John Blackburn

John Blackburn, (3 December 1947 – 1 October 2021) was a British Anglican priest and chaplain. He served as Archdeacon for the Army from 1999 to 2004 and Chaplain General of the Royal Army Chaplains' Department from 2000 to 2004. Before and after his service in the British Army, he was a parish priest in the Diocese of Monmouth of the Church in Wales.

Early life and education Blackburn was born on 3 December 1947 in Newport, Gwent, Wales. His father served in Merchant Navy and his mother managed a tailoring shop. During this time, he completed a Diploma of Theology (DipTh) at University College, Cardiff, and a Diploma in Pastoral Studies (DPS) at St Michael's. He was assigned to the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment. On 30 January 1981, he transferred to a regular commission. He was promoted to Chaplain to the Forces 3rd Class (equivalent in rank to major) on 30 January 1982, and to Chaplain to the Forces 2nd Class on 1 January 1990 (equivalent in rank to lieutenant colonel). In 1995, he was appointed Assistant Chaplain-General West and Wales, attached to the 5th Division. Then, from 1997, he was Assistant Chaplain-General of the 2nd Division, based in York. As the most senior Anglican chaplain in the RAChD, he was appointed the Archdeacon for the Army in the Church of England in 1999. From 2001 to 2004, he was also an honorary canon of Ripon Cathedral;

After leaving the military, Blackburn returned to the Diocese of Monmouth. From 2014 until his death, he held permission to officiate in the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon.

Honours On 30 September 1996, Blackburn was appointed an Honorary Chaplain to the Queen (QHC). In the 2004 New Year Honours, he was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB).