AE Blake

[watchdog]

This is one of more than twenty requests for information and help that I am hoping to post today. They are all in relation to TF soldiers who enlisted on or about the 5 August 1914 and almost all of whom survived the war. The common denominator is the fact that they were all patent examiners serving in the Patent Office prior to the outbreak of war.

Normally I would be able to pursue most of the basic work myself and would only be coming to all of you for help with the 'extras' but I am under some pressure of time. I hope you don't mind. But then again it's the sort of thing almost all of us enjoy – finding out about these men who fought in the Great War. So I'm hoping that you will appreciate the challenge.

The work is in support of my dissertation for the Birmingham MA in First World War studies and therefore if any of you do have information which might assist me I would be grateful if you could also quote the source of that information.

I'm not acting entirely blind of course and here is the information that I've already found out about AE Blake:

Blake attended University College London and received a B.Sc. He joined the Patent Office in July 1909. He appears to have enlisted as a Bombadier in A Bty HAC (1st City of London Horse Artillery) on or about 5 Aug 1914 and was commissioned as a 2Lt in RFA sometime in 1915. In 1915 he appears to have been serving in 33 (Arty?) Bde. At some time or other during the war he served in Ireland.

The sorts of information I'm hoping to glean are: What was his first names!!? Where were the 1st City of London Horse Artillery pre-war drill halls? Did he deploy overseas with them prior to being commissioned? Where did Blake serve as an officer in the RFA and in what roles? Any 1911 Census details? And of course anything else that might occur to all of you.

Thanks

[SteveE]

This appears to be his Medal Index Card at the National Archives...

Medal card of Blake, Alan Ewan

Corps Regiment No Rank

Royal Field Artillery Second Lieutenant

Royal Field Artillery Lieutenant

Royal Field Artillery Acting Captain

Date 1914-1920

Catalogue reference WO 372/2

Link to the London Gazette confirming his name and position at the Patent Office....http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/28276/pages/5914

Regards

Steve

[watchdog]

Thanks Steve. Another brick in the wall