Geoffrey Stuart Blake
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Geoffrey Stuart Blake was born on 24 May 1896 in Nottingham and was the eldest son of Arthur Ernest and Florence Emily Blake (née Howitt). His father Arthur Ernest was born in 1869 in Brampton, Derbyshire, and his mother Florence Emily Howitt was born in December 1869 in Nottingham. They were married in 1895 (Bingham Registration District) and had five children who were born in Nottingham: Geoffrey Stuart b. 24 May 1896, Robert Anthony b. 1897, Marjorie b. 1898, Olive Joan b. 1899 and Kenneth Arthur b. 1901. Geoffrey and Robert were baptised at Radford All Saints, Geoffrey on 2 July 1896, while their sisters were baptised at Nottingham St Andrew. The family was living at 43 Burns Street, Nottingham, when Geoffrey was baptised in 1896 but had moved to Elm Bank, Nottingham, by the time Robert was baptised the following year.The family was still living at 9 Elm Bank, Nottingham, at the time of the 1911 Census; Arthur Ernest, a stock broker, Florence Emily and three of their five children, Marjorie, Olive Joan and Kenneth Arthur. Also in the household were three female servants. Geoffrey Stuart (14) was a student/boarder at St Andrew's College, Bradfield, Reading, while his younger brother Robert was a pupil at Bradfield College's junior school.The family later moved to West Leake Manor where the eldest daughter, Marjorie, died on 1 December 1918. The second son, Robert, served in the Royal Field Artillery during the war (2nd Lieutenant) and later in the RFC/RAF (Lieutenant/Flying Officer). In July 1918 he was posted to 63 Squadron. Robert was wounded on 26 October 1918 and discharged from hospital to duty on 30 November. He transferred to the unemployed list on 6 May 1919. Robert married Annie Isobel Boobbyer (b. abt 1898), the daughter of Philip Boobbyer MD, Medical Officer of Health (Nottingham), at All Souls, Langham Place, London, in 1925. Robert was a stockbroker and living in London. They had two sons, Richard PA [Anthony] b. 1926 and Robert E. b. 1929 (A/M/J). They lived on Melton Road, West Bridgford.A member of the Nottingham Aero Club, Robert gained a Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate at the Nottingham Aero Club on 28 February 1928. He was killed at Hucknall Aerodrome on 22 August the same year when the de Haviland Moth biplane he was piloting crashed and burst into flames killing both him and his passenger (see 'Extra information'). Arthur Ernest Blake was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1920 and knighted the same year. He died in Durban, South Africa, on 25 February 1935 (see 'Extra information').In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled, Florence and her unmarried daughter Olive, both of private means, were living on Lenton Road, The Park. Florence died at her home on 21 August 1942. Olive married John Peacock in 1943.
Lieutenant Geoffrey Stuart Blake served as assistant staff officer to the Chief Engineer, Third Army, after leaving the Royal Military Academy Woolwich and subsequently joined the 203rd Field Company, Royal Engineers. He landed in France on 27th February 1917 and was killed in action on 5th September 1917. He is buried in Villers-Faucon Communal Cemetery Extension (grave ref. 1.E.3).He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.CWGC - History of Villers-Faucon Communal Cemetery Extension (extract). The village of Villers-Faucon is approximately 17km from the town of Peronne. 'Villers-Faucon was captured by the 5th Cavalry Division on 27 March 1917, lost on 22 March 1918, and retaken by III Corps on 7 September 1918. The Commonwealth graves in the Communal Cemetery are those of soldiers who died in February-August 1917, or (in the case of two who are buried in Row B) in September 1918. They were made by the cavalry, the 42nd (East Lancashire) Division, and other fighting troops ... The adjoining Extension was begun in April 1917 and used until March 1918. It was then used by the Germans, and Commonwealth burials were resumed in September and October 1918. Further Commonwealth graves were brought in after the Armistice from a wide area round Villers-Faucon.' (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Eldest son of Sir Arthur E and Lady Blake West Leake Manor Notts' The original battlefield cross marking Geoffrey's grave is now in Bradfield College Chapel. (thereturned.co.uk/crosses/bradfield-college)WMR27317. St Helena, West Leake: brass plaque on the south wall commemorating Geoffrey Stuart Blake, inscription: 'To the glory of God and in loving memory of Geoffrey Stuart Blake, Lieut, Corps of Royal Engineers, born 25 May 1896, killed in action 5 September 1917 and buried at Villiers Faucon, eldest son of Arthur Ernest Blake JP and Florence Emily his wife. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept my faith.' (KJV, 2 Timothy 4:7)Nottingham Evening Post, Tuesday 11 September 1917: ‘Killed. Lieut. GS Blake. Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Blake, of West Leake Manor, have received official intimation that their eldest son, Second-Lieut. Geoffrey Stuart Blake of the Royal Engineers, was killed in action on Wednesday last. The deceased officer, who was only 21 years of age, was born in Nottingham, where his father has a wide circle of friends, and educated at Bradfield College, Berks. He was head of the school, when he finished his course in 1915, but instead of proceeding to Trinity College, Cambridge – the original intention – he sat for, and passed, the examination for entrance to the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich, and was given his commission in February, 1916, proceeding to active service twelve months later.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)Probate proven Nottingham on 13th November 1917, Geoffrey Stuart Blake of West Leake Manor, Nottinghamshire, 2nd Lt in HM Army died 5th September 1917 in France. Effects of £311 0 shillings and 3 pence. Administration awarded to Arthur Ernest Blake, stock and share broker.Nottingham Evening Post, 24 August 1928: report of the inquest on the Hucknall air crash victims, Robert Anthony Blake, a qualified pilot, and William Richardson (37) an inspector with Nottingham Corporation's Health Department. The jury’s verdict was one of ‘accidental death.’ Nottingham Evening Post, 27 August 1928: report of Robert’s funeral at Edwalton Church.Nottingham Evening Post, 26 February 1935 (photograph): report of the death from heart failure on 25 February of Sir Arthur Blake who had arrived at Durban (SS Carnarvon Castle) only a few days before.Nottingham Evening Post, 25 August 1942: report of the funeral of Lady Blake (Florence Emily) at West Leake Church where she was buried. Mourners included Olive Blake, Mrs RA Blake (daughter in law) and grandsons Anthony and Robert Blake (grandsons).West Leake St Helena, family memorial: ‘In loving memory of Sir Arthur Ernest Blake KBE of West Leake Manor sometime High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire died 25th February, 1935, aged 66 years and Florence Emily his beloved wife died 21st Aug., 1942, aged 72 yrs. Also their children Geoffrey Stuart killed in action 5th Sept. 1917 aged 21yrs. Robert Anthony killed flying 22nd Aug., 1928, aged 31 years. Marjorie died 1st December, 1918, aged 20 yrs. This window is dedicated by Olive Joan Peacock to the treasured memory of her parents, brothers and sister.’ (southwellchurches.nottingham.ac.uk/west-leake)
