment when he had 'escaped' or had gone 'absent without leave'.
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| Above: Bundoora map 2019 locating the existing main block and the possible location of the three additional sites Click on the map to open a scalable pdf map in a new window |
In 1933 all the military patients from Mont Park were transferred to the Bundoora Repatriation Mental Hospital. Over the years eight more wards were built, giving the hospital a capacity of 291 beds by 1968, the year after Tom's death.
In 1950 the hospital had 200 patients who had an entitlement for psychiatric care having a disorder due to war service. Many patients were admitted and discharged more than once, some up to 15 times over a period of years. Bundoora closed in 1993.
Sources:
Absent without leave
There are several records of Tom escaping or, using the military term, of being ‘absent without leave’ for different periods of time. On 24 June 1924 Tom absconded from Bundoora and reached somewhere in the region of Ivanhoe/Alphington, some 11km south of Bundoora. On 30 June 1924 a bill was submitted by Constable Lombard for 15 shillings for the hire of a car from CH Underwood in order to search for Tom and to return him to Bundoora. Advice was sought as to who would pay for the hire. 1
Tom’s longest period of absence without leave was 101 days between 09 June 1938 and 18 September 1938 when the Wodonga police returned him from the town on the New South Wales border, some 305km north of Bundoora. 2 Despite his condition, Tom had managed to travel north and return to the security of his pre-war teaching post. He had survived in the society he knew and perhaps had been happy. Under the Freedom of Information the police reported Tom was 'living in a bag hut against a log and under delusion that he is a famous runner'. 3 He told the police he was training for the Stawell Gift foot race.
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The length of this
‘escape’ suggests Tom was able to blend in with his society: being a 'normal'
person without manic episodes. At his inquest, Morris Decimanis, a psychiatric male
nurse at Bundoora, described Tom as a most polite and clean
patient and [who] occasionally went on Day leave. Perhaps his condition
worsened and the authorities were informed.
In 1939, Tom escaped from Bundoora to the Drouin area of Gippsland, a distance of 110km. Whilst there, he grew a long beard and a moustache, suggesting the time he was away. He was returned to Royal Park for assessment. 4 His last ‘escape’ was recorded in December 1941. 5 After Tom had 'escaped' he was returned to Royal Park or Mont Park Military Wards for a period of assessment before returning to Bundoora. The time between the two Repatriation Houses varied, presumably depending on Tom’s mental state. On one occasion, in October 1939, an absence resulted in a six week assessment at Royal Park before being returned to Mont Park. |
| Above: A map showing Tom's escape |
To transfer to Bundoora Convalescent Farm, Tom needed to show signs of recovery and suitable for therapy. On 15 December 1923 his transfer to Bundoora was approved but the paper work was not received at Mont Park and on 11 February 1924 it was being 'followed up'. However, Dr. Cade, in charge of Tom’s case, did not feel justified in effecting a transfer at the present time, as I have learned there is no responsible Male official on duty at that Institution during the night … and that this was perhaps, courting trouble. No doubt in the near future … 6 In February 1924, there were still unspecified complications in Tom’s case, but Dr Cade’s decision was overridden.
On 17 January 1940, Lyle Blackman, Tom’s brother, wrote a personal letter addressed Dear Cyril to Cyril Smith, Deputy Commissioner for Repatriation, asking for clarification of Tom’s situation. Tom had been returned to Mont Park after another disappearance, but without any notification to the family. Cyril Smith’s reply assured Lyle that Tom ' Will normally transfer to Bundoora in 7-10 days' and that 'he had Tom’s best interest in his brief'. 7
An undated circular in early 1923, was sent to the Local Medical Officers 'Re Mental Patients' and the procedures to be adopted to protect soldiers who had returned with mental symptoms:
…[T]he ordinary civilian procedures under the Lunacy Act should be adopted. Returned soldiers are now civilian and these Acts were devised for the protection of the patient and to ensure that the utmost care should be taken to avoid any injustice. It is therefore of the greatest importance that the returned soldier be not deprived of the provisions of the Act intended for his and others protection. Local Medical Officers must accordingly act as in the case of their other patients, and should carry out the procedures set out in the Act for the admission of the patient to the nearest Receiving House, Ward or Hospital for the insane. 8
Provision was made for 'soldiers' on leave to return to the institution by the quickest means without any form or assessment.
Absent with leave
Tom’s NAA Repatriation Record (q.v.) shows several periods of 'home' leave of differing periods of time. In 1922-23 Tom had home leave from Bundoora for three months over Christmas 1922 and again for five months in 1923, returning to Bundoora on New Year’s Eve. In 1930 he had one month 'home' leave followed by six weeks in 1933. It is assumed that he went home to Ballarat. 9
During these periods of absence there were complications with Tom’s pension 10 and subsidence from the Repatriation Department. Various pieces of paper were exchanged clarifying the accounts and agreeing who should pay what amount.
End notes
His official status
In 1920, the Rehabilitation Department, in accepting that Tom’s mental state was permanent and war related, took responsibility for his care and wellbeing. Since this had financial implications, pieces of paper were frequently exchanged requiring confirmations that Tom’s mental state was related to war service and to see whether there had been any improvement.
After a period of home leave between 09 November 1922 and 09 February 1923, a letter to the Department of Repatriation, on 02 February 1923, assessed Tom’s situation recording: The outlook as regards mental recovery is unfavourable but he is quiet, inoffensive man he (sic) could live outside a Mental Hospital if proper provisions were made for his care and safe keeping. It is not likely that he will ever be able to support himself. His bodily health is fair but it is likely there is some degeneration of the heart muscles and he also suffers from flatulent dyspepsia.1 Even at this early date the degenerative heart muscles had been flagged but not directly attributed to war injury.
On 27 November 1939, Royal Park were again asked to assess whether Tom’s disability was related to war service, which they confirmed as a war service disability on 05 December 1939. On the same day the Deputy Commission of the Rehabilitation Department accepted responsibility for Tom’s maintenance and asked for him to be transferred back to Repatriation Mental Hospital at Bundoora. 2
Mont Park reported on 29 July 1941 that the duration of Tom’s stay at Mont Park would be indefinite. 3 Officially, Mont Park recorded:
Since his admission on the 20th January 1942 with a diagnosis of Manic Depressive Psychosis ... 4 5
End notes
The final years at Bundoora
On 15 August 1951, it was reported that there had been no transfers from Bundoora after 20 January 1941. 1 Tom was still at Bundoora on 07 April 1966 when an application for a truss was made. 2 However, the results of a series of x-rays are recorded showing:
Trachea and mediastinum [Partition between two parts of an organ) in mid line. [This is normal] Plural opacity in left costo-phrenic angle. [Suggests chest infection] Left lung otherwise clear. Irregular opacity due to either injury or infection is present with right infra-clavicular region [This is indeed irregular and the inference would be TB or some established abscess and adhesions and plural thickening are present at base.] No acid fast bacilli seen in sputum. [This rules out TB and is likely to be a chest infection with water on the lungs] 3
There was no change to his chest X-rays during 1967. 4
The records have an official departmental notification of Tom’s death dated 28 November 1967 at 6.30pm. The next of kin Mrs [Marion] Brown (niece) 11 Cashmere (sic) [Kashmira] St, Oakleigh and Mrs [Mavis] Harris (Niece) 6 Airley Road, Glen Iris were informed.
At his inquest, held at Mont Park on 14 December 1967, Morris Decimanis, a psychiatric male nurse at Bundoora and the Medical Officer, Doctor Mok Chee Yu gave deposition that Tom was:
… a most polite and clean patient and occasionally went on Day leave. […] [T]he patient was talkative, full of impractical ideas to making money. He settled down and worked satisfactorily about the hospital and [was] cooperative.
In 1961, he was noted to be in C[ongenital ].H[eart].F[ailure]. with Auricular fibrillation [a quivering or irregular heartbeat] . He responded satisfactorily to treatment and maintained fairly good health.
On 11th March 1966 he was examined by the Medical Officer and placed on the dangerous ill list. Condition improved gradually, then deteriorated and in October 1967 again placed on the dangerously ill list. [H]e suffered a syncopic attack [ caused by low blood pressure and a decreased blood flow to the brain] with delirium and was rather ill. He made a slow recovery.
On the 28th November 1967 patient collapsed in a chair but did not lose consciousness. He was apprehensive, with cold perspiration, in moderate shock and in pain in the lower chest, suggestive of a myocardial Infarction [heart attack]. [He was] examined by the Medical Officer and was placed on the dangerously ill list. Minister of religion and relatives notified. Respiration ceased at 6.30PM on 28th November 1967. Examined by Medical Officer who pronounced life extinct. 5
The autopsy report noted the cause of death as cardiac infarction with bronchopneumonia and old cavities in both lungs, mucus membranes in the oesophagus, widening of the bronchial tubes and acute chronic cystitis. 6
| THIRD SCHEDULE |
| DEATH IN THE STATE OF VICTORIA |
| Registered by Richard CRAG |
| 1 No | No 2882 /67 |
Description - 2(1) When and where died (2) Usual place of residence 3 Name and Surname Occupation 4 Sex and age |
28th November, 1967, Bundoora, Repatriation Mental Hospital, Bundoora Walter John Thomas BLACKMAN Not any Male, 78 years |
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5(1) Cause of death (2) Duration of last illness (3) Legally qualified medical practitioner by whom certified and (4) When he last saw deceased |
Cardiac
infarct - Verdict at inquest held at Mont Park by the Coroner, Mr HW Pascoe, on 14th December, 1967 |
| 6 Name and surname of Father and Mother (maiden name, if known), with Occupation | William
Blackman, Frances Emily Blackman Maiden name Crompton Farmer |
| 7 Signature, Description and Residence of Informant | Certified by HW Pascoe, Coroner, Melbourne. |
| 8 (1) Signature of Registration
Officer (2) Date and (3) Where registered |
Signed 27th December, 1967. Melbourne |
| If burial registered 9 When and where buried Undertaker by whom certified 10 Name and Religion of Minister or names of Witnesses of burial |
30th November, 1967. Cremated at Springvale Crematorium, A Jensen L McLennan, C Ford |
| 11 Where born and how long in the Australian States, stating which | Ballarat,
Victoria, 78 years in Victoria. |
| If deceased was married - 12 (1) Where and (2) At what age and (3) To whom (4) Conjugal Condition at Date of Death 13 Issue in Order of Birth, the Name and ages |
Not married |
7
Making a claim
After Tom’s death his solicitors, Messers Coltman, Wyatt & Anderson, wrote to the Repatriation Department on 20 June 1968 asking whether death was attributable to War Service and asking for certificates to be forwarded to Victorian and Federal Death Duty Authority. 8 The claim was rejected based on the inquest verdict and without the right of appeal. However, the family made a successful appeal approved several years later by Prime Minister, Bob Hawke (in office 1983 to 1991). Bruce Ruxton, RSL Vice President in 1968 may have been involved.
End notes
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Tom was cremated on 30 November 1967, two days after his death.
Left: Tom Blackman's Australian War Graves memorial Springvale Cemetery, held in perpetuity at Brind, Wall Q, Niche 200 - November 2015 Author |
His will
Tom Blackman commemorated in Ballarat
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Left: Tom BLACKMAN's Arch of Victory marker in November 2015 - Author |
| Right: Positioned between two carriageways, Tom BLACKMAN's marker number 136 in November 2015 - Author |  |
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Left: Arch of Victory, Ballarat November 2015 - Author |
Hoverbox Photo Gallery - Ballarat Avenue of Honour c.1920
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feature does not function correctly on phones and tablets
| 1 Early plantings in the Ballarat Avenue of Honor, c1920. Courtesy Federation University Historical Collection [Cat.No.1279]. | 2 The Ballarat Arch of Victory showing early plantings in the Ballarat Avenue of Honor, c1920. Courtesy Federation University Historical Collection [Cat.No.19012]. |
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View YouTube video of the one hundredth anniversary commemoration of Ballarat's Victory Arch and Avenue of Honour
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Left: Blackman page in Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance Memorial Book |
| Right: The Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne 2015 - Author |  |
A personal postscript by Heather Schoffelen, Tom’s great niece
My memories of Tom are probably thin as it was between 1955 and 1961 when we lived at Point Lonsdale. I don’t know exact dates and I only remember him visiting twice during that time. My siblings and myself were usually dressed in very casual clothes, shorts, T-shirt’s, sandals or bare feet, so to see an older man wearing a black suit, white shirt, black polished shoes and black hat was unusual for youngsters who spent many hours at the beach or climbing the sand dunes.
Aunt Marion and Uncle Horrie (Horace Brown) would collect Tom from his accommodation at Bundoora, about 130kms. from Point Lonsdale. He arrived with a brown paper bag filled with sweets for us children. A real treat and no doubt organised by our generous and loving Marion.
Tom was very interested in looking around his surroundings, observing us children as we played but he said very little. It could have been because of his health restrictions or that he was listening to his nieces and their husbands. Tom enjoyed walking around the premises, stopping to just look around, then retracing his steps. He was a gentle man, inoffensive, polite.
Marion and Horrie often took Tom on outings; he loved being in the car. When Horrie was not able to visit Tom, Marion and her two daughters would travel by bus, train and tram to his home at Bundoora, a trip of an hour and a half each way. Marion would prompt Tom by speaking of his youth and news of his family. She would encourage Tom to participate in activities, walk in the garden and help where he could. 1
End notes
Sources
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| This page was created by Richard Crompton and maintained by Chris Glass |
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Version A8 Updated 09 June 2023 |
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