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BLACKBURN Harold Stewart MB BS

1919-1998

Harold Stewart Blackburn was born on 19th October 1919, in Renmark, South Australia. He was the son of John Stewart Blackburn MBE and Mildred Alice, nee George, and he had a sister Suzanne. His father, was a school teacher, who later ran an office supplies business. His uncles were Brigadier Arthur Seaforth Blackburn VC CMG CBE ED and a half-brother of Dr Sir Charles Bickerton Blackburn KCMG OBE.  Blackburn was educated at St Peter’s College, where he was a keen rower, and studied medicine at the University of Adelaide, graduating in 1942. His sister, also a doctor, became a school medical officer.

Blackburn initially wanted to serve in WW2, in 1940, but it was determined that as he was studying in a reserved occupation, he was required to complete his medical degree. Subsequently he enlisted at Wayville, on 12th January 1944, after completing a year as a junior medical officer at the RAH.  He named his father, who was living in Tusmore, as his next of kin. Initially he was posted, as a captain, to the AAMC Reserve of Officers and was sent to AAMC training school at Ivanhoe, NSW.  Returning to Adelaide, he was allotted general medical duties at 105 AMH on 5th April 1944. He was appointed as RMO to 55 Aust AA Regt on 8th July 1944. He was appointed as MO to 2/1 AGH, NT, on 18 May 1945. Blackburn had become engaged to and married Marcia Constance Jack, a doctor, on 22nd June 1945, who he now named as next of kin.  She was the daughter of Robert Lockhart Jack and Fanny Augusta, nee Marr. Her father was a medical practitioner, of South Yarra, VIC.  He was posted to special duties with Z Force, in QLD, on 12th July 1945 for a short time and then to Inter Service Wing Demob Centre, in Victoria, on 7th September 1945. Returning to SA, he was allotted to 52 Camp Hospital., on 12th October 1945, and then posted again to 105 AMH, on 21st June 1946. Blackburn was granted leave for 90 days to undertake refresher studies prior to discharge. His last day on full time duty was 27th November 1946 and he was placed on the Reserve of Officers. He resigned his commission on 7th February 1964.

Following the war, Blackburn and his wife Marcia, both took up positions as Government medical officers for Kingborough and Bruny Island municipalities.  A residence was provided for them at Snug, a small town, near Hobart, on the east coast of Tasmania. Between them, they were responsible for the provision of medical care from Snug and Taroona, and Snug, Gordon and Bruny Island. They had a daughter, Elizabeth Helen in 1948.  Blackburn and his wife became very much a part of the community where they lived. He played chess, taking part in chess championships in Tasmania and was president of the Snug Tennis club. It was reported in the Mercury that Blackburn gave urgent medical treatment to a child, who had swallowed grass seeds, while he was on holiday at Three Hummock Island off the Northern tip of Tasmania. He remained in Tasmania for the rest of his life. Harold Stewart Blackburn died in Launceston, Tasmania on 5th August 1998 and was buried at Carr Villa Cemetery in Launceston. He was survived by his wife Marcia, who died in 2002, and his daughter Elizabeth, who studied at Cambridge University, England, and became an eminent microbiologist.

Source

Blood, Sweat and Fears III: Medical Practitioners South Australia, who Served in World War 2. 

Swain, Jelly, Verco, Summers. Open Books Howden, Adelaide 2019. 

Uploaded by Annette Summers AO RFD