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John Charles Blattman - Information

The Blattmans were a large family from Oakdale, with German Ancestry. John’s grandparents, Michael and Christiana Blattman arrived in the colony from Germany in 1853. They settled in the Picton area, where they added to their family with Michael Jr. in 1858. Michael Jr. then married Mary Ann Shoobridge in Camden on the 14th of January in 1887.25 They began their family in Oakdale, including John, born c1890. John grew up in the area with his many siblings and began working as a labourer. The war would have a significant impact on the Blattman family. In August 1914, John’s older brother, Walter, enlisted in the AIF and left for war. When John was 25, he followed suit, signing up on the 20th of July 1915 in Liverpool. He was sent abroad on the 9th of November 1915.

John arrived in Suez on the 11th of December 1915, soon joining the 30th Battalion. In January 1916, he was admitted to hospital in Ismalia with a hernia. Resultantly, in mid March, he was transferred to the 1st Field Company Engineers at Serapeum, his brother’s unit, and was made a Driver. A few days later, he was transported to the Western Front. John and his unit aided operations working close to the frontlines. He was appointed Lance Corporal on the 20th of August 1917. From October until December, John reported sick and was admitted to hospital. He was promoted to Sergeant on the 13th of September 1918. John remained in France, until April 1919 when he was taken back to England. The following month, he was shipped home to Australia. He got married to Lillian Beckett in Camden in 1923, and made a home together at 9 Little St.