Name
Cecil Rodolph Blake
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 13A and 13B
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Welwyn Village Memorial, Welwyn
St Mary the Virgin Roll of Honour, Welwyn
Blake Window, St Mary the Virgin, Welwyn
Eton War Memorial, Roll of Honour
Eton School MCC Members WWI Memorial, Lord's Pavilion
Pre War
Born on 31 October 1882 at Danesbury House, Welwyn, Herts, the second son of Arthur Maurice and Isabel Blake. Baptised at St Mary's Welwyn on 3 December 1882. He was educated at Eton. On the 1911 Census, he was a resident member of Ingram House, Residential Club in Stockwell, London, with his occupation being given as barrister.
Wartime Service
Cecil was killed in action on 4th April 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.
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 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
Brenda Palmer
Paul Jiggens, Welwyn and District History Society - www.welwynww1.co.uk, Brenda Palmer
