Frank Blaker
| Frank Blaker | |
|---|---|
 Temporary Major Frank Blaker | |
| Born |
8 May 1920 Kasauli, Punjab, British India |
| Died |
9 July 1944 (aged 24) Taungni, Burma † |
| Buried at | Taukkyan War Cemetery, Burma |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1941–1944 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit |
Highland Light Infantry 9th Gurkha Rifles (attached) |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
Victoria Cross Military Cross |
Frank Gerald Blaker VC MC (8 May 1920 – 9 July 1944) was a British-Indian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Details
Born in Kasauli, Punjab, India,[1] Frank Blaker was 24 years old, and a Temporary Major in the Highland Light Infantry, British Army, attached to 3rd Battalion, 9th Gurkha Rifles, in the Indian Army during World War II when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
- On 9 July 1944 near Taungni, Burma (now Myanmar), Major Blaker was commanding a company which was held up during an important advance by close-range firing from medium and light machine-guns. The major went ahead of his men through very heavy fire and despite being severely wounded in the arm, located the machine-guns and charged the position alone. Even when mortally wounded he continued to cheer on his men whilst lying on the ground. His fearless leadership inspired his men to storm and capture the objective.[2]
Frank Blaker died as a result of the wounds he received in this action. His grave is located in the Taukkyan War Cemetery, 20 miles north of Rangoon (now Yangon), Burma (now Myanmar). It is located in Plot VI, Row E, Grave 2. Headstone.[3][4]
Medal Entitlement
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| Ribbon | Description | Notes |
| | Victoria Cross (VC) | 1944 [5] |
| | Military Cross (MC) | 1943 [6] |
| | 1939-45 Star | |
| | Burma Star | |
| | Defence Medal | |
| | War Medal | |
References
- ↑ See Victoria Cross Burials.
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 36715. p. 4423. 26 September 1944. Retrieved 2009-02-27.
- ↑ CWGC entry
- ↑ See Find a Grave.
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 36715. p. 4423. 26 September 1944. Retrieved 2009-02-27.
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 36102. p. 4316-4317. 22 July 1943. Retrieved 2009-02-27.
Bibliography
- British VCs of World War 2 (John Laffin, 1997)
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)