Charles Blasson, Doyle's Boer war dresser and secretary

I was recently re-listening to 'Doings of Doyle' podcast on Sarah LeFanu's wonderful 2020 book 'Something of Themselves: Kipling, Kingsley, Conan Doyle and the Anglo-Boer War'. At one point, the hosts remarked on the remarkable existence of Charles Blasson's diary, and its publication. Who was Charles Blasson?

As the Boer war got underway, John Langman funded the creation and staffing of a 50-bed portable hospital that was to be staffed and transported to the war. Arthur Conan Doyle was one of four civilian medical professionals recruited to the hospital (which makes me realize ACD must have maintained his medical license). The hospital operated in Bloemfontein during Doyle's time at the hospital, on the grounds of a cricket club.

Charles Blasson was a student at University Hospital, London and was one of four medical students who set sail for the Boer War in South Africa in Feburary 1900 as dressers. Blasson kept a diary of his experiences on an almost daily basis. Along with being dresser, Blasson became a secretary for Doyle. The diary describes the events and challenges of life in the hospital where typhoid and erysipelas were a risk for soldiers and hospital staff. It also mentions Doyle many times, including Blasson's work on Doyle's chapters for his book on the Boer War. Following Doyle's departure, Blasson died suddenly at Pretoria aged 23 years, and he was buried there on 4 Aug 1900.

Blasson's diary made its way back to his family in the UK after his death, and remained with them. In 2013, family member Ken Cooper transcribed the diary, identified primary sources in other hands including a letter from Doyle, photographs of Blasson, and a photograph of the headstone in South Africa. This work was compiled to create a remarkable record of one young man's role in the Boer War, and also gives us intimate insight into Doyle's time at the Langman Hospital.

The book can be purchased easily at Amazon.com and is well worth reading for all Doyleans or those interested in the Boer War.

One of the only limitations to the book (and an understandable one) is that the documents and photographs are shown in black and white, not colour. I wanted to take the opportunity to post a few of the records I could track down for those who may go searching for more information on Charles Blasson. I also reached out to Ken Cooper, the compiler and author of the book who may be able to provide some original photographs (for example of the headstone) that I can add to this blog post. As I receive those I'll update the post.

The 1881 Census for England shows Charles aged 3 living with his parents, seven siblings, and three servants. Charles' father was a General Practitioner. As a side-note, I cannot find Blasson in the 1891 census (when he was around 13).

This is the first reference to Blasson in newspapers. Spaulding Grammar School is in Lincolnshire where Blasson grew up:

Peterborough Advertiser - Wednesday 21 February 1900

C. J, Blasson, an old Spalding Grammar School boy, third son of the late, Dr. George Blasson, of Bourne, is shortly proceeding to the front as surgical dresser in the Langman Field Hospital. He was chosen with four other dressers from University College Hospital. 

The Langman Hospital received significant media attention in advance of its departure. This article in 'The Graphic' shows key members of the Hospital. Archie Langman ('Treasurer') was son of the philanthropist who created the Hospital. Among the named personnel are both Blasson and Doyle.

The Graphic - Saturday 24 February 1900

Personnel of the Langman Hospital.  The equipment of this hospital, which consists of 100 beds, with marquees and thirty-five tents, is now complete, and it left England in the Oriental for South Africa last Tuesday. The Langman Hospital, unlike other civil hospitals, is not a base hospital, but is going to the front. Mr. Archie L. Langman (lieutenant Middlesex Yeomanry), son of the donor, accompanies it as treasurer. Mr. Robert O'Callaghan, F.R.C.S., of Harley Street, Surgeon to the French Hospital in London, who is Surgeon-in-Chief, is a Specialist of repute in Abdominal Surgery. As gunshot wounds of the abdomen have been very frequent and serious during the present war, his services will be of special value to our soldiers at the front. Mr. C. Gibbs, F. R.C.S., of Harley Street, Assistant-Surgeon Charing Cross Hospital, is Surgeon Mr. H. J. Scharlieb, F.R.C.S., Harley Street, Anaesthetist to University College Hospital, is Surgeon and Anaesthetist Dr. Conan Doyle is Physician. Messrs. Hackney, Turle, Blasson, Mayes, and Burton, Senior Students and Dressers at University College Hospital, are Dressers. Major M. O'C. Drury, R.A. M.C., who has been appointed by the War Office as the Army Medical Officer in Charge, served in the Soudan Campaign in 1885, and with the Burmese Expedition, 1886-7. Mr. Howell is Quartermaster. There are also twenty Orderlies from the St. John's Ambulance Brigade, the whole personnel numbering forty-five. 

The Hospital was reported in UK newspapers and magazines, and Doyle's service was highlighted. One photograph of Doyle that appeared in The Sketch magazine shows Doyle attending a sick patient, with his dresser at his side. While not named, it is Charles Blasson. Two digitized versions are shown - one from University of Minnesota Library, the other (zoomed in) from British Newspaper Archives (the New York Public Library also has a digitized copy but is slightly inferior).

The Sketch, May 16, 1900

Dr. Conan Doyle of the Langman Hospital, attending sick - but loyal - Canadians in the ward.

Blasson next appears six months after departure when his death is reported in papers. The fact that listed cause of death, unless otherwise defined, was enteric fever speaks volumes of the challenges faced in Bloemfontein from water quality. Blasson was listed as 'driver' but persumable was meant to be 'dresser'.

London Daily Chronicle - Wednesday 08 August 1900

DEATHS FROM DISEASE, &c.
In the following list of deaths the cause, unless otherwise defined, was enteric fever.

At Pretoria. Driver C.G. Blasson 

A week later, more details were forthcoming from South Africa. We also learn a little of Blasson, including that medicine clearly ran in the family, that Blasson's work with Doyle was recognized, and that the family had received a letter from Blasson:

Sheffield Daily Telegraph - Saturday 15 September 1900

DEATH OF A LINCOLNSHIRE SURGEON IN SOUTH AFRICA. The last mail from South Africa brought particulars of the death of Mr. Charles Blasson, son of the of the late Dr. George Blasson, of Bourne, and a nephew of Dr. T. Blasson of Billingborough. The decieased volunteered for the front last February and was selected as one of the surgical dressers for the Langman Field Hospital. He was at Bleomfontein until the end of July, and then went on to Pretoria, where despite the unremitting care and attention of Dr. Scharlieb, of Harley Street, he died of sunstroke on his 23rd birthday. The deceased was accorded a military funeral and was buried amongst British officers at Pretoria, where a marble cross is being erected by his comrades to his memory. Dr. Conan Doyle appointed the deceased gentleman his private secretary in South Africa, and has written a most sympathetic letter home to his friends. He concluded by saying, "He gave his life for his country just as truly as who fell upon the battlefield."

The letter itself is shown in the book. I sources this image from a talk about Doyle in the Boer War by Doug Wrigglesworth, who had purchaesd the letter and showed it during a recorded lecture. Wriggesworth allowed the letter and portraits of Blasson to be included in Cooper's book. The letter was presumably written in the first two weeks of August 1900 - Doyle had already returned to the UK while the Langman Hospital had continued on.

Morley's Hotel,

Trafalgar Square,

London. W.C.

Dear Mrs. Blasson

I want to express to you my heartfelt sympathy with you in your grief over the loss of your son. I could hardly believe the news for of all men in the hospital he is the one whom I should have selected as the strongest and toughest. He was a very fine fellow, always cheery & bright, with a remarkably good head also. I was very fond of him. He has died in the service of his country just as truly as any man who fell upon the field and that is the noblest and most unselfish end a man can meet.

With all sympathy

Yours very truly, A Conan Doyle.

This recognition from Doyle to the Blasson family was not limited to his private correspondence. When Doyle published the first version of his book on the Boer War in October 1900, the preface closed by acknowledging Charles Blasson, who had assisted Doyle in the preparation of chapters in the hospital:

There are many who have helped me in my task, but I especially acknowledge the co-operation of Mr. BLASSON, of the Langman Hospital, now dead in the service of his country, and Mr. CHARLES TERRY, of Haslemere, who collected and arranged my material.

A. CONAN DOYLE

UNDERSHAW, HINDHEAD

September 1900.