BLAKE, Russell Palmer (1897-1957)
Russell Blake was born on 28 July 1897, the son of Arthur John Blake and Eva Marion nee Russell, of 'Bramerton', Barwon Heads. He was first enrolled in 1909 by A J Blake listing his address as Claremont Avenue, Geelong but again appears in the enrolment register, age 13 years, on 10 July 1910. He appears to have then continued as a boarder until December 1914.
He enlisted (No 24634) at Maryborough on 7 January 1916, having previously been in the Citizen Forces and embarked for France from Melbourne on HMAT A37 Barambah on 27 June 1916, arriving there on 24 November. He served as a Driver, Gunner and Private in France with 3rd Divisional Ammunition Column, then took leave to England in January 1918, and again late in November 1918. He returned to Australia on HMT Karmala, embarking on 1 July 1919.
Pegasus published an obituary of Russel Blake in 1957: 'Russell S Blake, who attended the College from 1909 to 1914 (sic), died after a short illness on August 31 (1957). He was 60 years of age. On leaving school he joined the staff of the Bank of NSW with which he remained all his life except for two years' service in the First World War. He took a keen interest in all sporting activities and the Returned Soldiers' League and at the time of his death was secretary-treasurer of the Linton (Vic) football Club. He leaves a widow and two Old Collegian sons, Ian (1943) and Geoff (1947).'
Sources: Based on an edited extract from Geelong Collegians at the Great War compiled by James Affleck pp141-2 (citing Pegasus; National Archives); Pegasus December 1957 p57; NAA B2455 Blake R P.