Albert Edward Blackman

Mr Albert Edward Blackman was born in Eastleigh, Hampshire, England in 1889; his birth was registered in the second quarter of that year and he was baptised in Bishopstoke on 2 June 1889.

He was the son of Henry Edwin Blackman (1856-1901) and Clara Button (1857-1930). His father was originally from Cleeve, Wiltshire and his mother from Blandford, Dorset and they were married in Winchester, Hampshire in mid-1880. They first settled in Winchester and later moved to Basingstoke, then Eastleigh and eventually settled in Southampton around 1895.

Albert had eight known siblings: Walter Sidney (1881-1947), Priscilla Ellen (1882-1939, later Mrs George Martin), Horace Wilmot (b. 1884), Arthur Andrews (b. 1886), Charles (b. 1891), Clara (b. 1894), Hilda Constance (1896-1942, later Mrs James Johnson) and Thomas (1899-1950).

Albert first appears on the 1891 census when he and his family were living at 8 Barton Cottage, Eastleigh and his father was described as a coachman. His father passed away in early 1901 and on the census that was taken that year Albert, his widowed mother and siblings were listed as living at 58 College Street, Southampton. His mother was remarried in Southampton in 1905 to George Richard Slade (b. 1861 in Dorset), a ship's painter, and would remain at the 58 College Street address, appearing here on the 1911 census; Albert was absent, perhaps already at sea.

When he signed on to the Titanic on 6 April 1912 Blackman gave his address as 58 College Street, Southampton. His previous ship had been the Atrato and as a fireman he could expect monthly wages of £6.

Albert Blackman, who was unmarried, died in the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified.

BLACKMAN--In ever-loving memory of Bert, son of the late Henry and Clara Blackman. Deeply mourned by his sorrowing mother, brother and sisters.
- Southern Daily Echo, 15 April 1913.

His mother Clara continued to live in Southampton, later living at 170 Warren Avenue, Shirley, where she died on 14 November 1930.