Private Arthur Wilfred Blackman
Arthur Blackman was born on August 2, 1890 in London, England. There is little information about his life, but he immigrated to Paris at some point and was a member of St. James Anglican Church. When he enlisted on November 20, 1915, at age 25, he listed his trade as a farm hand.
Arthur was a member of the 10th Platoon that embarked aboard the S.S Scandinavia on February 12, 1916. The 9th and 10th Platoons were the first contingent of soldiers from Paris, nearly 100 men, to go overseas. He would have been transferred to another battalion after arriving in England, but there is no record of Arthur’s transfer. All we know of his service relates to his death on October 4, 1918. Arthur, along with three of his comrades, was killed by an enemy bomb on the Transport lines near Boulon, France. Boulon Wood was a significant area of combat during the final months of WWI. Canadian troops were engaged in intense fighting, often involving artillery, bombing, gas attacks and sniper fire. Boulon Wood was just one area of combat during the Hundred Day Offensive at the end of the First World War.
The Hundred Days Offensive (Aug 8 - Nov 11, 1918) was a series of decisive Allied attacks in WWI, where the Canadian Corps, under Arthur Currie, acted as the spearhead, consistently breaking through strong German defenses. Key engagements included Amiens, the Drocourt-Quéant Line, Canal du Nord, and the final capture of Mons, where the war ended. The Canadians defeated parts of 47 German divisions, demoralizing them and forcing their High Command to admit the war was unwinnable, marking "the black day of the German army". However, the cost was great. Over 45,000 Canadians were casualties (killed, wounded, missing) in these three months, a significant portion of the nation's total war losses, representing intense fighting. "Canada's Hundred Days" became a defining moment, highlighting the Canadian Corps' effectiveness as a premier assault force, earning numerous Victoria Crosses for valor. This offensive was crucial in forcing Germany's surrender, showcasing Canada's pivotal role and immense sacrifice in the final, decisive stages of World War I, turning the tide on the Western Front.
Arthur Blackman was just one of those 45,000 Canadian casualties. He is buried in Bourlon Wood Cemetery, six kilometers west of Cambrai. The war would end just one month after his death.