Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Blake a Stone Quarry Labourer, born 1864 in Shepshed, Leics., and his wife Martha, born 1864 in Shepshed, Leics. Walter was born in 1885 in Shepshed, Leics., his siblings were Thomas, born 1887, John, born 1889 and Ellen, born 1891, all his siblings were born in Shepshed, Leics., in April 1891 the family home was at Moorfield Place, Shepshed, Leics., in the Ecclesiastical Parish of St. Botolph. In March 1901 Walter was employed as a Stone Quarry Labourer and was residing in the family home at Pick Street, Shepshed, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Thomas, Ellen, Hannah, born 1893, Ernest, born 1895, Ivy M., born 1898, Albert, born 1900 and Granville Lawrence, born 1901, the latter five siblings were all born in Shepshed, Leics. In April 1911 Walter was employed as a Quarry Loader and was residing in the family home at Belton Street, Shepshed, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Thomas, Hannah, Ernest, Edward, born 1897 in Shepshed, Leics., Ivy, Albert, Lawrence, John Eric, born 1902, Sarah Ann, born 1904, Eva Lilian, born 1906 and Everard, born 1908, the latter four siblings were all born in Shepshed, Leics. The War Diary for today records. REUTEL. The situation was fairly quiet, and the day was spent consolidating the line. Patrols were sent out during the night and reported the JUNIPER COTTAGE to be clear of the enemy. At 5.00pm an S.O.S. signal was put up on the left resulting in heavy firing by both sides. No infantry action developed.