Lives of the First World War

I think this was taken in England 1919 when he was training to be an officer. He'd been awarded the Military Medal for bravery on the field in the Western Front.

John is writing to his wife Bessie

Military Medal won at Bullecourt.

Western Front (France), Nord Region, Lys Area (France), Merris Left to right, back row: 1455 Gunner (Gnr) C. M. Routledge; 1265 Gnr V. L. Parker; 1866 Gnr J. C. Adams MM; 3266 Gnr R. Gilding; 851 Gnr D. Collier; 33879 Gnr N. V. Simpson; 28823 Gnr W. J. Colborne; 29776 Gnr A. N. Ross; 1903 Bombardier (Bdr) A. Young; 1401 Gnr H. B. Kirkby; 1399 Gnr L. S. James; 2890 Gnr J. Montgomery; 3450 Gnr A. R. Beasley; 2027A Gnr C. Vernon. Third row: 2342 Gnr L. Evans; 1870A Gnr W. L. King; 2384 Gnr G. Hill; 27045 Gnr W. Davidson; 1429 Bdr A. T. Buckley; 30927 Gnr H. A. Kelleher; 1157 Bdr H. H. Walton; 1692 Bdr A. W. Rowlands; 1850 Bdr Canner; 1398 Bdr A. J. Heywood; 2381 Bdr G. H. Pearson; 1102 Bdr H. A. L. Mugridge; 2020 Gnr N. Stephens; 2071 Gnr W. R. Rigby; 2665 Gnr C. Griffiths; 4614A Gnr H. N. T. Smith. Second row: 15674 Gnr F. Fitzgerald; 1959 Bdr P. Newbon; 3711 Corporal (Cpl) V. A. Browne; 1660 Cpl G. Selby; 1856 Sergeant (Sgt) R. A. Clune; Lieutenant (Lt) W. Chaloner; Lt W. Pinder, Off

John Blake #2001, Percy Blake #4680

Recognition for his work during the Battle of Mouquet Farm, which began on 5 August 1916 and was part of the Battle of the Somme.

Birthday postcard written in July 1916 to my Grandfather, Oliver Percy Blake on his 1st birthday by his Father, John Blake serving in the AIF in France. Indications are he was in the Pozières sector of the Somme, at Mouquet Farm when this was written.

The card reads: Dear Oliver, I am sending you this card as a souvenir of your first Birthday. Some day you will be able to read it. Then it may interest you, being written by your Father at the seat of the Great War of 1914 - 19 ? I hope you and Bobby are good boys to your Mother, and do as she tells you, and you will grow to be good men. "Good-Bye," From your loving Father, France. July 1916

A thriving trade in souvenirs sprung up across the towns and villages of the Western Front. These spoons were collected by John Blake over the course of the war from the following towns (left to right): Albert, Amiens, Saint Omer, Poperinge, Bailleul, Ypres.

Group photo with John Blake top right.

Postcard

This letter reads: France Dear Bessie, Writing you a few lines on this stuff, which is a piece of the covering of the wings of a British Battle Plane, Wrecked at ___________. I am still quite well 23-11-16. I met Wille Latham today, but was only speaking to him for a few minutes. Letter following. Hope you are all well, Good-bye, best love Jack

John Blake (second from right).

Family portrait of the Blake family circa late 1915 / early 1916? Possibly taken before embarkation to Alexandria from Fremantle, Western Australia. Oliver seated on Bessie's knee, Robert (Bobbie) seated on John's knee.