Ernest Blake who was born at Norman Park, Queensland on 5 March 1892, the son of Edward Blake. He enlisted in the Commonwealth Naval Forces as an Ordinary Seaman on 28 September 1909 and served there until 19 December 1910. He then joined the Australian Naval Force as an Ordinary Seaman in HMS PYRAMUS on 21 December 1910 signing on for a five year engagement. His consent form was signed by his sister, Mary Uhlmann, and on joining the ANF he was described as being 5 feet 7 inches tall with red hair, brown eyes and a ruddy complexion.

At the time of the 1911 UK National Census, Ernest Blake was reported to be serving in HMS PYRAMUS on the Australia Station. He enlisted in the RAN as a Stoker for a period of five years and was drafted to the London Depot on 22 February 1913. He was awarded his first Good Conduct Badge on 5 March 1913 which included his previous service in the Commonwealth Naval Force from 28 September 1909 to 19 December 1912 and was allowed to count this time towards his GCB.

He was drafted to submarines on 28 February 1914 ‘for passage to Australia’ and on arrival he was drafted to HMAS PENGUIN on 25 May 1914. He was reported as missing in HMAS AE1 on 14 September 1914.

His father, Edward Blake was listed as his Next of Kin – care of Mrs Mary Uhlmann of Minniegne, Brighton Terrace, Sandgate, Brisbane, Queensland. Ernest Blake is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial on Panel 4.