Their bodies are buried in peace; but their names liveth for evermore.
Their Duty Done
A tribute to the men and women of the East Gippsland Region who Died as a result of their participation in World War One : 1914 - 1919
Private John Alexander Blacklock - Orbost Died of illness 25 April 1916
….. measles complicated by pneumonia
Tasmanians John Fox (snr) and Matilda Blacklock arrived in Orbost in the 1880s when they opened up a shop and John later became the secretary of the Orbost Butter Factory. Their first son, also named John, was born in Bairnsdale in 1886 followed by his sisters Christina and Evelyn who were born in Orbost in 1890 and 1897 respectively. John and his sisters went to school in Orbost before John became a labourer and on 18 March 1916, when he was 30 years old, he enlisted to serve. He had only been in camp at Brisbane for two months with No. 11 Depot Battalion when he contracted measles that was complicated with pneumonia. He died in the Brisbane Hospital on 25 April and was buried in the Brisbane General Cemetery. We have been unable to locate a photograph of Private John Blacklock, if you know of one, please make contact. Our group would appreciate your assistance.