Herbert William Blake

Rank:

Private

Regimental number:

11554

Unit at enlistment:

4th Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Date of death:

October 4th, 1919

Cemetery:

Mount Hope Cemetery, Soldiers' Plot, Brantford, Ontario

Birth country:

England

Birth county:

Essex

Birth city:

Romford

Address at enlistment:

14 Colborne Street West, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

63 Alexandra Road, St. John's Wood, London, England

Trade or calling:

Willow worker

Employer:

Brantford Willow Works

Religious denominations:

Church of England

Marital status:

Married

Age at enlistment:

Image gallery:

Letters and documents

Cause: Valvular Disease of the Heart - the patient was admitted to hospital suffering failing compensation. He gradually declined as the conditions did not respond to medicine and rest. There was marked edema and dyspnea. "Death due to Service."
Location: Speedwell Hospital, Guelph, Ont.

BX October 6, 1919

There passed away in Guelph on Saturday a Brantford veteran of the Great War, Herbert William Blake. The deceased went overseas in 1915 with the 4th Battalion and after his return he never regained his strength. He was in the Military hospital in Guelph for some time before the end came. For a time he was on military police duty in London. Before going overseas he was employed at the willow works in the city. To his bereaved wife sincere sympathy is expressed; she is staying with Mrs. Knowles, 17 Winniett Street. The remains will be brought to the city for burial and the funeral will be held from Thorpe’s undertaking parlors on Tuesday.

BX October 8, 1919

The funeral of the late Private Herbert William Blake took place yesterday. The remains were brought from Guelph, where Private Blake passed away in the military hospital. Capt. Rev. C.E. Jeakins conducted funeral services in Thorpe Brothers’ undertaking parlors, after which the following six comrades laid the remains away in the Soldiers’ Plot in Mount Hope Cemetery: W. Wakeling, J. MacDonald, W. Jarvis, F. Sweet, G. Knowles and T. Knowles.

BX March 22, 1918

Veterans Met Their Returning Comrades

The veterans who slipped into Brantford on the Hamilton radial at 11 o’clock Wednesday night were met at the station by seven of their old comrades-in-arms. The secretary of the G.W.V.A. and five of the members of the G.W.V.A. spent the evening going from station to station, meeting train after train, until the arrival near midnight of the men they sought. There were nine of them – Privates Blake, Powell, Massengale, Knowles, “Mickie,” Duff, “Dusty,” Rhodes, King, Ritchie and Anderson. They were all members of the “Mad Fourth,” who had left Brantford in the early days of the war. Four of them left direct to their homes, but five went over to the Returned Soldiers’ home, where a couple of hours were spent talking over old times. Privates Massengale, Powell and Blake remained at the home all night, the two former staying there at present, since they have no friends in the city.