Blencowe William H H 1875

William Henry Herschel Blencowe  [3984]
1875-1937

Father Nm: Henry Herschell Blencowe [3079] born 1850 Sandgate Kent: Oldest Known Ancestor-Thomas Blencowe 1475 Marston St Lawrence.

Mother Nm: Eliza Foster [4807] 1854 Brighton -1901.

Marriage Dt:

K comments: Brother Walter Charles served with the Royal Garrison Artillery.

Spouse Comments:

Children:

(Research):GR[B] Brighton Sept 1875 GR[D] Brighton vol 2b p 391 Mar 1937 1881 Census.

At 1881 Census living with parents at 10 St Georges MEWS, GLOUCESTER TERRACE, BRIGHTON

Brighton1891 Census 15, St Georges Mews, Gloucester Terrace, Brighton
  1. Blencowe, Henry H Head Married M 40 1851 Chimney Sweep Sandgate, Kent
  2. Blencowe, Eliza Wife Married F 35 1856 Chimney Sweep Brighton
  3. Blencowe, William H H Son M 15 1876 Errand Boy Brighton
  4. Blencowe, Walter C Son M 13 1878 Errand Boy Brighton
  5. Blencowe, Ada E Daughter F 5 1886 Brighton
  6. Blencowe, Florence B Daughter F 1 1890 Brighton
1901 Census 165, Elm Grove, Brighton
  1. Blencowe, Walter C 23  Grainer & House Decorator 
  2. Blencowe, Amy E C Wife  25 
  3. Blencowe, Walter H T 8 Months 
  4. Summers, Ethel Cousin 13 
  5. Blencowe, Henry H Father Widower  50 
  6. Blencowe, Florence B Sister 11 
  7. Blencowe, William H H Boarder 25 Grocer’s Porter
1901 Enlistment Royal Garrison Artillery221_001

William Henry Herschel Blencowe year of birth: 1875 Parish of birth: St Peters Town of birth: Brighton Sussex.

Age at attestation: 26 years 4 months, Attestation date: 6 Nov 1901 Attestation Corps: Royal Garrison Artillery, Attestation soldier number: 8974.

Blencowe William Henry Herschel 1875 Brighton Private 8974 Sussex Artillery, Royal Garrison Artillery RGA.

  • 6 Nov 1901-10 Mar 1902
  • 11 Jan 1902 posted to 25 Coy
  • 10 Mar 1902 discharged ” not likely to become an effective soldier”
1911 Census Brighton
  1. Amy Eliza Callow Wife F 1874 37 Brighton Sussex
  2. Amy Louise Gertrude Dau F 1904 7 Brighton Sussex
  3. Ernest Walter George Son M 1907 4 Brighton Sussex
  4. Marjorie Patricia Dau F 1905 6 Brighton Sussex
  5. Stanley William Son M 1910 10 Months Brighton Sussex
  6. Wallie Henry Thomas Son M 1901 10 Brighton Sussex
  7. Walter Charles Head M 1877 34 Brighton Sussex
  8. William Henry Herschel Brother M 1875 36 Brighton Sussex

Royal Garrison Artillery
WW1

Blencowe Henry Herschel, 1875, Brighton, Gunner 8974, 154339 Royal Garrison Artillery

1917

It appears from Serial Number that Henry was likely conscripted at age 42 about 17 May 1917. Note he wasn’t considered suitable material in 1902 it seems “needs must” by 1917.

9.2″ Howitzer of 91st Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery in position under camouflage netting in readiness for the opening barrage of Arras, 1 April 1917″ Imperial War Museum Q 6460

 The serial numbers for William suggest a Territorial RGA unit. Medals indicate that William was sent overseas likely in 1917 and that he survived the war intact with no evidence of wounds or sickness. While originally the RGA was intended to serve the fortresses and port defences of Britain they were deployed en masse to the Western Front, Salonika etc. where a wide range of gun sizes (6″ to 14″ bore) were deployed some mounted on trains of enormous 14″ Guns.

Medals

Awarded the British and Victory medals and employed as a Gunner overseas

After the war
1921 census

20, Dinapore Street, Brighton, Sussex

Living with Brother WalterCharles occupation Draper’s Porter Bon Marche Drapers (Out Of Work)

Died 1937 Brighton AGE 62
Gallery