Benjamin Blackwood
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| Portrayed by Iain Ogilvy | |
| Full Name | Benjamin Blackwood |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 15th April, 1781 |
| Father | Sir Robert Blackwood |
| Mother | Frances Blackwood |
| Town Residence | Unknown |
| Branch of the Military | Infantry |
| Ship or Regiment | Coldstream Guards |
| Currently Enlisted? | Yes |
| Enlistment Date | 1797 |
| Current or Final Rank (if retired) | Captain |
| Major Engagements | Oporto, Talavera,Bussaco, Barossa |
Benjamin Blackwood is an experienced officer whose choice of career has put him at odds with his father. Despite the name, he is no relation of the Barons Blackwood of Riverfort (or if he is, the link is so distant as to be non-existent.)
Benjamin Blackwood is a former character played by Doc.
Family
- Father - Sir Robert Blackwood, b. 1755
- Mother - Frances Blackwood (née Harding), b. 1759
- Siblings - William Blackwood, b. 1784; Mary Winslow (née Blackwood), b. 1786; Anne Blackwood, b. 1788
- Cousins - Ernest Templeton, b. 1762; Georgiana Haworth, Lady Louth, b. 1791
Military Career
Despite being the eldest son, Benjamin was set on a military career - which put him at odds with his father's views of how Benjamin should shape his life after school. He was seventeen when he purchased his first commission, choosing the 37th Foot for his regiment. With this decision unlikely to cause anything except trouble once his father learned of it, Benjamin elected to wait until the last moment before breaking the news. The ensuing disagreement about it marred what should have been a celebration. It was under a cloud that Benjamin departed Weatherly to join his regiment.
He was with the North Hampshires during their service in India, where after three years he purchased up to the rank of lieutenant. He remained with the North Hampshires for a further two years, determined to gain as much experience in the Line as he could. Unknown to his family, Benjamin had a particular ambition. Spending his career in the Line was not part of his plan. Instead, he had a deep desire to elevate himself to the more select world of the Guards. Advancement of this sort was expensive, of course, but he had been preparing for it from the start. Careful attention paid to news and rumours eventually paid off and, while home on leave, he learned of a prime opportunity: a captain's vacancy in the Coldstream Guards.
It was with no small amount of luck, as well as the influence provided by his father's connections, that the deal was sealed in Benjamin's favour. The arrangements were made and the necessary sums exchanged hands, and soon enough he had achieved his ambition. The cost of such advancement could be counted by more than money, however. Sir Robert was less than pleased when the news of the transaction reached him. There were hot words exchanged regarding it, for the elder Blackwood viewed it as an extravagant waste of funds, and when Benjamin left the house, it was without a backward glance. Father and son have not corresponded with each other since.
As a Coldstreamer, Benjamin saw service in Egypt and Denmark before being dispatched to Portugal. He was with the regiment through the campaigns of 1809 and most of 1810, inheriting command of a company at Talavera when his major was killed, despite being wounded himself. In this capacity he remained until he was ordered by his colonel to carry dispatches and letters home after the battle of Busaco. This was a particular honour and he rode hard to reach Lisbon in time to meet the mail packet appointed to carry him to London. He remained in London over the winter, having been granted leave, and he is now awaiting a promised appointment as an ADC.
Friendships
During his time in Spain, Captain Blackwood developed a close friend ship with one John Vickery, a Captain in the 60th Rifles and the younger son of James Vickery, Lord Saltash.