Blackie, Frank Herndon (1887 - 1918)

Lieutenant, 8th Bn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) attd. King's African Rifles

Buried at Dar es Salaam British and Indian Memorial

Commemorated at Hillhead High School

Lieutenant Frank Herndon Blackie was the youngest son of Mr. John J. Blackie, 24 Hamilton Park Terrace, W. On leaving School he entered the employment of Messrs. Hodge & Smith, chartered accountants, Glasgow.

While keenly interested in his work, he found time to pursue his favourite recreations, drawing,sketching, country expeditions on foot or bicycle, and swimming. He was also for several years a member of the Hillhead Company of the Glasgow Highlanders.

On the declaration of war in 1914 he at once rejoined his old regiment and went with the 1st Battalion to France in November of the same year. He came safely over the privations and dangers of the first year's campaign and in September, 1915, he was granted a commission in the 8th Scottish Rifles, and returned to this country to train. In the autumn of 1916, in response to an appeal for volunteers for service
in East Africa, he offered himself. He was accepted, and posted to the 1st King's African Rifles, joining his regiment at Zamba in the beginning of 1917.

In May of that year, while engaged on a recruiting expedition in Portuguese East Africa, he was taken prisoner by a German raiding force, and remained in their hands till he was released by the British in November of the same year. Lieut. Blackie during his captivity kept a diary, which he sent home. It gives a vivid and interesting account of his experiences, and shows the 'Huns' in East Africa in a much more favourable light than those of the Fatherland. It is hoped to publish extracts from the diary in the Magazine from time to time.

Lieut. Blackie was killed in action on the 11th April, 1918, while in command of a machine gun in a bushfight near Kariva, Portuguese East Africa. Lieut. Frank W. Blackie was the second of his fanlily to fall in the great cause. His elder brother, Captain A. F. Blackie,
16th H.L.I., died in France from wounds received in action on 17th April, 1917, aged thirty-seven.

Par nobile fratrum.