Background
Blake was born on 6 October 1915 in Gosport, Hampshire, England.
Blake was born on 6 October 1915 in Gosport, Hampshire, England.
He was educated from 1926 to 1932 at Dauntsey"s School, an independent school in Wiltshire. He read law at the University of London, graduating Bachelor of Laws (Bachelor of Laws) in June 1938. He attended and passed the Army Staff Course at Staff College, Camberley.
He qualified as a solicitor in 1938. On the outbreak of World World War II, Blake volunteered for military service. He was one of the first 14 civilians to be commissioned into the Royal Marines during the war.
In 1943, he was posted to Italy as brigade major to Brigadier Tom Churchill of the 2nd Special Service Brigade.
He relinquished the rank of acting temporary major on 5 October 1943. He took part in the Allied landings at Anzio in January 1944.
On 17 January 1944, he was once more made an acting temporary major. He landed in Albania and was involved in the capture of Sarandë on 9 October 1944, and the liberation of Corfu on 14 October 1944.
In December 1944, he was appointed second-in-command of 45 Commando based in the Netherlands.
In January 1945, his unit came under heavy attack from Germans holding the Montforterbeek Canal. In March 1945, his commanding officer was wounded. On 23 March, he was made acting temporary lieutenant colonel, and took over command of 45 Commando.
He led them over the Maas, Rhine, Weser, Aller and Elb rivers.
In April 1945, he returned to the United Kingdom to command the Commando holding unit at Wrexham, North Wales. He was made acting temporary lieutenant colonel again on 4 September 1945.
He was demobilised in February 1946. Upon returning to civilian life, Blake was involved in creating the Royal Marines Association.
lieutenant supports past and present Marines and their families.
He became a partner in 1949. He retired from the firm as Senior Partner in 1985 but continued as a consultant until 1999. He was an elected councillor of Portsmouth City Council.
He served as Chairman of the Education Committee.
He was Lord Mayor of Portsmouth from 1958 to 1959. Outside of his main career he gave his time to a number of activities.
He was a school governor of Portsmouth Girls" High School, where he rose to be Chair, and Dauntsey"s School. Blake died on 17 November 2013 in Portuguese Royal, South Carolina, United States of America.
He was an active member of the Rotary Club, marking his sixtieth year of involvement in 2009.