Written mentions of Major Blake, 3 Sqn AFC

Most of the AFC leaders such as Williams, Watt, Murray-Jones, McCloughry all feature prominently in their own writings or in others writings. 4 Sqn AFC seemed to posess several who liked the pen. Major Blake from 3 Sqn AFC is to me rather unknown, I havent seen him appear in any biographic writings. 3 Sqn AFC acheived mightily and Major Blake was the Squadrons OC through their operational career. Anyone know written biographic or autobiographic information on Major Blake?



cam

Blake, Major General David. 69 Sq AFC, gets a mention in
www.nla.gov.au/raam.
H A Blake of No1 AFC M'East, no.

[Darryl]

Cam,

I'm sure there is a big article (spread over 2 issues IIRC) in C&C GB on 32Sqn. I'll see if I can dig it out weekendish... is thisthe Sqn you are looking for or is 32 a typo? I thought I recalled a Blake in the article...



But then again, I recall seeing Elvis and Roy Orboson serving Devonshire Teas in a Cafe in Pemberton........

Darryl
*

Neville,

Nice resources wasnt aware of it. Thank you. A few letters and photos arent much for a man who commanded an amazing corps squadron through their operational life :(

Is there are biographical/autobiographical works by 3 Sqn members? The Battle Below is more an operational book which charts the operations rather than the people.

Darryl,

>32 a typo

Yes. Cleaned up now. must preview .... must preview.....




cam

Cam ,and others; to same my time but not yours, have a look at the index of the 14-18 Journal of the Australian Society of WW1 Aero Historians. Index is good, well set out, but small writing.
Use search engine, asww1ah. Only one of them. Go to 14-18 Journal index, have a field day. Nice links elsewhere, too.

I just had a quick look at 3AFC's Summary of Achievements I got from the AWM and it is as I suspected. *Major David Blake was not a pilot. *ie. He doesn't have any flying hours hours in the list of pilots.

Given that when he took charge of the squadron in 1917, the British policy was for CO's not to participate in operations it is understandable but... the CO not a pilot?? Odd!

Gordon,

>Major David Blake was not a pilot. ie. He doesn't
>have any flying hours hours in the list of pilots.

He also had twice as many men to command as McClaughry or Murray-Jones did. The Battle Below (p26) mentions he was sent over to France before 3 Sqn became operational for "work experience" do you know which RFC squadron he was attached to? He was a Major at the time.



cam

Just to clarify things here, are we talking about David Valentine Jardine BLAKE? Not really an uncommon surname, Blake. If so, I think I have a letter from his daughter somewhere, but it is in my filing system unrer "W" for Where?
He gets a mention in NAA listings, with a few others.
Try David Blake. Get about 18.

Ooops. Wrong letter I think. Still not found. No children.
Found him in Who's Who in Australia for 1934, 41, 44, and '50.
'41 edition= Blake, Brigadier David Valentine Jardine, Aus. Staff Corps, i/c Admin., Southern Command since Oct 1939.
Son of William Jardine Blake, of George Town, Antigua, West Indies: b.Nov 10 1887, Parramatta NSW. ed Marist Bros Coll P'matta. first commissioned St George Eng. Rifle Regt, Dec 24 1904. appointed A. and I. Staff, Feb 1 1911;
Served Great War, commanding No.3 Sqdn AFC France, 1916-18: *2nd Wing RFC 1918, 15th Wing RAF1918, despatches twice, American Distinguished Service Medal:
Staff, 2nd Military District, 1919-'24; Bde Major 4th Infantry Bde 1924-27; General Staff Officer, Field Troops, 4th Mil Dist Adelaide, Sept. 30th 1927; GSO 4th Div., Dec 15th 1935;
A.A. and Q.M.G. 3rd Div Base, Dec 15th 1935 to Oct 12th 1939. * *m. July 1 1913, Mildred, d. George Tunks, of P'matta, no chil,: *(Then follows clubs, address etc.)

Neville,

Thanks. Cutlack has him being born in Harris Park. That dinky little train station between Parramatta and Granville that the train always bloody stops at. Blake also commanded a flight in 1 Squadron in Egypt/Palestine as well. It is still odd that someone like Blake who led a disnguished and remarkable career hasnt written a bio or hasnt figured prminently in someone else's. Maybe there is an unpublished memoir floating around the relatives of the Blake family somewhere.




cam