William Stewart Burdett Blackett was a former career soldier and served in the Boer War with the 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards. He was living in Manton Grange with his wife Prudence and young son Christopher at the time the First World War began and as a reservist was called up immediately, serving with the Leicestershire Yeomanry. William was killed at Poperinge on 24 November 1914 in the First Battle of Ypres. After his death his family put a notice in one of the national newspapers "in proud and loving memory" of Captain Blackett and including the line: "Splendid you passed, the great surrender made." He is buried at Poperinge Communal Cemetery, grave I.B.3, where the inscription on his headstone reads: "Mortally wounded Nov 20th while attached Leicestershire Yeomanry. Pro Patria." William is also remembered on the war memorial in Manton churchyard, as well as on the one to "A" Squadron Leicestershire Yeomanry at Oakham Castle. His widow Prudence opened up Manton Grange as a temporary hospital in early 1915. It treated wounded soldiers for nine months before its medical equipment was donated to Uppingham Auxillary Hospital. Prudence was later recorded as living in Arbigland, Dumfries, under the name of Mrs Blackett Swiny.