blackman

Thomas joined his brothers Charles and Alfred Blackman. Alfred and Thomas were both injured in the same battle: Thomas suffered from “shell-shock”. He is also listed as A.W.L. (Absent Without Leave) for a period after Alfred died of his wounds. Thomas returned to Australia on the 17th of December 1918. His other brother Charles also returned to Australia on the 12th April 1919. Some years later Thomas Blackman wrote to Caroline Tennant-Kelly, an anthropologist who worked in Barambah, asking her to intervene on his behalf regarding his forced removal to Cherbourg by the Chief Protector. He feels victimized as a former WW1 digger and questions why he has had his exemption removed after serving his King and country. (See his letter in full, below p.x) “Shell shock” was a term used to describe the reaction of some soldiers in World War I to the trauma of battle. It could include symptoms as varied as panic, intense fear, horror, and an inability to reason, sleep, walk, or talk. During the war, cases of “shell shock” could be interpreted as either physical or psychological, or even as a lack of “moral fiber”. Many soldiers never fully recovered from the horrors of war and brought these symptoms home with them. At the time of WWI, none of these conditions were properly recognized or understood. Limited support and treatment were offered to those who presented with symptoms, which today are described as PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. We must recognize the toll that war takes on individuals and show understanding and compassion to those who suffer as a result of their sacrifice and service. Source: cherbourgmemory.org/profiles/thomas-blackman/

This image has been used in the indicommons.org post: Black History across the Commons - Part 1

This is one of 4 Bain Collection photos of Jack Johnson taken in the same place and apparently at the same time, one of which is dated May 3, 1912

www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q41191990