Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Blaker family group:

An I.S.O. group awarded to Richard Henry Blaker, Registrar, Government of India Education Department and Sergeant, Simla Volunteer Rifles
The Imperial Service Order, G.V.R., silver, gold and enamels, unnamed, in Elkington, London case of issue; Volunteer Force Long Service Medal, E.VII.R. (Sergt. R. H. Blaker, Simla Vr Rifles) scratch to obverse right field; together with two prize medallions: Gold medal, obverse engraved within a wreath, ‘2nd PVRC 1897’, reverse inscribed, ‘Annual Course Medal won by Corpl. R. H. Blaker 1st’, 38mm., gold, 27.30g., in Kenning & Son, London fitted case of issue; Bronze medal, obverse engraved within a wreath, ‘2nd PVRC 1896’, reverse inscribed, ‘Corpl. R. H. Blaker, 2nd P.V.R.’, 38mm., bronze, in case (not of issue)

A Great War ‘Salonika’ M.C. group of ten awarded to Brigadier Eric Henry Blaker, Royal Garrison Artillery
Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed; 1914-15 Star (2 Lieut., R.G.A.); British War and Victory Medals (Major); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf, unnamed; France, Croix de Guerre 1914-1916, bronze palm on ribbon, mounted as worn; together with the King’s Badge in card box of issue; Silver medallion, obverse: crossed rifles, reverse inscribed, ‘5th Bn. Suffolk H.G.’, 45mm., base silver metal; miniature medals (2): British War and Victory Medals

A group of three attributed to Mrs Lorna Phyllis Blaker, Auxiliary Nursing Service, India
1939-45 Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45, all unnamed, mounted as worn, fine and better (21) £1200-1500

Richard Henry Blaker was born in Amritsar, India on 20 March 1866. Employed by the Indian Civil Service, he was awarded the I.S.O. (London Gazette 3 June 1916) for his service as Registrar with the Government of India Education Department. He died on 4 February 1940.

With I.S.O. bestowal document and accompanying Home Office letter and a photocopied photograph of the recipient.

Eric Henry Blaker was born in Simla, India on 23 January 1897. In the Great War he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 3 August 1915 as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 20th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. He later served with the No. 17 Mountain Battery R.G.A.. As a Lieutenant (Acting Captain) with the R.G.A. he won the M.C. for his gallant actions in Salonika (London Gazette 1 February 1919). His citation reads:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and skill in manœuvring his battery from 18th to 30th September, 1918, in front of the Blaza Planina. His battery was heavily shelled for three days during the advance up the Belles, and by good manœuvring he reduced the number of his casualties. He also silenced an enemy battery on the summit of the Belles. His courage and cheerfulness throughout inspired his men.’

Further to this, he was additionally awarded the French Croix de Guerre (London Gazette 17 March 1920).

He saw further service in the Second World War and as a Lieutenant-Colonel (Temporary Brigadier) in the Royal Regiment of Artillery he was twice mentioned in despatches - once for East Africa (London Gazette 23 June 1942) and again for Arakan (London Gazette 16 December 1943). After the war, Lieutenant-Colonel Blaker served in the Suffolk Home Guard, 1952-56 and Territorial Army. In 1968 as a Colonel and Honorary Brigadier he was appointed Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Suffolk (London Gazette 19 April 1968) - at the time he was living at Parsonage Farm, Saxtead Green, Woodbridge. Brigadier Blaker died on 13 February 1979.



With Commission Documents (2) for the Territorial Army and Home Guard; a War Office letter of thanks for service in the Home Guard 1952-56; a Certificate for the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk for Service in the Suffolk Home Guard, dated February 1956; Document of appointment to Deputy Lieutenant of Suffolk; British Legion Certificate for services rendered, dated 27 November 1965; photocopy of a letter to his wife concerning an air raid on 6 September 1940 on the convoy taking his unit from India to Egypt; copied m.i.c.; photocopied photographs of the recipient - one taken in Simla, 1921; three taken in Eritrea, and one as Deputy Lieutenant.

Lorna Phyllis Blaker (nee Wilson), the wife of Brigadier Blaker, was born in Woolwich on 17 October 1901. During the Second World War she served with the Auxiliary Nursing Service in India. She died on 3 July 1995.

With W.W.2 medal forwarding slip; letter dated 28 May 1942 from the St. John Ambulance Brigade Overseas of Bombay and a photocopied photograph of the recipient.