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Edwin Blake was born in VIC (possibly at Beaufort), on the 31st of March 1887, to Edwin Blake and Margarethe Schultze. Two of his brothers, William and Hector, are also remembered in the Avenue. Edwin was married to Isabelle Bradshaw and had one child, Molly born in August 1916.
Edwin had been living in New Zealand for nine years and working as a storeman, at the Champion Confectionery Company in Wellington, when he enlisted in the NZEF Field Company 10th Reinforcements on the 16th of November 1915 - his parents had lived in Bacchus Marsh, VIC - giving his mother, living in Wellington, NZ as next of kin. He embarked for England in March 1916 aboard the HMNZT Willochra(4) and was promoted to Corporal, then temporary Sergeant, in the 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade, disembarking at Devonport, England, in June.
His rank of Sergeant was confirmed, then he transferred to the Machine Gun Company as a temporary Quartermaster Sergeant, shortly thereafter to be appointed Company Quartermaster Sergeant. In November he was hospitalised for two weeks with Scabies and reverted to the rank of Sergeant. Later in November he was hospitalised for a month with Rheumatism (a condition which was noted when he enlisted). In January 1917 he was hospitalised for two months with Myalgia and in early March the Medical Board classified him unfit. He spent a further month in hospital with chronic Rheumatism before embarking for New Zealand in April 1917.
Edwin returned to New Zealand in July and was discharged from the NZEF on the 3rd of August 1917. A week after his discharge he applied to re-enlist and was classified fit for Home Service.
Edwin died in 1967 aged 80.
He is listed on the Shire of Bacchus Marsh Roll of Honour and the Bacchus Marsh & District Roll of Honour. He is also remembered at the Online Cenotaph, New Zealand.
L; perhaps he had a nickname?
Tree Position (accuracy ±1 tree) -37.6776015530631, 144.45049110939576
Last updated by lee, Mon, 03 May 2021 15:21:35
