Cecil Rodolph Blake
By the time of World War I the Blake family had owned Danesbury House and estate for over a hundred years and were eminent members of Welwyn and Hertfordshire society. Members of the family had served as JPs, High Sheriffs, Board Guardians and one as MP for Newport, Isle of Wight. Many members of the family had served in the army, including Colonel Frederick Rodolph Blake who served in the Crimea with the 33rd (Duke of Wellington's) Regiment.
Cecil Blake was born in Welwyn on the 31st October 1882, and baptised at
St. Marys on December 3rd, second son of Arthur Maurice Blake and his wife Isabel. He was educated at Eton, and before enlisting had worked as a Barrister.
Just a short time before his death he had been on leave to attend the funeral of his father, who had died in Christchurch on the 5th February. His brother, Maurice had been killed in action in 1914.
On the 4th April the 10th and 12th Battalions saw action at Metz en Couture.
The two battalions attacked at 2 p.m. over quite open ground in a snowstorm. About half-way to the village the snow lifted and heavy enemy fire was en-countered. The whole village was taken by 6 p.m.
The two Battalions lost over 300 men including Captain Cecil Blake.
Serving in the same action was John William Mayes, who died the next day.
A memorial service for Cecil, along with John Mayes, Harry Ward and Percy Mardell was held in the church on the 2nd May. The large congregation included his mother and her one surviving son, Lieutenant Commander Reginald Blake RN.
At the service the Union Flag was carried up the aisle by
Corporal Henry Quinton Bullard, who just months before had lost his own son
on the Somme.
Cecil Rodolph Blake, with his brother Maurice is also commemorated on the Eton School Memorial and by a Memorial Window in St. Mary’s Church, Welwyn
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