Blake C E N Major MC Royal Field Artillery
BLAKE, CHARLES EDWIN NORMAN, M.C., Major, Royal Field Artillery, уг. 8. of Charles Blake, of Kingswood, Beckenham, Sheffield Steel Manufacturer, by his wife, Elizabeth, dau. of William Cundy, of Newry, co. Down; b. Camberwell, London, S.E., 4 April, 1886; educ. Cranleigh School, where he was a Cadet in the School Corps; having left school, joined the Artists’ Rifles Territorials in 1906, and served five years with that regiment; retired in 1913, but at once, on the outbreak of war in Aug. 1914, rejoined his old corps, and volunteered for active service in its Transport Section, serving with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from Oct. 1914; obtained a commission in the Special Reserve, and was gazetted 2nd Lieut. R.F.A. 20 Aug, 1915, being promoted Lieut. May, 1917, Capt. Sept. 1917, and Major 18 June, 1918; during his four years in France he saw much fighting, and was killed in action near Soissons 30 July, 1918, when in command of his battery. Buried at Chazelle. His Commanding Officer, Col. G. B. Daubeny, wrote: “He was instantaneously killed by a shell, together with two other officers in the battery, which he has commanded with gallantry and distinction. In him I lose a good officer and a personal friend. He was one of the most popular officers in the brigade, all ranks of which will greatly feel his death.” He was awarded the Military Cross [London Gazette, 1 Jan. 1918], for an act of conspicuous bravery; unm.
Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5