Blees, J
(1889 - 1915)
Key Facts
DATE OF BIRTH:
25th February 1889
YEARS ATTENDED THE COLLEGE:
1903 - 1906
HOME ADDRESS WHEN AT THE COLLEGE:
3 Dalmore Road, West Dulwich
REGIMENT
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
FINAL RANK:
Private
DATE OF DEATH:
11th May 1915
AGE AT DEATH:
26
WHERE HE DIED (or was wounded)
Ypres
LOCATION OF GRAVE OR MEMORIAL:
Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery II E 23A
Private John Blees
John was born on February 25th 1889 in what is now Jabalpur, India. His parents, John Peter and Mary Ann, had married less than a year earlier, and in the meantime John Peter had unfortunately passed away. During his time at Dulwich he was a boarder in the Orchard, and in his final year was a member of the 3rd XV. After leaving the College he joined the Royal Insurance Company, taking a position which saw him working in Manchester. In 1910 he went over to Canada, taking a position working on a ranch near Edmonton.
He joined up as a member of the infantry upon the declaration of War, and was part of the first Canadian contingent to come to Europe, going to France with his regiment in February 1915. On May 8th they were defending against a German assault near Ypres when John was struck in the stomach by a piece of shrapnel, passing away as a result of the wound three days later.
