Jul 17, 1890
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Born in Pontefract, Yorkshire, England to Edward
and Sarah Elizabeth (nee Franklyn) Blake
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Jan 28, 1915
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Married to Sarah Jane Evelyn Van Alstyne in
Kingston, Ontario.
William Blake listed his occupation as Soldier
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Feb 23, 1915
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Attested into the Royal Canadian Engineers CEF in
Tidworth, England
Ø Number 45244
Ø Next of kin given as Mrs.
Sarah Jane Evelyn Blake, wife, 180 Barrie St., Kingston, Ontario
o
There
is a note to also notify Mrs. E. Blake, 261 Scott Ellis Gardens, St. John’s
Wood, London, England
Ø Previous occupation given as
Electrician and Engineer Clerk
Ø Previous military experience
given as Royal Canadian Engineers Permanent Force for 9 years
Ø Religion given as Church of
England
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Apr 22, 1915
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Attached to the Canadian Engineering Training
Depot in Shorncliffe
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May 21, 1915
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TOS (Taken On Strength) Canadian Engineering
Training Depot in Shorncliffe
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Sep 13, 1915
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Transferred to the 2nd Division 5th
Field Company Canadian Engineers
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Sep 1, 1917
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Promoted to rank of Warrant Officer 1st
Class
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Jun 5, 1918
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Transferred to the 5th Battalion
Canadian Engineers
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Jun 27, 1918
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Proceeded to France
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Jul 22, 1918
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Commissioned to the rank of Lieutenant per London
Gazette #30851
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Jul 23, 1918
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Transferred to the 2nd Division
Pontoon Bridging Transport Unit
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Sep 26, 1918
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Granted 14 days leave to England
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Dec 2, 1918
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Awarded the Military Cross per London Gazette
#31043
This was awarded for his actions during the
fighting at Canal du Nord, France
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Jan 24, 1919
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Granted 14 days leave to England
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Mar 30, 1919
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Attached to the 21st Battalion for the
purpose of returning to Canada with the battalion
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Apr 3, 1919
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Embarked the Western Australia in Havre, France
On disembarking in England posted to “P” Wing in
Witley pending return to Canada
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May 6, 1919
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Presented with his Military Cross by King George
V at Buckingham Palace in London
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May 14, 1919
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Embarked the SS Caronia in Southampton
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May 22, 1919
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Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded
by train to Kingston, Ontario for discharge
There is no date given in his file for that discharge
Following his discharge, the British War Medal
and Victory Medals were sent to him c/o Adjutant, Royal Canadian Engineers
Headquarters, Ottawa, Ontario
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Sep 11, 1920
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Departed Canada for England to attend a course of
instruction.
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Jun 8, 1922
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Embarked the SS Melita in England to return to
Canada from his course. He claimed
that his fair was paid for by the Royal Canadian Engineers and he proceeded
to Kingston, Ontario on disembarking
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Dec 8, 1922
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Received a certificate of Equitation from the
Royal School of Cavalry, Toronto, Ontario
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