Walter Blacklock received his eventually fatal wound on June 30th in one of the Otago Infantry Regiment's first actions after arriving in France from Egypt. The events leading up to the artillery bombardment which wounded him are described in the Otagos' Official History:
On June 27th elaborate preparations were commenced for the discharge of gas over the enemy's lines. During the hours of darkness over 140 cylinders were placed in position in anticipation of a favourable wind. This was an undertaking involving a considerable amount of labour, apart from the attendant risks and the necessity for absolute secrecy. Delay in discharging gas already installed was PAGE 100dangerous in view of possible enemy bombardments, and in this instance there was cause for further anxiety. A deserter from a battalion of the 1st Infantry Brigade had gone over to the enemy from the Mushroom on the early morning of June 29th, and a subsequent bombardment of the area over which the cylinders were installed, to say nothing of even more destructive occurrences, seemed to confirm prevailing suspicions. At 10 p.m. on June 30th gas was delivered north of Hobb's Farm. Everything worked without a hitch, and the severity of the bombardment which the enemy directed to our front line and Houplines by way of retaliation conveyed the suggestion that the operation had been attended by success.
Walter's wound is described in his Army Record as a shrapnel wound, but reports from the local paper of it being caused by an artillery shell presumably came from Walter himself. He was on the "dangerously ill" list in hospital for a while before being well enough to be repatriated on the HS Maheno on October, 1916. It was clear that he would spend the rest of his life without the use of his legs.
Trooper Walter James Blacklock, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Blacklock, of The Cape, died at the Oamaru Hospital on Saturday. Trooper Blacklock enlisted at Oamaru, and left with the 9th Reinforcements. He saw service in France, where he received the wound to which he ultimately succumbed. A shell, which did not explode, grazed Trouper Blacklock across the small of the back, and he was invalided to New Zealand, being taken to the Oamaru Hospital as a cot case on his arrival about two months ago. - Press, 20/2/1917.
FINAL OBSEQUIES.
FUNERAL OF THE LATE TROOPER BLACKLOCK.
FULL MILITARY HONOURS.
The remains of the late Trooper Walter James Blacklock, who succumbed on Saturday last, at the Oamaru Hospital to wounds received in France, were buried at the Oamaru Cemetery yesterday afternoon, with full military, honours. The cortege which left the Defence Hall at three o'clock was a lengthy and representative one, and showed the admiration of the public for the sacrifice of the late soldier, and also the respect in which his relatives are held in the district. The casket was mounted on a gun-carriage supplied from Dunedin by the New Zealaud Artillery, and was draped with the Union Jack. The procession was headed by the Tenth Regiment Band, under Bandmaster Fox, which played Handel's impressive "Dead March" in Saul, on the way to the cemetery. The parade was under the command of Major Forrester, commanding the Tenth (North Otago) Regiment. Captain Redmond, N.Z.S.C., represented the Defence Department. Lieutenants Roberts and Branthwaite of the Tenth Regiment, the officers of the National Reserve, Captain-Chaplain Hunter and Captain-Chaplain Lawrence were also on parade. A Company of the Tenth Regiment paraded and furnished a firing party, and a squad of Waitaki High School Cadets was also present. Several returned members of the Expeditionary Force paraded for the occasion and furnished the following pall-bearers: Corporal Meldrum (Tenth N.O. Regiment), Corporal Duncan (Fifth Otago Mounted Regiment), Trumpeter Milligan (N.Z.V.C.), Private Garard (Fourteenth South Otago Regiment) and Private Te Au (Maori Contingent). Captain-Chaplain Hunter was the officiating chaplain. A short service was held at the Drill Hall, after which the procession moved off via Itchen, Wharf, Arun and Greta streets. At the conclusion of' the service at the graveside, three volleys were fired over the open grave and the service closed impressively with the sounding of the "Last Post" by the members of the Regimental band.
On returning to the Defence Hall, the officers and men were, briefly addressed by Major Forrester, who thanked them for their attendance, and also reminded them of the importance of today's ceremony of the presentation of a Military Medal by the Minister of Defence (Sir James Allen) and urged a full attendance for the occasion. -North Otago Times, 21/2/1918.
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