Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
1985.278.002 |
Object Name |
photograph |
Description |
Black and white, three-quarter length portrait photograph of Private Robert Blake Allan in soldier's uniform. The soldier is holding his cap in his left hand and a baton in his right hand. A photographer's stamp is on the bottom left corner. |
Year Range from |
1914 |
Year Range to |
1918 |
Medium |
cardstock |
Photographer |
Gibson |
Place |
Victoria, British Columbia |
Provenance |
Private Robert Blake Allan 77320 Born May 29, 1893 (on enlistment papers) / 1895 (Other sources) in Chicago, Illinois. Accountant who lived at 412 Silica Street in Nelson and was employed by Wood, Vallance Hardware Company. Religion was Presbyterian; member of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church. Also belonged to the Nelson Rowing Club. Left Nelson with the 2nd contingent, and enlisted with the 30th Battalion in Victoria on November 9th. Left Canada February 23rd, 1915. In the battle of Festubert, while with the 16th Battalion, he won the respect of his comrades through voluntarily carrying out the injured, despite heavy shelling. Shortly after that same battle, on his 20th birthday, shells fell through the roof of where he and some other soldiers were resting in reserve. Blake was seriously wounded in the stomach and legs, and died in hospital on May 31, 1915; 20 years old. Buried in Chocques Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Known family: Parents – Robert Burns Allan and Lena Zealand Allan; Unknown relation – Wilfred Allan. |
People |
Allan, Robert Blake Gibson |