Blencowe William H 1865

William Henry Blencowe [6952]

1865-1918

Known as Billy.

Father Nm: John Blencowe [1654] born 24.5.1830 c 11.7.1830 Brackley St Peter died 14.6.1898 Birchip Australia : Oldest known ancestor – Thomas Blencowe, C1475, Marston St Lawrence.

Mother Nm: Emma Scown [8428] 1837.

Marriage Dt:1889.

Kin comments: Son Frederick William served as a Lieutenant in the 21^st Bn. AIF and in the same 23^rd Bn. Grandson Alfred Trevor (Mick) Dawson served with the RAAF in WW2.

Son Frederick William Blencowe 1894-1960 who distinguished himself in WW1 a Lieutenant who earned a Military Medal with 21st Bn, returned to Australia, 15 May 1919.

Spouse comments: Eva Georgina Hooper [6953] 1870-1958.

Children: Edith Miranda 1890, Oscar Oliver 1892, Frederick William 1894, Coral Mabel 1902), Lindsay Gordon 1904.

(Research): MW Marr Reg No.5689

1882 Birchip, Victoria

At about this time, William is involved in the building of the Birchip Hotel, his mother applies for a wine license and a career as a Landlord of the Hotel for William until sometime before 1914 when he is living in Melbourne.

Source History of Birchip 1931 Birchip Times newspaper article

1914 Electoral Role

Victoria 1914 Batman Fitzroy Central

Commission Agent living with wife Eva at 10 Alexandra Park Fitzroy.

Australian Imperial Force
Online War Photo Album	23^rd Battalion Arm Patch

WW1

Blencowe (William Henry) Billy. 1865, Thebarton, South Australia, Private, 1664, 21^st & 23^rdBn. AIF.

1915

25^th Feb. Enlisted to C Coy 23^rd Bn. 6^th Infantry Brigade. Nb Stated age 44 yrs 11 months (real age 50 ). William dropped his age considerably (so much so that AIF below gets his relationship to brother incorrect) in order to join up. He and his wife Eva had five children.
17^th Jun. Transferred to 21^st Bn.
16^th Jul. Embarked from Melbourne with the 21^st Battalion, 2^nd Reinforcement on the HMAT Demosthenes.
28^th Aug. Likely landed at Alexandria and taken on strength the 23^rd Battalion AIF on the 28^th, to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force on 30^th Aug 1915.
2^nd Sept. Billy was on the ship SS Southland on his way to Gallipoli, when a torpedo struck.
William Henry was on the Southland bound for the Dardanelles when it was torpedoed.—————- Photo shows men row away from the sinking Southland. ———————————— Courtesy Australian War Museum

The vessel reeled and the order was given to abandon the ship. There was never a cry or sign of fear. The Australian soldiers merely came briskly on deck singing ‘Australia will be there.’ The troops all went to their stations and lowered the boats in an orderly manner. Of 1400 men, 14 were killed by the explosion and 22 were drowned. Coincidentally son Fred . was on the SS Southland as well but was to escape unharmed. 1
5^th Sept. Admitted to No. 1 Canadian Stationary Hospital, Mudros.
Canadian Nurses of whom after the war Billy thanked for their care when he was in their hospital on Mudros.

with a burnt hand stayed for 24 days in hospital.
28^th Sept. Transferred to No 15 Australian Gen. Hospital Alexandria. Billy was deafened in the left ear by the explosions on board the Southland and developed a double hernia which led to his being sent on the Hospital ship Kaipara back to Alexandria.
1^st Oct. Transferred to No 2 Australian Aux. Hospital Heliopolis (treated for Hernia and double vision).Stayed in hospital 18 days and then to Al Hayat Helouan.
22^nd Nov. Admitted to Luna Park Hospital again until 9 Dec 1915.
In December brother Alfred passes on letters to the Donald Times newspaper and while Billy is traveling back to Australia this story is published about him.
Donald Times 25 January 1916

1916

2^nd Jan. Invalided home on the HT Ulysess. Time spent at the No. 5 Australian General Hospital in Melbourne on arrival.
19^th Apr. Interviewed by a local newspaper about his war experience. “Mr W Blencowe (“Billy ) who was invalided back to Australia on 5th Feb last after 6 weeks in Lemnos base hospital and 7 months in Egypt owing to internal injuries sustained during the torpedoing of the “South-land has an interesting tale to tell regarding the disaster. In the course of an interview with our representative, he said, ” I was on guard at 10 o’clock when the disaster happened. A submarine came up under cover of a Turkish tramp steamer, which crossed our bows, but, when about 2000 yards off the steamer fell back and the submarine let us have it in the bows, well under the waterline. I shouted out. “The beggars have got us. There were a few confused shouts and then an extraordinary quiet for fully five minutes. Meanwhile, the ship listed over on her side, and later came back to her true position. When I noticed how she was down at the bows, I was convinced that the damage was not as bad as it might have been. I sang out to men whom I was helping to lower boat 17, To take your time boys; she won’t go down for hours yet.” At this time we were 25 miles from Lemnos. I feel certain that we could have quietly lowered the boats with the greater part of the ship’s complement, and beached the ship without a further loss than those killed by the explosion. One is inclined to wonder whether a certain responsible officer did not act somewhat hastily-. After the explosion, he ordered the chief engineer to go below and ascertain the amount of damage done, and upon the engineer’s refusal to risk his life in doing so was immediately shot dead. Later a Dane was also shot for disobedience. Up to this time, there had been an almost entire absence of panic, but after the above acts a slight panic ensued, and it became somewhat serious when the siren sounded four blasts—the nautical sign “Every man for himself.” It was at this stage that the confusion occurred with regard to the lowering of the boats. Many of them were upset before they reached the water and the overload of men cast into the sea. Yet, with
these incidents the discipline was splendid considering the sudden and serious nature of the blow. Two officers especially deserve praise. One of them was an adjutant, but the others rank I have forgotten, though his behaviour was no less meritorious. The conduct of the 23rd Battalion — my own — was praised in the British Parliament, but in my opinion the 21st Battalion, in which was my son Fred, was equally calm and courageous. It was fine to see the spirit of the men while
in the water- Many were singing Australia Will Be There,” ‘and It’s a Long Way to Tipperary,” while the men on board the ship took up the refrain. I was amused to hear one chap in the water singing it’s a long way to Australia, but I’ll get there,” laying special emphasis on the last three words, and thus exhibiting an encouraging confidence. I don’t know whether the poor beggar ever did “get there,” but, I hope so.
The finest thing of all was to see men jumping into the water from the over crowded boat, in order to leave room for others: Taken all in all,Fix this text Australia may well he proud of the conduct of her boys, who stood as though on parade until the shooting incident happened. ‘”One thing I would like to say- before I go, ” said Mr Blencowe as he rose to take his leave and that is that the treatment which we received on the warships that came to our assistance was beyond all praise, as also was the attentions of the nursing sisters of the Canadian hospital at Lemnos.”‘
10^th Jul. Billy was found to be permanently disabled by the Army medical board and unlikely to hold a job again a war pension was granted in lieu of this situation. He was discharged medically unfit on 10 Jul 1916.