The Blackburn Family
The Blackburn Family is made up of some of the most famous soldiers from Malton. To celebrate this family they created the Blackburn Monument in Dentonside. Their family rival, The Banbury Family, has a Monument in Lukinswood.
William Blackburn
William Blackburn was born in 1623 to a rather poor family. When he was 19 years old the first English Civil War started and he found himself supporting the Long Parliament. His cousin, Jonathon Banbury, was a soldier for King Charles I. In the first Civil War they did not meet up but at the second Civil War they did at the Battle of St. Fagans. On the battlefield, as a Dragoon, Blackburn got lost behind enemy lines. His cousin, Banbury, charged at him but Blackburn dodged. They fought for several minutes until Blackburn took out a dagger and made a fatal blow to his cousin's heart. William Blackburn was traumatized from that day forward.
After the war he settled down and had several children.
Richard Blackburn
Born in 1733, Richard Blackburn was the great-grandson of William Blackburn. In the Seven Years' War Richard fought in the Battle of Lagos against the French Navy. Afterwards he went to the Americas to have a family. Died of old age.
Charles Blackburn
Son of Richard Blackburn, fought in the American Revolutionary War as a Loyalist. Died when shot by a Yankee named Banbury.
Donald Blackburn
Brother of Charles, and son of Richard. Blackburn family moved to British Canada until the death of Richard. Then moved back to England. Fought in the Irish Rebellion where he was awarded for defeating 20 rebels, one of which named Banbury.
George Blackburn
Son of Charles Blackburn, raised by uncle Donald Blackburn. Fought in Napoleonic Wars as a sailor. Sailed to coast of Africa where he was captured. Presumed dead until his resurfacing many years later.
Jonathon Blackburn
Son of Donald Blackburn. Fought in Opium Wars against China. Settled in Hong Kong.
Robert Blackburn
Descendent of George Blackburn. Fought in Boer Wars. Died of friendly fire by a fellow soldier named Banbury. Banbury was executed.
Robert II Blackburn
Son of Robert Blackburn. Fought in Boxer Rebellion. Awarded for his bravery. Had six children, four boys and two girls.
Edward Blackburn
Son of Robert II Blackburn. Fought in WWI on the Western Front. Died during a trench raid.
Robert III Blackburn
Son of Robert II. Fought in WWI in the Middle East against the Ottomans. Helped liberate Middle Eastern countries. Awarded. Had three sons.
Robert IV Blackburn
Son of Robert III Blackburn. Fought in WWII in Africa and eventually in France. Awarded for taking out seven German machine gun nests. After the war had four sons.
Daniel Blackburn
Son of Robert III Blackburn, brother of Robert IV Blackburn. Fought in WWII but died at Sword Beach on D-Day. Was honored by all Allied countries after the war.
Robert VI Blackburn
Grandson of Robert IV Blackburn. Fought in Falklands War as a sailor. Served on the HMS Conqueror that sunk the ARA General Belgrano. Had one son right after the war.
Rick Blackburn
Son of Robert IV Blackburn. Fought in Iraq. Died in 2004 to a car bomb.
The Blackburn Monument
To commemorate the military history of the Blackburn Family the city of Malton created the Blackburn Monument in 2005 in their home suburb of Dentonside. This caused a bit of controvery when a week later the Banbury Monument was created in Lukinswood.
