John Blackstone served in the Machine Gun Section. He was shot in the neck as he left the trenches at Serre on the start of the attack on the 1st July 1916.
John Blackstone is buried at Euston Road Cemetery, behind the lines, and close to two other Chorley Pals.
Born in Croston near Chorley in 1893, he lived with his parents Thomas and Mary Ellen at 30 Grape Lane in the village; he was one of six children. John worked as a Gardener on the Croston Estate and worshipped at St. Michael’s Church. His family name is recorded as Blackston on all the Census records from 1841 to 1901 (although it is Blackstone on the 1881 Census, the original records / transcript clearly show Blackston).
John’s brother William served as Private 2820 in the 1st / 5th Battalion of the Staffordshire Regiment and was killed in action on the 21st July 1915, being commemorated on the Menin Gate in Ypres – his name being spelt “Blackston”.
The 1911 Census shows the family still at 30 Grape Lane in Croston but their name is recorded as Blackstone – William had left the family home by this time.
