Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Death of Corporal J. Blackham.
Authentic news has just been received of the death in battle in South Africa of Corporal John Blackhan, brother-inlaw of Cr J. W. Aspinall, of Box Hill. Corporal Blackham left Australia in the "Orient," and when he arrived in South Africa he enlisted with the 2nd Scottish horse. Major T. D. Murray, the officer commanding, writes to Mrs Blackhanm (mother of the dead soldier) as follows :--" It is with the greatest regret and deepest sympathy that I write to inform you of the death of your son, Corporal Blackham, of C Squadron 2nd Scottish Horse, who was killed in action near Dullstroom on April 30. It will, I feel sure, be a great relief to you to know that his death must have been painless, and that he died doing his duty in the firing line. I had his body brought in, and we buried him near the church here. The chaplain of the Royal Scots took the service, and the Royal Scots kindly sent their pipers to the funeral.'

John McKnight Blackham was a Boundary Rider. He was born in Melbourne in 1874 but preferred to work on Outback Stations. His parents were immigrants from the U.K. who met and married in Queensland. John was the youngest child of Joseph and Caroline Blackham (nee McKnight). He had four siblings but one died as a child. 

It is likely that he attempted to enlist locally in the Victorian Mounted Rifles. However, 5VMR ranks were quickliy filled. For such was the widespread enthusiasm to enlist. This was being driven by thrilling dispatches from correspondents. These were used to sell newspapers. That ensured public support for the war in the Transvaal. The Empire by then had been connected via undersea telegrath cables.   

John was unsuccessful but undaunted. He decided against waiting to see if he could make the cut for the new Commonwealth Horse Battalions. His plan was to travel to South Africa as an indulgence passenger on the SS Orient. This coincidently was the transport  used to ship elements of 5VMR. For he knew that a second Scottish Horse Battalion was be raised in the field. His mother was born in Scotland. Hence he met with the 2nd Bn. Scottish Horse C.O. in Johannesburg.

He put his case. Then passed the horsemanship and medical tests. He was attested and was soon promoted to Corporal. However, No 31819 CPL John Mcknight Blackham C Sqn 2bn Scottish Horse was KIA. He died on 30 April 1901. The C.O. whom he had recently put his case to for enlistment, then wrote to his mother in Melbourne. 

The Scottish Horse was an Imperial Yeomanry Regiment raised in 1900 in Johannesburg for Boer War service. It was raised at the behest of the Caladonian Society in Johannesburg. To enable those of Scottish descent living in South Africa to enlist and defend the Empire.

John's name is on the Scottish Horse 1900 Memorial in Edinburgh, Scotland. Not far from where his mother was born. He is also on the Scottish Horse 1900 Memorial on Caladonia Hill. This is on a kopje in Johannesburg. Not far from where he was KIA.    

Lest We Forget.