Name
Cecil Rodolph Blake
31 Oct 1882
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
04/04/1917
34
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Captain
828
King's Royal Rifle Corps
10th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 13 A and 13 B.
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Welwyn Village Memorial, Blake Window, St Mary the Virgin, Welwyn, Trinity College WW1, Oxford, Old Etonians of KRRC WW1&2, Eton College
Pre War
Cecil Rodoph Blake was born on 31 October 1882 at Danesbury House, Welwyn, Herts, the second son of Arthur Maurice Blake and Isabel Blake (nee Crawley). He was baptised at St Mary's, Welwyn on 3 December 1882 and was one of eight children.
On the 1891 Census the family were living at Danesbury, Welwyn with 20 servants. His father was said to be "living on own means" as a landed proprietor. By the time of the 1901 Census Cecil was a Boarder at Eton College, Bucks where he was at school, prior to attending Trinity College, Oxford.
By the 1911 Census, he was a resident member of Ingram House, Residential Club in Stockwell, London, with his occupation being given as barrister. His parents and five sisters were then living at East Close, Christchurch, Hants having moved out of Danesbury in 1902, which they eventually sold in 1919, having rented it out for several years.
Wartime Service
Cecil joined the Inns of Court Training Corps as Private 828 being made 2nd Lieutenant on 19 Sep 1915. He was posted to King's Royal Rifle Corps and went to France on 31 July 1915 with 10th Battalion, KRRC.
He was killed in action on 4th April 1917 when his battalion saw action at Metz en Couture over open ground during a snowstorm. About half-way to the village the snow lifted and heavy enemy fire was encountered. The whole village was taken by 6 p.m. His remains were not recovered and he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.
Additional Information
Early in 1917 he had been given leave to attend his father's funeral, who died 5th February. A memorial service for Cecil was held on 2nd May. The congregation included his mother and her one surviving son, Lieutenant Commander Reginald Blake RN.
Cecil and brother Maurice (killed in action in 1914) are also commemorated on the Eton College Memorial and by a Memorial Window in St. Mary’s Church, Welwyn.
Probate was granted to his sister Evelyn Blake with effects of £6596 6s 4d. His address was given as Danesbury, Welwyn & East Close, Hinton Admiral, Hants. She also received his pay owing of £152 18s 2d.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper, Brenda Palmer
Paul Jiggens, Welwyn and District History Society,- www.welwynww1.co.uk, Brenda Palmer
