Born at Adelaide, Sth Aust. CoE. Enlisted 2 July 1915 age 29, bank clerk. Nok father, Joseph Lake of Swanbourne Tce, Cottesloe Beach. Embarked at Fremantle 13 September 1915 per Themistocles. Served in France 1916-1917, England 1918 and France 1918. He was wounded to the thigh in France on 24 April 1918. RTA March 1920 per SS Zealandic. Medal Citation: ‘On night 24/25th April 1918, during a counter attack by his Bn on strong enemy positions south of Villers-Bretonneux this NCO was in charge of a Lewis gun section. When his platoon Commander became a casualty he took command of the platoon. On reconnoitring a wire entanglement he called on his platoon to follow and forced a way through the wire. In rushing his men through, he was largely responsible for the advance of his Coy being maintained at a critical time. His gallant action was an example to all.’ Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. 15 4 February 1919. London Gazette 5th supplement No. 30897 13 September 1918. Service medals and award: MM, 1914-1915 Star, BWM and VM.
