Pte 64776 Gerald Blank

• Age: 20
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• D.O.W Wednesday 1st May 1918
• Commemorated at: Harlebeke New Brit Cem
  Panel Ref: XIV.A.14

Gerald Blank was born in Liverpool in the June quarter of 1898 Gerald was the son of Barnet (Bernard) Blank and his wife Minnie (née Cohen) who married in Liverpool in 1894. Both parents were born in Russia. His father was born in Swechxner a province of Kovna and became a naturalised British citizen in 1915. His mother was British by parentage. Gerald's birth was registered as Gershan Blank. 

The first born, Todras, named after the paternal grandfather, died at age 5. His other siblings were Eli, Simon, Phillip, Walter, and Fanny.

On the 1901 Census, the family are living at 10 Clarence Street, Liverpool. His father, now known as, Barnett, is aged 27, a tailor, mother, Minnie, is aged 34, with Gerald, age 3, and Eli, 3 months. 

On the 1911 Census the family have moved to 36 Tillotson Street, Liverpool. His father Barnett is aged 37, a tailor/employer, his mother, Minnie is aged 44. They advised that they had been married for 16 years, and have had 7 children, 6 of whom have survived. At school are; Gerald 13, Eli 10, Simon 8, and Phillip 6, with Walter 4, and Fanny 2. 

 In 1915 the family was living at 34 Slater Street (per father’s naturalization certificate).

Gerald enlisted in Seaforth and was serving in the 17^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment D Company, 15 platoon as Private No 64776 when he was wounded and captured during a German assault on the Scherpenberg, during the Battle of the Lys at the end of April.

Gerald died from a head injury in a German field hospital at Menin on 1^st May 1918, aged 20.  According to the POW records held by the International Red Cross, an inquiry/inquest was held in Frankfurt on 06^th December 1918, but the purpose and outcome of the inquiry are not known.

Gerald was buried in the Gheluwe German Military Cemetery, Plot 14, Row A, Grave 14, marked with a cross, and in 1924 the body “believed to be” that of 64776 Pte G. Blank, was transferred to Harlebeke New British Cemetery where he now rests. His headstone currently contains the Christian cross, however, as a man of Jewish faith his headstone should include the Star of David to signify Gerald's heritage. We have recently received news that the headstone will shortly contain the new headstone including the aforementioned Star of David.

Harlebeke village was taken on the night of 19-20 October 1918 by the 9th (Scottish) Division.

Harlebeke New British Cemetery was made after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the surrounding battlefields of 1918 and, in 1924-25, from German cemeteries or plots in Belgium. The earlier concentrations are in Plots I and X, and the later in Plots I, II and XI to XIX. In the latter group are many graves of October 1914.

In May 1940, The British Expeditionary Force was involved in the later stages of the defence of Belgium following the German invasion, and suffered many casualties in covering the withdrawal to Dunkirk. Commonwealth forces did not return until September 1944.

The cemetery now contains 1,116 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War. 181 of the burials are unidentified and a special memorial is erected to one casualty who is believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials record the names of 19 casualties buried by the Germans in other burial grounds whose graves could not be found on concentration. There are also ten burials of the Second World War in the cemetery.

The cemetery was designed by W H Cowlishaw.

On 17^th July 1918 Gerald’s pay book was sent to Central Office from a field hospital. A notation was made, ‘death of the owner is not certain’.  The family was notified of such by the Red Cross on 15^th August 1918. They were finally notified of his death on 31^st October 1918.  His next of kin was listed as Mr. B. Blank, of 36 Smithdown Road, Liverpool.

He earned his two medals. 

His mother Minnie B. received Gerald’s Army effects, Army Pay of £8 0s 7d and a War Gratuity of £6 10s. The Pension record does not specify any amount, and gives a death date of 29th April 1918. 

On the 1921 Census at 36 Smithdown Rd, father Barnett is aged 46, a tailor, mother Minnie is aged 44, Simon is 18, Phillip 16, Walter 14, Louis Myer 8, Toulda 4, and Abraham 1. 

His mother Minnie died, aged 61, in 1939. 

His father Barnett died, aged 77, in 1951. 

Probate:- 

BLANK Barnet of 5 Eldred Road Liverpool 16 died 13 January 1951 Administration Liverpool 30 March to Walter Blank shop manager. Effects £535 0s 2d. 

Gerald is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Hall of Remembrance in Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 12 right

British Jewry Roll of Honour.

We currently have no further information on Gerald Blank, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.