Blenco Frederick 1894

FREDERICK BLENCO [4476]

DIED OF WAR INJURIES 2 AUGUST 1918

1894-1918

Father Nm: Richard William born 1st May 1866 Northampton died May 1943 Rugby -Oldest Known Ancestor; John Blinco 1660 Whilton
Mother Nm: Jane Elizabeth Basford 1873-1923
Marriage Dt:
K comments: Father Richard William served with the Northampton Regiment from1883-1919.
Spouse comments:
Children:
(Research): GR[B] Northampton Dec 1894

1901 CENSUS

13 FORT ST NORTHAMPTON
1. Jane E Blenco 28
2. Frederick Blenco 6
3. Mabel Blenco 5
4. William Blenco 3
5. Florence E Blenco 4 Months
6. Violet A Barford 14
Note: In 1901 Census, father Richard William on own; an Infantry Corporal at Little
Warley, Barracks, Essex.

1911 CENSUS

40 MARLBOROUGH ROAD ST JAMES NORTHAMPTON
1. Blenco Doris Dau F 1903 Northampton 8
2. Blenco Florence Elizabeth Dau F 1901 Northampton 10
3. Blenco Frederick Son Clerk Boot Factory M 1895 Northampton 16
4. Blenco Jane Elizabeth Wife F 1873 Towcester 38
5. Blenco Mabel Dau Boxing Boot Factory F 1896 Northampton 15
6. Blenco William Head Army Pensioner Caretaker Of Schools M 1867 Northampton 44
7. Blenco William Son Office Boy Coal Merchants M 1898 Northampton 13

WW1

Blenco Frederick, Gunner,1932, TR/7/8798, 97637, 69 Machine Gun Corps, Royal Pay Corps.

Synopsis

Frederick engaged in a non combat role by the Army voluntarily took a demotion to serve in the field. His ultimate sacrifice was to give up his life for his country. It should be noted:

In WWI terminology, a “war injury” could include diseases aggravated by service conditions (like trench life or malnutrition). However, a fistula/growth is often a medical condition rather than a combat wound. The fact that he was awarded a Silver War Badge (for being honorably discharged due to sickness or wounds) and his father received a War Gratuity confirms the Army officially accepted his death as “attributable to service,” regardless of whether it was a bullet wound or a fatal illness contracted in the field.

1914

• 4 Sept. Enlisted with Army Pay Corps Warwick.

1915

• 19 May. Promoted to Lance Corporal

1916

• 27 Jul. Appointed Acting Corporal

1917

• 11 Feb. Transferred to 94th Training Bn., Clipstone.
• 27 Feb. Posted to reserves
• 17 Mar. Posted to reserves
• 10 Feb. Reverts to Private – no reason was given
• 4 Apr. Transferred to No 4. Machine Gun Corps Clipstone assigned 69 Company, 69 Bde 23 Div.The 69 Machine Gun Company was formed Grantham, Lincolnshire on the 4 of March 1916. After a period of training at Belton Park. Frederick qualified for and joined the 69 company in Apr 1917.
• 9 Jul. Embarked for France from Folkestone disembarked Boulogne.
• 10 Jul. Joined Base depot Carniers 69 Company.
• 1 Sept. Coy. at Dickebusch, having what is described as a quiet period.

  

• 3 Sept. In billets at Lederzeele until 16 Lederzeele
• 16 Sept. Micmac Camp. Dickebusch area.
• 18 Sept. No 4 section moved into the front line
• 19-25 Sept. The Battle of the Menin Road-Inverness Copse.
• 19/20 Sept. Moved into the front line at Inverness Copse. “Three guns were detailed to advance from the left of Brigade fronts and two from the right. All guns were to move forward following 1st Bn. of infantry. Two guns proceeded towards the Tank Trap J.14.c.84 (The c here is barely legible, and maybe an a) but just before reaching it, a stray shell destroyed the guns and put the teams out of action. The remaining guns moved up left of Copse and fired on S.P. at J.14.d.85.50. A hit on the doorway of the dugout was observed, and the garrison surrendered. This gun then followed the West Riding Regiment to the final objective and took up a position covering the valley of the Reutelbeek. Two guns on the right moved forward with infantry to Herenthage Chateau.

  

• They fired three rounds on S.P. at about J.20.b.central. on the right Brigade front. A direct hit was observed. Shortly afterward 30 Germans surrendered. The guns then followed the West Riding Reg`t forward and established themselves, covering centre and right of Brigade front. At the final position, a minenwerfer was found mounted. This was put into action, and a wood in which the enemy appeared to be massing was fired on continually during the afternoon, about 200 rounds being fired. At dusk, the S.O.S. was sent up from the front line, and the three Stokes mortars in position fired 160 rounds on S.O.S. lines. About 50 rounds were also fired by the minenwerfer. Casualties 1 Officer, 32 OR’s. Three guns remaining in action, five rounds were fired at dusk in reply to S.O.S. Guns then buried and out of action until late in the evening.
• 22 Sept. Guns withdrawn from the line.
• Note: From Division records; The 23rd Division was held up for a short time by a German strongpoint in Dumbarton Wood, which had been missed by the barrage and caused many casualties. Despite the delay and the difficulty of navigating through clouds of dust and smoke, caused by the barrage and the marshy ground north of Dumbarton Lake, the first objective was reached a few minutes after the barrage and consolidated along with the source of the Bassevillebeek. 69th Brigade on the left managed to get through Inverness Copse but German troops emerged from cover and fired on the troops behind, as they moved up to attack the second objective, causing severe losses before they were killed or captured. The troops
  who had been severely reduced in numbers, following on through the copse, were still able to capture a line of German fortifications along Menin Road, north of the hamlet of Kantinje Cabaret.
• 25 Sept. 23 Div. Relieved in the trenches. Sent to Ontario Camp.
• 26 Sept. – 3rd Oct. Battle of Polygon Wood.
• Sept. Back into the trenches.
• Oct. Relieved in the trenches. Sent to billets at Meteren.
• 4 Oct. Appointed U.P. L/Corporal
• 11 Oct. At Ontario Camp. On to Anzac Camp.1
• 16 -22 Oct. The First Battle of Passchendaele. Moved to front lines Polygon Wood sector. J.12.a.20.65 and J.6.c.20.00.(Again the diary is almost illegible here and the map-references are as they appear to me.)1 Opened fire on a line between J.12.d.40.20 and J.12.d.60.70.1
• 22 Oct. Relieved by 62 Coy.1
• 26 Oct.- 10 Nov. The Second Battles of Passchendaele.
• In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating
  between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. On the 1st of April 1918, the Company joined with the other MGC’s of the Division to become No 23 Battalion, MG.
• Nov. 1917. Complains of pain after heavy marching in Italy, sent initially to No.62 Gen.
• Hospital in Bordigha, Italy then on to No.2 Gen.Hosp.
• 28 Nov. Reverts to Private

1918

• Jan. Admitted hospital Le Havre and then finally invalided to Battersea War Hospital on 2 Jan 1918.

  

• 1 May. Discharged unfit for service.
• 2 Aug. Died of war injuries

Note: Frederick was discharged disabled, he was wounded or diseased from service his records show attendance at Bath War Hospital in Jan 1918 for a fistula (growth) in his lower bowel, he died on 2 Aug 1918. Home Address 40 Marlboro Northampton. His death was recognised by the Army as war-related and his father was paid a War Gratuity of 16 pounds.

SOURCES

1. The War Diary of the 69 Coy. MGC.2. Records of the 23 Division.

Medals

Burial Place

CWGC RECORD.

Cemetery: Northampton (Kingsthorpe) Cemetery, Country: England, Area: Northamptonshire, Rank: Private, Official Number: 97637, Unit: Machine Gun Corps (Inf)., Force: Army.
Nationality: British, Details:, Death 2 August 1918. Age 23. Son of William and Jane Elizabeth Blenco of 40 Marlborough Rd. St. James Northampton. 146. I. 5545.
Fredericks’s mother Jane would have been sent a commemorative plaque and letter from the King

Frederick’s will, leaves his Army War Gratuity to his father William. See Soldiers effects Form.

GALLERY

Note: there are 25 service records for this man that exist that are not shown in this gallery for
copyright reasons.