Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Blackwell a haberdasher’s warehouseman, born in the 2nd quarter of 1865 in Leighton, Huntingdonshire (son of Charles Blackwell and Mary Read) and his wife Mary Elizabeth Blackwell (nee Kidger, married in the 4th quarter of 1889 in the Loughborough, Leicestershire district), born in the 4th quarter1866 in Loughborough (daughter of Henry Watts Kidger and Jane Coulson). Thomas William was born in the 4th quarter of 1893 in Loughborough and was baptised on the 7th November 1893 in Loughborough, his siblings were Charles Henry, born on the 29th July 1890 and baptised on the 28th September 1890 in Loughborough and Walter Edward, born in the 4th quarter of 1895 and baptised on the 24th November 1895 in Loughborough both his siblings were born in Loughborough, in March 1901 the family home was at 3, Sparrow Hill, Loughborough. In April 1911 Thomas was employed as an apprentice iron smith and was residing in the family home at 9, Sparrow Hill, Loughborough, together with his father, a general labourer, his mother and siblings, Charles, an apprentice machinist, Walter, an apprentice printer and Frederick Cyril, born on the 20th December 1908 in Loughborough and baptised on the 24th January 1909 in Loughborough. The family later moved to reside at 4, Freehold Street, Loughborough.
Thomas’s Army enlistment documents do not survive, all that is known of his military service is that he enlisted in Loughborough, Leicestershire into the Territorial Force of the Leicestershire Regiment, and was allotted the service number 3444, and posted as a Private to that Regiment’s Depot for training, subsequently being posted to the 2/5th Battalion. It is unknown when Thomas first entered the theatre of war in France, however as he was not recorded on the medal rolls for the 1914-15 Star, it must be assumed that it was at some time after the 31st December 1915. It is also unclear when he was transferred to the 1/4th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment, but as a Territorial soldier under the Army Council Instruction of 1917 that promulgated a new numbering system for all Territorial Force units, he was allotted the service number 241179. Nothing further is known of his military service until he was reported as having been killed in action on the 4th May 1918, while serving with “D” Company of the 1/4th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment. He was buried in Fouquieres Churchyard Extension, France. Thomas was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal. On the 26th November 1918, Thomas’s parents were awarded a weekly Army Pension of four shillings and sixpence for life.
The War Diary records: 4 May-18 - Between 5.00 am and 5.50 am the enemy put down a heavy barrage on our left Company front. The Commanding Officer rendered a full report to the Brigade. No infantry action followed. Our casualties were 2 other ranks killed and 12 other ranks wounded from “B” and “D” Companies. Enemy Machine Guns were active throughout the night.
On Friday May 31st 1918 The Loughborough Echo published the following article. – News has been received that Pte. T. William Blackwell, Leicestershire Regt., son of Mr. W. Blackwell, 4, Freehold-street, Loughborough, was killed in action on May 4th. He was 24 years of age, and had completed his apprenticeship with Mr. Partridge, Baxter-gate, at the time he enlisted in Sept. 1914. He had been for some time servant to Lieut. Dakin, of Shepshed, and on the day of his death was one of a section in another platoon, who were holding a post under heavy fire. He was killed with his Corporal by a shell and another man was wounded. The officer of the company writes: - “He was splendid, and always performed any task allotted to him cheerfully and willingly. His devotion to duty was an example to his comrades who join with me in mourning his loss. I tender my sincere and deepest sympathy to you, and trust that you will be given strength to bear this great bereavement. “God rest the soul of a brave soldier.”