Private William Blakes
Private William Blakes, Service Nos.1128 (NIH), 71243 (Corps of Hussars). Blakes, from Ballymena, enlisted on 3 or 4 September 1914, and went to France on 20 January 1915 with a group of reinforcements for A and C Squadrons of the North Irish Horse. He was later attached to the Royal Flying Corps and was made a prisoner of war in May 1917. He was transferred to Class Z Army Reserve on 14 March 1919.
"News is anxiously awaited by Mrs. Blakes, High Street, Ballymena, concerning the whereabouts of her only son, Trooper William Blakes, North Irish Horse, who has been officially reported missing since May 7th 1917." (Ballymena Observer, 25 May 1917)
"Mrs. Blakes, High Street, Ballymena, has received a letter from her son, Trooper Wm. Blakes, North Irish Horse (attached Royal Flying Corps) who was recently reported as missing, informing her that he is a prisoner of war in Germany. Trooper Blakes enlisted in September 1914 prior to which he was employed by Messrs. Morton and Simpson Ltd. Church Street. He was a member of the Ballymena Company 1145 of the Church Lad's Brigade." (Ballymena Observer 8 June 1917)
This image and above quotes from the Ballymena Observer are kindly made available thanks to Des Blackadder, from his site Ballymena 1914-1918: Carved in stone...but not forgotten.