Henry Robert Blaker

Henry Blaker had served as an officer in the 14th Battalion, Tank Corps in WW1, being awarded The Military Cross for gallantry during the capture of Preux on 4th November 1918.  He relinquished his commission in 1920 on leaving the Army. He was the son of Chertsey's Town Criers, his mother becoming Britain's first female Town Crier when she took over from his father on his call up. He was commissioned from the ranks having previously served with 7th Dragoons.

The Motcombe Home Guard papers record a request for HR Blaker (on 31st May 1941) to be transferred from the Motcombe platoon to Auxiliary Units. This confirms he was in the normal Home Guard initially