Description
British War and Victory Medal, Lance Cpl William Horace Stanley Blake, D Coy, 13th Platoon, 2nd Battalion Middlesex Regt. Killed in Action on the 1st Day of the Battle of the Somme.
“I looked at my Watch, 7:30 am. 8 minutes exactly and our Battalion was wiped out… In writing to or telling anyone else I simply say we walked into hell.” The Surviving Commanding Officer of his D Company writes after the battle.
Officially impressed: “G-12597 Pte W.H.S. Blake. Midd’x. R.”
Confirmed on the medal roll, full entitlement of medals.
With detailed file of research, medal rolls, copy service papers and a photograph of him.
Medals in excellent condition, being mounted for display on a card board.
You can read a great deal about this day and his “D” Company in the following blog article from the Emanuel at War Blog, who transcribed various letters form his Commanding Officer regarding the day.
https://emanuelschoolatwar.wordpress.com/tag/battle-of-the-somme/
William Horcae Stanley Blake, was serving with the 2nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment during the Battle of the Somme.
He was killed on the very first day, 1st July 1916, where the British Army saw their biggest ever loss.
The regiment was being led by Lieut Colonel E.T. Falkner Sandys D.S.O., who led his men into action, including young L/Cpl Blake, during the fighting they lost 650 men as casualties and Lt Col Sandys was wounded 5 times making a miraculous recovery.
Lt Col Sandys apparently knew already what was coming, Martin Middlebrook’s Book “The First Day of the Somme” Recalls:
“One Officer who was particularly worried was Lt Col E.T.F. Sandys, Commanding 2nd Middlesex. His battalion had the doubtful distinction of having to cross a greater width of No Man’s Land than any other involved in the attack. Its objective was the German trenches at the head of Marsh Valley, 750 yards away from the Middlesex Trenches. Sandys was an efficient and popular C.O. but he was very highly strung and had convinced himself that his battalion was to be launched against uncut wire and the Germans who had survived the shelling.”
He adds that in the waiting for the attack, the Colonel could not get a moment of sleep, instead he aimlessly wandered the trenches knowing the attack would become a disaster, he tried to convince all of his commanding officers but they did not listen, his fellow officers of the Middlesex chose also to ignore him thinking the attack would be “an easy success”.
He was however plagued with survivors guilt, By September 1916 he had survived but wished he had not, he wrote to a fellow Officer: “I have come to London today to take my life. I have never had a moment’s peace since July 1st.” He chose to joined his comrades and shot himself in the Cavendish Hotel, and received a posthumous DSO.
Blake was among those killed in the charge through No Man’s Land over 750 yards.
The war diary recalls:
“As soon as the leading wave left our trenches to assault, it was caught by heavy machine gun fire and suffered heavy losses. As soon as the succeeding waves came under this fire they doubled forward and before anyone reached the German Front Line the original wave formation had ceased to exist.
About 100 of all ranks succeeded in reaching the German Lines, passing over the front line they entered the 2nd line of trenches, but after a short fight, during which about half became casualties, they were forced to retire to the German Front Line.
Here, under the leadership of H.B.W. Savile, Capt and Adjutant RJ Young, 2nd Lieut PM Elliott, W Spatz and HC Hunt, the survivors proceeded to consolidate.
By 9:15 am the handful of unwounded men, numbering perhaps a dozen, were forced to retire to shell holes outside the enemy front line, where the majority remained until darkness enabled them to regain our lines.
Of the 25 Officers who took part in the assault, only 2nd Lieut H.C. Hunt remained on lines unwounded.
Of the 650 NCOs and Men who took part in the assault, a mere 50 answered their names on the early hours of July 2nd.”
After the battle, it was unclear who died, but they never came home, Blake’s family was informed he was missing presumed dead, but his mother Lavinia never gave up hope of his return, continuing to publish for over a year in the local newspapers, the Volunteer Service Gazette as late as 14th April 1917 was writing:
“HAVE YOU SEEN THESE MEN? Letters are anxiously awaited from the following lads or news from comrades regarding them:
12597 Pte W.H.S. Blake, D Co, 13th Plat., Middlesex Regiment (Missing July 1/16). Mrs Blake (Mother), 235 Drop Street, Queen’s Park, London, W, Inquiries.”
WILLIAM HORACE STANLEY BLAKE
William was a London Local, being born during July 1893 in Hendon, Middlesex.
The son of William J. Blake, a Policeman and Lavinia.
He received his education at the Duke of York’s Military School, Royal Hibernian Military School and Queen Victoria School, living in Ealing during 1901.
By 1911 he was living in Paddington working as a Solicitors Clerk.
He had actually enlisted early into the war on 4th January 1915, first joining the Army Pay Corps with number 5270.
He might have considered remaining at home, he was a Solicitors Clerk and would have been safe to stay with the Army Pay Corps and avoid any action.
On 22nd December 1915 he was “Awarded 28 Days Detention by his Commanding Officer for Improperly Conduct and neglect of duty.”
He returned to duty on 4th January 1916, having had 4 days knocked off for good behaviour.
His service papers record also a Detention Barrack Memorandum.
“I beg to report on No 5270 Pte Blake W.H. of the Army Pay Corps, who left this detention barracks on 14th January 1916, Conduct: Very Good,
Retention Earned: 4 Days,
Exercised in: Military Training.”
It was on 21st February 1916 that he officially transferred over to the Infantry, joining the Middlesex Regiment, being posted to his “D” Company on 22nd February 1916.
His service papers recall signing numerous declarations giving up his current rate of Pay with the APC to join the Infantry.
He finally got posted over for Service in France on 1st June 1916 and landed with his Battalion about 19th June.
Less than 2 weeks later he was killed in action.
