Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Scotland-born on the Ise of Skye, William McInnes was Blake’s father who emigrated from Scotland, eventually signing up to fight in WWI, enlisting at Keswick. He was allocated the number 2397 in June 1916 with the 27th Battalion 5th reinforcement. His war was short-lived as one week after being appointed as Lance Cpl in France, he received a gunshot wound to his right shoulder and back in November ’16. Pronounced dangerously ill, he was hospitalised and eventually returned to Australia where he was discharged in January ‘17. His wounding meant that he was able to exist on a war pension.
He married Henrietta May, having two sons, Blake, born in Adelaide on the 23rd September 1918 and Colin who later served in the Navy.
Blake attended Underdale School before completing his education at Adelaide High School. He was then able to gain employment with the S.A. Railways as an engine cleaner and devote some time to being part of the Militia. However, with the outbreak of WWII, aged 21, Blake was discharged from the Militia on the 30th June, immediately enlisted on the 5th July ‘40 to follow in his father’s footsteps.
Blake was allocated to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion, given the number SX7877. For the new soldiers, initial days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, before they headed to Woodside in the Adelaide Hills for their preliminary training.
Blake was found being absent without leave for a few hours in September and at the start of October. The subsequent loss of pay was galling in light of the joyous announcement of his engagement to Kathleen Joyce Skinner from Murray Bridge on October 23rd ’40 during his pre-embarkation leave. Following that leave, he returned to the 2/48th Battalion which then embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940, arriving on the 19th December 1940.
Initial news was that Blake had been wounded on May 12th ’41 during an air attack at Tobruk. His record indicates that he sustained a gunshot wound to his left forearm and scalp, causing him to be evacuated to hospital. The Adelaide News reported that month that ‘Pte. Blake McInnes, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. McInnes, of Foster street, Lancaster, who is reported wounded in action, left with a South Australian infantry battalion last October. He was employed as a cleaner by the South Australian Railways before his enlistment. He was educated at the Underdale School and Adelaide High School. His father served in the last war with the original 27th Battalion, and like his son, was wounded early.’
Whilst he was recovering Blake attended the Infantry Trig Battalion before finally returning to his own 2/48th Battalion. In November that year he was appointed L/Corporal. Sadly, he was not to serve for any length of time in this role. Two years after enlisting, 23-year-old Blake was killed in action on the 22nd July ’42. At that stage, orders had been received to capture West Point of Tel el Eisa in a dawn attack. John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan describes the ferocious encounter.
“When the troops were well forward of the start-line they came under terrific fire from shells and mortars from the front and left and suffered heavy casualties. With the slow, deliberate movement of perfectly trained soldiers both companies continued the advance in perfect formation, over ground that trembled and erupted with vicious explosions. Through this, sometimes obscured by the smoke and dust, the men moved, and, as they advanced, the fire kept pace with them, leaving behind the still shapes of fallen men among the camel bush and sand.”
Initially his fellow soldiers from the 2/48th buried him in the field at Tel El Eisa with others from his Battalion killed at a similar time. The news of his death and others who had fallen with him was announced in the August edition of the Adelaide Chronicle. SX7254 Pte. Robert T. Elliott, 2/48th Adelaide. SX7354 Pte. Herbert. C. P. Jones, 2/48th, Yundi, SX7877 L-Cpl. Blake H. Mclnnes, 2/48th Lancaster, SX7343 Fte. John E. Miller, 2/48th Parkside. SX7535 Cpl. Patrick O'Loughlin, 2/48th Plnnaroo. SX8094 Cpl. Walter H. Promnitz, 2/48th Waikerie. SX8881 Pte. James McA. Sutherland, 2/48th Millicent. SX11350 Pte. Keith E. Treagus, 2/48th Kyancutta.
Blake’s family and his fiancée Kathleen posted tributes to Blake following their tragic news.
Advertiser Thursday 13 August 1942, McINNES.—On July 22, killed in action In Egypt, Blake Humphreys, dearly beloved son of H. and W. Mclnnes, 11 Foster St. Lancaster, loving brother of Colin, grandson of Mrs. S. Stanford. Col. Light Gardens, and Mrs. W. Mclnnes, of Isle of Skye, Loving memories. McINNES.—On July 22, killed in action, Egypt, L/Cpl. Blake, loved friend of Kathleen.—Ever remembered.
His medals, the 39/45 Star, African Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal plus a scroll were all posted in June ’50. However, by that time Blake’s father, William continued to have ill-health and died in the Repatriation Hospital in December ’49. He was later buried in the West Terrace Cemetery. The Chronicle in December carried the details: ‘McINNES.—On December 12, at Repatriation Hospital, Daws Road William, beloved husband of Hettie McInnes, and loving dad of Blake (dec. Second A.I.F.), Colin, father- in-law of Joan and son of the late Marie and William McInnes, (Isle of Skye, Scotland). Aged 61 years. At rest.’
Blake is remembered on the Alamein Memorial Column 93 in Egypt as are 28-year-old SX9327 Lieutenant Thomas H. Bowman from Ardrossan and 34-year-old WX8898 William L. Laird from Edinburgh, Scotland. All are from the 2/48th Battalion.
Blake’s family, fiancée, friends and fellow soldiers continued to remember him in the ensuing years.
Advertiser Thursday 22 July 1943, McINNES A token of remembrance of Blake, killed In action July 22. 1942 in Egypt. A cheerful smile, a heart of gold. The dearest pal a world could hold. —Inserted by Yvonne Rowles. McINNES On July 33. 1942 killed in action L-Cpl. Blake. In silence we remember. —Mr. and Mr. H. Skinner. Murray Bridge. McINNES. —In memory of our pal Blake, killed in action July 22 1942. To be together in the same old way would be our deepest wish today. -lnserted by cobbers. Fred and Bert Tonkin. McINNES.—In loving memory of Blake, killed in action July 22. 1942. Deep in our hearts a memory is kept of one we will never forget. —inserted by Mr. and Mrs. C. Starr. York. McINNES. —In loving memoir of Blake, killed in Egypt. 1942. To be together in the same old way is the dearest wish of our hearts today. —Aunt Elizabeth, Uncle Vic, Harry (AIF.). Kath, Shirley, and Ross. McINNES.—In loving memory of Blake, killed in action, Egypt. At the going dawn of the sun and in the morning we will remember them. —Aunty Kath, Uncle Joe. cousin Max A.I-F ret. Kevin, Aileen, Don. McINNES.—Memories of my beloved Blake, killed in action. July 22. 1342. He'll walk beside me through the passing years. —His brother. Colin R-A-N. McINNES. —In loving memory of our beloved son, Blake Humphreys, 2/48th, who made the supreme sacrifice July 22. 1942. at Tel-el-Eisa. His precious life he gave dearly. —Loved and deeply mourned by mother and dad (Ist AXF.). McINNES. —In loving memory of my dearly loved grandson Blake, killed in action July 22. 1942. A little token true and tender to show, dear Blake, we still remember. —Grandma Stanford and Uncle Jim (AIF). McINNES —A tribute of respect to Blake, killed in action. July 22. 1942. He died for his country. —From his pal, Colin Starr (A.IF. returned). McINNES —In loving memory of Blake, killed in action. July 22. 1942.— Always remembered by Mr. and Mrs. Tonkin and girls.
Advertiser Monday 22 July 1946, McINNES.—Treasured memories of our beloved son Blake Humphreys, who made the supreme sacrifice. July 22. E. Alamein. A loving smile, a happy face, a broken link we can never replace. — Mother and dad. McINNES.—In proud memory of Blake, killed in action. Egypt. July 22. 1942. In silence we remember. —Inserted by Phil and Mavis. McINNES. SX7877. Cpl. B. H.—In loving memory of my dear brother Blake, called to a higher service. July 22. 1942. His presence a beautiful memory, his absence a silent sorrow. —Colin. McINNES.—In proud and loving memory of dear Blake, late 48th Bat., killed at El Alamein, July 22, 1942. Cherished memories. —Remembered by Uncle Vic, Aunt Elizabeth Kadow and family. McINNES.—In loving memory of my dear grandson Blake, killed at El Alamein. July 22. My thoughts are with you always. —Inserted by Grandma Stanford. McINNES.—Dear Blake, killed at El Alamein. We remember. McINNES. L/Cpl. B. H., 2/48 Bat. — A tribute to the memory of our pal Blake, killed El Alamein July 22. 1942. —Ever remembered by Fred and Bert Tonkin. McINNES, L/Cpl Blake. —In memory of a fine lad, paid supreme sacrifice. El Alamein, July 22. 1942.—Always remembered by Tonkin family. McINNES, 2/48th. —In memory of Blake, killed in action. July 22. 1942, El Alamein. One of the best. —Always remembered by his pal Colin Starr.
Advertiser Tuesday 22 July 1947, McINNES.—Treasured memories of our beloved son Blake Humphreys, who made the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein. All that it meant to lose you we alone know —So dearly loved by mother and dad. McINNES.—In proud and loving mememory of my dear brother Blake, killed in action, El Alamein, 2/48th. A soldier and a man—Colin. McINNES.—In loving memory of our dear nephew, and cousin Blake, killed in action, July 22, 1942. Cherished —Aunt Elizabeth, Uncle Vic, cousins Harry, Kathleen, Shirley and Ross. McINNES.—In loving memory of my dear grandson Blake, killed in action July 22, 1942. Time rolls on but memories stay.—Inserted by grandma Stanford. McINNES, L/Cpl. Blake, 2/48 Battn., killed El Alamein, July 22, 1942. Time drifts on but memories stay.—Always remembered, Starr family. McINNES—In memory of our pal Blake. -—Always remembered by Fred, Bert and Tonkin family.
Advertiser Thursday 22 July 1948, McINNES.—Treasured memories of our dear son Blake Humphreys, paid the supreme sacrifice, El Alamein. Partings come and hearts are broken. Loved ones gone with words unheard. —So dearly loved and longed for always, mother and dad. McINNES. —In loving memory of my dear brother Blake, SX7877, 2/48, who fell at El Alamein. In silence we remember. —Colin and Joan. McINNES. L/CpL Blake. —Killed in action at El Alamein, July 22, 1942. The passing years can never change our thoughts of you. —Always remembered by the Starr family, York. McINNES—Treasured memories of dear Blake, our nephew and cousin, killed El Alamein July 22, 1942.— Ever remembered by Aunt and Uncle Kadow, Harry, Kath, Shirley and Ross.
Advertiser Friday 22 July 1949, McINNES. —In loving memory of Blake, killed. M-E_ 1942. —Inserted by Phil and Mavis. McINNES, L/CpL—ln loving memory of Blake, killed at El Alamein July 22. 1942.—Always will be remembered by the Starr family. York. McINNES. L-Cpl. Blake Mclnnes.— Playmate and pal of Fred and Bert. His cheery smile lives on.—Always remembered by Tonkin family. Lancaster. McINNES. —Treasured memories of our beloved son Blake Humphreys, called to a higher service July 22. 1942. We cherish all the memories of the days when you were here. — So dearly loved by mother and dad. McINNES. SX7877, 2/48.—In loving memory of my brother Blake, passed away at El Alamein. Your memory is our dearest keepsake. — Colin and Joan. MclNNES.—Loving memory of our dear nephew and cousin Blake. Tender memories touched today. —Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle Vic and cousins. McINNES.—la loving memory of my dear grandson Blake.—Lovingly remembered by grandma Stanford.

Written and researched by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.