Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A 1903 ‘Visit to Ireland’ M.V.O. group of four awarded to H. C. Blake, Esq., Athlone Pursuivant of Arms

The Royal Victorian Order, M.V.O., Member’s 5th Class, breast badge, silver and enamel, the reverse officially numbered ‘52’; The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Officer‘s (Brother’s) breast badge, silver and enamel, heraldic beasts in angles; British War Medal 1914-20 (Capt. H. C. Blake); Coronation 1902, silver, unnamed as issued, mounted court-style for display ansd housed in a Garrard, London, fitted case, the lid embossed ‘H. Claude Blake, Athlone Pursuivant of Arms’, traces of adhesive to reverse of awards, otherwise nearly extremely fine (4) £300-£400

M.V.O. London Gazette 11 August 1903.

Henry Claude Blake was born in 1874, the son of John Lane Blake of Dublin. He was educated at Dehstone Coll, Staffordshire, and then served as a Lieutenant in the 3rd Volunteer Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was appointed Athlone Pursuviant of Arms at the Office of Arms, Dublin Castle (where he was also Private Secretary to the Ulster King at Arms, Sir Arthur Vicars, K.C.V.O.), and was created a Member 5th Class of the Royal Victorian Order on the occasion of H.M. King Edward VII’s visit to Ireland in 1903.

Following the outbreak of the Great War, Blake was mobilised with the 13th Scottish Light Dragoons in August 1914, and then served at home attached to the staff of the Assistant Provost Marshal. He transferred to the General List on 11 November 1916, and resigned his commissioned due to ill-health on 15 June 1917. He did not qualify for a Victory Medal.

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