Private Herbert William Blain
- Rank
- Private
- Appointment
- Australian Army 1917 Western Front
- Service number
- 2058
- Unit
- 44 Battalion
- Cause of death
- Died of Wounds
- Place of death
- Passchendaele, Belgium
- Date of death
- 28 October 1917
- Age
- 26
- Plaque number
- M224A
- Co-located plaques
- M224 - LCPL Francis Blain
- Dedicated by
- His family in 1975
- More information
Private Herbert William Blain 2058 (1891-1917, born Knebworth, Hertfordshire, England) enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Perth, Western Australia, on 14 March 1916 and was trained at Blackboy Hill (Greenmount), Western Australia. He was assigned to 3rd Reinforcements, 44th Australian Infantry Battalion and embarked for the Western Front in October 1916 where, on 25 January 1917, he joined the Battalion. On 16 October 1917, he was wounded in action while the Battalion held the Front Line (13-21 October 1917) under heavy German fire and he died on 28 October 1917.
Private Blain’s official memorial is his grave in the Nine Elms British Cemetery, Poperinghe, Flanders, Belgium 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 Francis James Blain 2615 (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.
Private Blain is remembered with honour.