Frank Gerald Blaker (VC, MC) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

He was 24 years old, and a Temporary Major in the Highland Light Infantry, British Army, attd. 3rd Bn., 9th Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 9 July 1944 near Taunghi , Burma (now Myanmar), 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.

Further information

Grave/memorial at Taukkyan War Cemetery, Burma (now Myanmar). 20m N of Rangoon (now Yangon). Plot VI. Row E. Grave 2. Headstone.

Frank Blaker's medals:

Reference

• British VCs of World War 2 (John Laffin, 1997)
• Monuments To Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• Nigel Holmes

This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.