Julian Victor Blackwell was originally from Llanelly in South Wales. He was born in 1898, the son of Julian Blackwell and Emma Blackwell (nee Stallard). By 1901, the family had moved to Wolverhampton, and were living at 34 Austin Street. His father was a Railway Engine Driver. Julian is listed at the house, alongside his five brothers (James, William, George, Archibald and Sidney) and his one sister, Mabel. By the 1911 census, Emma Blackwell is listed as a widow, as her husband had died aged 44 in 1903. There are still four of Julian’s brothers and his sister living with the family, who have moved to 18 Francis Street, Wolverhampton.

Julian served in the 11th Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers during the First World War, and was promoted to Second Lieutenant. According to his entry in the Newhampton Road Wesleyan Church Roll of Honour 1914-1919 volume, Blackwell was “killed in action attempted to rush a machine gun emplacement” on 11 April 1918. There is a photograph of him on the Wolverhampton War Memorials site, and he is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium.