William Henry Blake MC


Jul 17, 1890

Born in Pontefract, Yorkshire, England to Edward and Sarah Elizabeth (nee Franklyn) Blake

 

Jan 28, 1915

Married to Sarah Jane Evelyn Van Alstyne in Kingston, Ontario.

William Blake listed his occupation as Soldier

 

Feb 23, 1915

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

 

Apr 22, 1915

Attached to the Canadian Engineering Training Depot in Shorncliffe

 

May 21, 1915

TOS (Taken On Strength) Canadian Engineering Training Depot in Shorncliffe

 

Sep 13, 1915

Transferred to the 2nd Division 5th Field Company Canadian Engineers

 

Sep 1, 1917

Promoted to rank of Warrant Officer 1st Class

 

Jun 5, 1918

Transferred to the 5th Battalion Canadian Engineers

 

Jun 27, 1918

Proceeded to France

 

Jul 22, 1918

Commissioned to the rank of Lieutenant per London Gazette #30851

 

Jul 23, 1918

Transferred to the 2nd Division Pontoon Bridging Transport Unit

 

Sep 26, 1918

Granted 14 days leave to England

 

Dec 2, 1918

Awarded the Military Cross per London Gazette #31043

This was awarded for his actions during the fighting at Canal du Nord, France

 

 

 

Jan 24, 1919

Granted 14 days leave to England

 

Mar 30, 1919

Attached to the 21st Battalion for the purpose of returning to Canada with the battalion

 

Apr 3, 1919

Embarked the Western Australia in Havre, France

  

On disembarking in England posted to “P” Wing in Witley pending return to Canada

 

May 6, 1919

Presented with his Military Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace in London

 

May 14, 1919

Embarked the SS Caronia in Southampton

  

 

May 22, 1919

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

 

Sep 11, 1920

Departed Canada for England to attend a course of instruction. 

 

Jun 8, 1922

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

 

 

Dec 8, 1922

Received a certificate of Equitation from the Royal School of Cavalry, Toronto, Ontario

 

 

 



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