Percy James Blake

Personal Information
Date of Birth	24 Dec 1884
Place of Birth	Wentworth, New South Wales
Death	5 Jan 1961, aged 75
Place of Death	Victoria Park, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	30 years, 1 month
Description	5'8" (1.73m) tall; weight 154 lbs (69.9 kg); fair complexion, blue eyes, fair hair.
Occupation	storekeeper
Religion	Church of England
Address	Mundijong, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father Mr Andrew Blake
Military Information
Reg Number	4680
Date of Enlistment	4 Feb 1916
Rank	Driver
Unit/Formation	28th Battalion, 12th Reinforcement
Date of Embarkation	17 Apr 1916 - 14 May 1916
Ship Embarked On	HMAT A60 Aeneas
Date of Return	1 Jun 1919 - 8 Jul 1919
Ship Returned On	SS Somali
Fate	Returned to Australia
Monument	Mundijong
Medals	British War Medal Victory Medal

Pre War

Electoral Roll entries - 1910 - 1916 Norseman a grocer's assistant, with his brother Robert. Enlisted at Norseman.

War Service

After six weeks initial training, Percy was allocated to the 12th reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion, and he travelled with them to England.

On 14 Oct 1916 Percy proceeded overseas to France on HMT Victoria, and on 30 Oct 1916 he was taken on strength of the battalion at Dernacourt.

He was reported missing on 7 Nov 1916 and 2 days passed before he was again in the battalion's midst. The battalion's War Diary entry for the time gives us an indication that shear exhaustion would have played a part in him becoming detached from the rest of the troops.

"Relieved by 18th Battalion. Troops on relief moved back to MONTAUBAN Camp, reaching there at intervals during the day. The journey out was most trying for tired troops and all were in a fatigued condition. Everyone very wet and covered in mud."

On 20 November he reported sick (pneumonia) to hospital in France and on 14 Dec 1916 he embarked on HMHS Western Australia at Rouen for England where he was admitted to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Netley on 16 Dec 1916.

Recovered he was granted some leave and on 14 Feb 1917 he reported to the No 4 Command Depot at Wareham. On 17 Mar 1917 he was transferred to the No3 Command Depot at Hurdcott, and on 3 April he was transferred again, this time to the 70th Battalion.

on 21 Apr 1917 he reported sick to the 16th Field Ambulance Hospital, and he remained with them until 10 May, when he returned to the 70th Battalion.

On 14 Oct 1917 he departed Hurdcott for France via Southampton and six days later was again with the 28th Battalion, having joined them at Steenvorde in northern France, with 115 other reinforcements. Given his reduced capacity he was appointed a driver on 3 Nov 1917, and apart from a 1 day visit to hospital on 9 Sep 1918 he remains with them until it is time to head back to Australia.

Post War

In 1923 Percy married Ruby Etta McKenzie in the Williams District. Ruby died 11 Nov 1981 aged 86 in Como. Electoral Roll entries - 1925 - 1931 Woglin street, Wickepin storekeeper; 1936 - 1958 at 367 Albany road, Victoria Park, business manager;