Print preview Close

Showing 3 results

Archival description
University of Toronto Archives and Records Management Services (UTARMS) Gerald Edward Blake fonds
Print preview View:

Gerald Edward Blake fonds

  • UTA 1068
  • Fonds
  • 1892-1921

Fonds consists of 3 accessions

B2003-0023 (7 boxes, 1892-1921): This accession documents the short life of Gerald Edward Blake from his birth in 1892, his education at Ridley College and the University of Toronto, to his death on the battlefields of France during World War I in 1916. Series 1 and 3 contain his diaries and correspondence to family members in which he describes his experiences at school, his trips to Britain and France in 1913 and most significantly, his 13 months of service during World War I. The majority of his letters are to his mother during his months overseas, but there are also letters to his sisters, Margaret (1893-1963), Constance (1896-1979) and his brother, Verschoyle (1899-1971). Some of these letters are attached to typescript copies, prepared by his brother Verschoyle prior to 1971. Capt. Blake also sent postcards annotated by him which provide a photographic record of British army life in camp, as well as official coloured war service postcards of the British army in action. Other postcards of street scenes in France and Britain helped to illustrate the places he had been including the town of Pozières near which he was killed in 1916 (Series 5). Other war records include his military orders and notes while at the front, and his copy of active service bible. Correspondence and photographs also document his close friendship with his cousins Hume Wrong (1894 – 1954; BA 1915) and Harold Wrong (b.1891; BA 1913), who was also killed in action in July 1916. After Gerald’s death, Hume Wrong assisted Mrs. Blake in making arrangements for her son’s grave site in France and sent home photographs of the cemetery which he visited in 1920-1921 (Series 5). In addition, Mrs. Blake received other remembrances of her son’s service such as a commemorative medal from the British Army, a copy of the history of his battalion’s service in the War and a copy of Volume II of the British Roll of Honour (Series 4).

B2004-0028 (2 files, 1902-1914): Original diploma of Gerald Blake awarded for Bachelor of Arts degree, University of Toronto, 1914; photocopies of letters from Gerald Blake's father, Edward Francis Blake, to administrators at schools (St. Andrews College, and Ridley College) attended by Gerald Blake, 1902-1904. (Photocopies are from original letterbook of E.F. Blake to be given to the Archives of Ontario).

B2006-0025 (1 file, 1915): Four letters written by Gerald Blake to his sister, Constance and his mother in 1915 while serving in W.W. I. Also includes typescript of "Dedicatory Prayer" on death of Gerald Blake.

Blake, Gerald Edward