Blencowe William T 1873

William Thomas Blencowe MSM [3941]

1873 -1951

Father Nm: Thomas Blencowe [351] c 22.10.1850 Souldern died prob 1913 nr Bicester: Oldest known ancestor – Thomas Blencowe 1769 Brackley.

Mother Nm: Louisa Bird [3108] 1849.

Marriage Dt:21 Aug 1901 to Emma Jane Stevens, Eastbourne 2b 142.

K comments: Son George Ernest served with the 2nd Bn. Border Regt in WW2 and was Mentioned in Despatches in 1945.

Spouse comments: Emma Jane Stevens 1873-1946. BIRTH ABT 1874 • Eastbourne, Sussex. DEATH APR 1946 • Shipston on Stour, Warwickshire, England

Children: Annie Mary 1903, Isabel 1905, William Henry 1909 and George E. 1911.

(Research): GR[B] Bicester Sept 1873 Transcr Souldern, Parish Register 1881 Census prob GR[D].

Birth

30 August 1873 Bicester.

1881 Census House & Shop, South Newington, Oxford

Thomas Blencowe 32 Mason
Louisa Blencowe 31 Shop Keeper
William T. Blencowe 7 Scholar
Annie E. Blencowe 5 Scholar
Daniel King Boarder 26 Ag Lab

1891 Census Eastbourne, 116 Pevensey Road, Eastbourne

Pearce William 52 Retired Builder
Pearce Anne Maria 46
Blencowe Thomas William Nephew 17 Tailor Cutter (Employee)
Blencowe Annie Elizabeth Niece 15
Liddell Arthur Harvey Boardrr 22 Dentist’s Asst.

1901 Census

Living with Aunt, Bride in the same household as a Companion.

Stevens Emma Companion 26
Blencowe William Nephew living on own means 27

1911 Census Red Hill Farm Sibford Gower Banbury

Blencowe Annie Dau F 1903 Bourton 8
Blencowe Dora Dau F 1910 Sibford Gower 1
Blencowe Emma Wife F 1874 Eastbourne 37
Blencowe Harry Son M 1907 Bourton 4
Blencowe Isabel Dau F 1905 Bourton 6
Blencowe William Head Farmer M 1874 Oxford 37


Gallery	Royal Army Veterinary Corps

WW1

Blencowe William Thomas, 1874, Souldern, Sergeant, SE5750, No 3 Reserve Section -Royal Army Veterinary Corps.

1915

31^st Mar. Enlisted in RAVC as Horsekeeper at 40 yrs of age. Nb. It was a common thing for the Army to enlist older experienced farmers to the role of horse care. The Horse still played an important role in the war as the main transport of supplies munitions and artillery field guns earlier in the war.
©The National Library of Scotland .The image above shows a driver from the Royal Regiment of Artillery, lying in the grass reading. William’s role is not known but someone had to train these horses to live with the sounds of war and still do their job.. Of the one million horses supporting the British forces, just 60,000 returned to the U.K.

Was in the UK for the duration of war mainly at Aldershot.

15^th Nov. Made acting Corporal

1917

2^ndAug. Made acting Sergeant.

1919

5^th Apr. Discharged with a short-term pension.

Medals

William was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) on 3 June 1919 which was Gazetted in what is known as the Peace Gazette (as it was published about the time the Paris Peace Conference was taking place)

Nb. The Meritorious Service Medal was instituted on 19 December 1845 to recognise meritorious service by non-commissioned officers. Recipients were also granted an annuity, the amount of which was based on rank.

During 1916–1919, army NCOs could be awarded the medal immediately for meritorious service in the field. They could also be awarded the medal for acts of non-combat gallantry.