Lance Corporal Francis James Blain
- Rank
- Lance Corporal
- Appointment
- Australian Army 1918 Western Front
- Service number
- 2615
- Unit
- 32 Battalion
- Cause of death
- Died of Wounds
- Place of death
- France
- Date of death
- 25 July 1918
- Age
- 28
- Plaque number
- M224
- Co-located plaques
- M224A - PTE Herbert Blain
- Dedicated by
- His family in 1975
- More information
Lance Corporal Francis James Blain 2615 (1889-1918, born Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England) enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Perth, Western Australia, on 2 May 1916 and was trained at Blackboy Hill (Greenmount), Western Australia. He was assigned to 6th Reinforcements, 48th Australian Infantry Battalion and was sent to the Western Front in October 1916 and, on 19 March 1917, he was reassigned to 32nd Australian Infantry Battalion. On 24 July 1918, he was fatally wounded and died the next day during a period when the Battalion was under fire in the Front Line.
Lance Corporal Blain’s official memorial is his grave in the Vignacourt British Cemetery, Vignacourt, Picardie, France where his headstone is inscribed with “Thy will be done”. His Place of Association is Bruce Rock, Western Australia.
His honour plaque in Kings Park was dedicated by his family in 1975. He is the son of Arthur William Blain (1862-1945) and Harriett Blain (nee Titmuss) (1860-1932) of Codicote, Welwyn, Hertfordshire, England. He is the brother of Herbert William Blain 2058 (died of wounds). The plaque applicant is his brother Ernest George Blain (1900-1980). The tree for this plaque was made available in 1975, but records do not show the date the plaque was placed in the Honour Avenues nor whether there was a dedication service.
Lance Corporal Blain is remembered with honour.
Note: The rank shown on the Honour Plaque is incorrect and should read “Lance Corporal”.