Background
Blackstaffe was born in Islington, London, and became a butcher.
Blackstaffe was born in Islington, London, and became a butcher.
He lost to Cloutte in 1902 and to Ashe in 1904, but beat them both in 1905 and 1906. At first he had difficulty in having his entry accepted for Henley Royal Regatta but competed in the Diamond Challenge Sculls in 1905 when he lost to Frederick Septimus Kelly. After this victory, Blackstaffe retired and was made a Freeman of the City of London.
He was later senior life vice-president of the Amateur Rowing Association.
He died at West Wickham, aged 83.
He was a long-standing member of Vesta Rowing Club in Putney and also a cross-country runner who represented South London Harriers in the National Championships.