Percy James Blake
From Our Contribution
 | |
| 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 ; 154 lbs 69.853 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 Honour Roll |
| 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 aboard HMAT A60 Aeneas embarking on 17 Apr 1916, and disembarking at Port Tewfik on 14 May 1916. Percy's records released by the Aust Archives
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."[1]
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. Discharged by 5th Military District on 8 Jul 1919.
At the time of the Armistice the battalion was resting and rebuilding in the small village of Berteaucourt, north-west of Amiens. Soon after the Armistice the 28th Battalion and the rest of the Australian 7th Brigade is initially earmarked as part of the British 4th Army to relocate to Coblenz as part of the Army of Occupation. They began their move on 23 Nov 1918, travelling through Amiens and Peronne by train, and then marched via stops at Busigny, Ribeauville, Grand Fayt, Beaufort, and Cousolre into Belgium. At this point it was decided that the Australian troops would not proceed into Germany, but wait in Belgium for their return to Australia, with the 28th Battalion basing itself in Marcinelle, some 2 miles from the large industrial city of Charleroi.[2]
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;