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Biography of Charles Frederick Blackburn

Early Life

Charles Frederick Blackburn was born on 12 January 1901 in London, England, the son of Charles David Blackburn.

(His WW2 enlistment papers record his birth year as 1906, making him appear five years younger — almost certainly to meet the A.I.F. age restrictions.)

He emigrated to South Australia, where he worked as a motor driver before the outbreak of the Second World War.

Marriages & Family

1st Marriage – Elsie Violet Letton

On 23 June 1934, at the Adelaide Registry Office, Charles married Elsie Violet (née Letton) Woodhouse, daughter of William Edward Letton and Sarah Poett.

Elsie was born 28 September 1902 at Wasleys, South Australia.
She first married William Clifford Woodhouse on 6 October 1921 at the Catholic Church, Renmark. He died in 1927 at Berri.
Elsie died at Renmark on 21 February 1938, aged 35, and was buried in the Renmark Cemetery, Traditional Old Section C, Site 44A.
2nd Marriage – Ruby Florence Dohse

Following Elsie's death, Charles later married Ruby Florence Dohse, daughter of Julias Conrad Dohse and Alice Mary Sampson.

Ruby was born 13 April 1910 at Beaufort, South Australia.
Charles and Ruby lived at 16 Thomas Street, Nailsworth in later life.
Ruby died on 14 June 2004 in Adelaide, aged 94, and was laid to rest in Enfield Memorial Park, Eastern Niche Wall No.1.

Military Service – World War II

Army No.: SX1729
Unit: 2nd A.I.F., later 7/10th Battalion
Enlisted: 19 February 1940 at Adelaide, aged 34 (declared)
Occupation: Motor Driver
Religion: Church of England
Next of Kin: Initially his father, Charles David Blackburn of Croydon, SA

Service Record:

May 1940: Embarked from Sydney
June 1940: Disembarked at Gourock, Scotland
Served in the United Kingdom and later returned to Australia
Suffered from phlebitis, malaria, and anxiety-related illness, resulting in multiple hospital admissions
Rose to the rank of Lance Corporal
Discharged: 23 November 1943 at Wayville, SA, after 1,374 days of service under Essential Services regulations, to return to civilian work
Awarded an Active Service Badge, including a replacement in 1945

Later Life & Death

After his discharge, Charles returned to civilian life in South Australia. He lived at Nailsworth with Ruby Florence.

He died on 22 July 1978, aged 77, at the Repatriation Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia.

His residence at the time was 16 Thomas Street, Nailsworth.

Research Note

Charles's records contain a birth year discrepancy:

Civil sources (marriage and death) confirm 1901.
Enlistment papers state 1906, an age reduction likely made to fit military enlistment criteria.

Sources

National Archives of Australia – Service Record of Charles Frederick Blackburn, SX1729 (Series B883)
South Australian Births Index: Elsie Violet Letton, 28 Sep 1902, Barossa (Ref: SAGHS 702/312)
South Australian Marriages Index:
Elsie Violet Letton & William Clifford Woodhouse, 6 Oct 1921, Renmark (Ref: SAGHS 289/80)
Charles Frederick Blackburn & Elsie Violet Woodhouse, 23 Jun 1934, Adelaide (Ref: SAGHS 349/2016)
South Australian Deaths Index: Elsie Violet Blackburn, 21 Feb 1938, Renmark (Ref: SAGHS 599/789)
South Australian Births Index: Ruby Florence Dohse, 13 Apr 1910, Gilbert (Ref: 842/424)
Advertiser (SA) – Marriage notice Blackburn–Dohse, 9 Apr 1943
Advertiser (SA) – Death notice, Charles Frederick Blackburn, 22 Jul 1978; Funeral notice, 25 Jul 1978
Advertiser (SA) – Death notice, Ruby Florence Blackburn (née Dohse), 14 Jun 2004; Funeral notice, 19 Jun 2004
Burial Registers: Renmark Cemetery, Enfield Memorial Park

Biography by Trevor Pyatt - 29/08/2025