Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Gary Mitchell, Sandgate Cemetery
 
Served and suffered during The Great War, resting at Sandgate Cemetery. An Anzac.

81 years ago today, on the Friday afternoon of the 9th August 1940, Private James (Jim) Richard Blayden, 4th Battalion (Reg No-1663), blacksmith’s striker from Scone, New South Wales and 37 Silsoe Street, Mayfield, N.S.W., father of seven, was laid to rest with full military honours at Sandgate Cemetery, age 45. METHODIST 4-12. 48.

In a note to this office, dated 9th August, Mr. E. J. Marks, of Merewether, Newcastle, tells of the burial that day, with full military honours, of Mr. James (Jim) Blayden, former resident of Scone, and a Digger who lost an arm and was otherwise knocked about in the 1914-18 World War.

Our informant mentioned that he noticed at the funeral Messrs. F. Dennewald (Secretary of the Newcastle branch of the Limbless Soldiers' Association), J. Burkett, J. Vaughan, A. Callister, and P. Irwin, all of which were and are still associated with Scone.

Jim, who discarded mufti for khaki in the years gone by, was then in his teens, and on his return to Australia, the Scone branch of the Voluntary Workers' Association ran up a home for him. A motor body painter by trade, the loss of a limb did not deter him, neither did it handicap him to any great extent, in his work, which he pursued without the semblance of a complaint. He kept his chin up, was ever complacent, and was invariably pleasant.

Reinforced with courage, he was likewise ambitious, and in later years entered business on his own behalf in the Newcastle district, which he conducted up to within a few months ago, when failing health called a halt.

The late Mr. Blayden was made of that stuff which the Anzacs possessed aplenty, and of which Australia had laid down for her in the foundation on which the nation was built.

A widow, two sons and five daughters survive, for whom heartfelt sympathy will be extended in their great loss. One son will carry on the business. A son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Charles Blayden, of Bunnan, and for some years of Scone, the worthy old couple were widely connected and respected in these parts.
Another brother of the deceased, Private Thomas Blayden, gave his life in the war of a quarter of a century since. Mrs. A. B. Goodworth (Satur) and Mrs. P. Irwin (Scone) are surviving sisters.

Born at Owens Gap, New South Wales on the 1st October 1894 to Charles and Elizabeth Blayden nee Bell of Satur Road, Scone, New South Wales and Turanville Road, Scone, N.S.W.; husband of Mary Ellen Blayden nee Cameron (married 1917, West Maitland, N.S.W., died 1957, Murrurundi, N.S.W.), Jim enlisted January 1915, place unknown.

Jim was invalided home June 1916, being discharged medically unfit on the 16th September 1916.

Mr. Blayden’s name has been inscribed on the Scone Public School War Memorial (photo, unveiled date unknown), Scone District WW1 Honour Roll, Scone St. Luke's Memorial Arch and the Scone St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church Roll of Honor. Name has not been inscribed on the Scone & District War Memorial.
I have placed poppies at Jim’s gravesite in remembrance of his service and sacrifice for God, King and Country.

I submitted an application to DVA July 2017 asking for Commonwealth War Graves Plaque to be placed at the gravesite, and incredibly this was declined June 2018.
Mr. Blayden was an amputee, therefore should have automatically qualified for official commemoration.
I shall resubmit this application very soon.

Older brother Thomas William Charles (Reg No-1508, 4th Battalion, born 1892, KIA 5.5.1917, Second Battle of Bullecourt) also served 1st A.I.F.

Lest We Forget.