Frank Gerald Blaker
Temp. Major, The Highland Light Infantry attchd to 3rd Battalion, 9th Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army
- Register No.
- 98 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Temp. Major (register: Major) all Majors →
- Unit
- The Highland Light Infantry attchd to 3rd Battalion, 9th Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army all 9th Gurkha Rifles VCs →
- Date of action
- 9 July 1944 on this day → all of 1944 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- 26th September 1944 on this day → all of 1944 →
- Born
- 8th May 1920 at Meiktila, Upper Burma
- Died
- 4th July 1944 near Taunghi, Burma. (Killed in action)
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- at Taukkyan War Cemetery, Burma
Digest of citation
On 9 July, 1944 near Taunghi, Burma, 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 in spite of being severely wounded in the arm, located the machine-guns and single-handed charged the position. 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
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
BLAKER, Frank Gerald. (Reg. No.98)
Temp. Major The Highland Light Infantry attchd to 3rd Battalion, 9th Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army London Gazetted on 26th September 1944.
Born on 8th May 1920 at Meiktila, Upper Burma.
Died on 4th July 1944 near Taunghi, Burma. (Killed in action).
Memorial on grave at Taukkyan War Cemetery, Burma.
Digest of Citation reads: On 9 July, 1944 near Taunghi, Burma, 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 in spite of being severely wounded in the arm, located the machine-guns and single-handed charged the position. 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.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Taukkyan War Cemetery, Burma
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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