Thomas Arthur Blinco  [4052]

1879-1938

Father Nm: Thomas Blinco [2975] born 1839 London St Geo Han Sq mother Probart

Mother Nm: Mary Casson [5241] 1837-1894.

Marriage Dt:1900,  Jane Joyce Whitehaven 10b 1179.

K comments: Nephews Sydney Joseph served with the Royal Engineers and Thomas Arthur served with 1/5^th Border Regiment . Son William Joyce served between the wars with Royal Artillery.

Spouse comments: Jane Joyce 1880-1924.

Children: Arthur Blinco 1902, William Joyce 1905, Harold 1909, Mona 1914.

1881 Census

11 Bentincks Row, Preston Quarter, Whitehaven, Cumberland.

1891 Census

3 Pottery Road, Preston Quarter, Whitehaven.

1901 Census 13 Howgill Street, Whitehaven

Living with Jacob and Ann wife’s parents

1. Blinco Jane Dau F 1880 Whitehaven
2. Blinco Thomas A Son in Law Blacksmith M 1874 Whitehaven

1911 Census 17 Wills Court, Whitehaven

1. Blinco Arthur Son M 1903 Whitehaven 8
2. Blinco Harold Son M 1909 Whitehaven 2
3. Blinco Jane Wife F 1881 Whitehaven 30
4. Blinco Thomas A Head Blacksmith M 1879 Whitehaven 32
5. Blinco Willie J Son M 1906 Whitehaven 5

 

The Border Regiment	Pioneer collar badge

WW1

Blinco Thomas Arthur, 1879, Whitehaven, Corporal, 715, 3589077, 1/5^th Border Regiment

Prewar

1913

• Thomas enlisted in the Territorial’s before the war evidence being the three expiration in 1916 and he also qualified for the TEM awarded for 12 years good service with the Territorials.

  

  The TEM is awarded 26 Aug 1925 on his medal card, this would mean he enlisted about 26 Aug 1913.

1914

• August 1914: In Carlisle. Army Troops attached to East Lancashire Division. Moved to Barrow.
• 26^th Oct. Landed at Le Havre. The battalion went to No.1 Rest Camp and was placed on duty as Army Troops on the “Lines of Communication”. Their duties for the next few months were, scattered at places such as Rouen, Boulogne, Abbeville and Dieppe, performing P.O.W escort duties. During this time some 2,000 German P.O.W’s were processed and shipped to England under their guard in France.²

1915

• 4^th Apr. The battalion moved to Arques to undergo training for trench warfare for a month. The 1/5^th Bn. left Arques on the 5^th May 1915.
• 5^th May 1915 The Bn. came under orders of 149^th Brigade in 50^th (Northumbrian) Division.
• 10^th May. They had been sent to Brandhoek by bus and came under shellfire for the first time, but with no casualties. ²
• 13^th May. The 1/5^th Bn. and 149^th Brigade moved to huts west of Ypres on the 13^th May and was placed under command of the G.O.C. 4^th Division and the 1/5^th Bn. Regiment was attached to the 10^th Brigade, with the companies being split out to the Royal Warwickshires, Seaforth Highlanders, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and the Royal Irish Fusiliers, in the trenches in the area west of Ypres. (The Battalion had just adopted the 4 Company standard formation of the serving army).²
• 24^th May. An attack under the cover of Poison Gas took place on their trenches. It was repelled, but at a heavy cost of 1 Officer and 18 OR’s, killed; 3 Officers and 113 OR’s wounded and one man missing. 90 men suffered Gas Poisoning.

  

  The battalion left the trenches on 28^th May and moved to Busseboom, where they stayed for a fortnight to recover.²

• 11^th Jun. The 1/5^th Bn. was in the trenches of Hooge and severe fighting was the order of the day, now active, in its own right, 149^th Brigade acting with the 3^rd Division to flatten out a salient SW of Hooge Chateau on the 16^th June 1915. A bombardment of 90 minutes preceded a 3^rd Div. attack and with the 149^th Brigade in support, it was a success. That evening, the battalion was withdrawn to Sanctuary Wood, then to huts west of Vlamertinghe, in divisional reserve with the 151^st Brigade, on 19^th June 1915. Casualties for the week 11^th -18^th June 1915, when tallied were 43, with 1 Officer and 6 OR’s killed or died of wounds and 2 Officers plus 34 OR’s wounded.²
• 21^st Jun. The 1/5^th Bn. rejoined its old brigade and the 50^th Division was now to form a part of the II Army Corps, in the trenches in the Wulverghem area south of Hooge. As with all trench warfare, casualties occurred. The 1/5^th Bn. now we’re around the Armentieres area, in a quiet part of the line and stayed there until the end of August 1915.²
• Sept-Oct. Used to distract activities elsewhere the 1/5^th used to carry out trench raiding parties, activity continued until 9^th October 1915, when the 1/5^th Bn. were relived back to billets in Armentieres.²
• 20^th Dec. Transferred to 151^st Brigade in same Division.

1916

• 12^th Feb. Termination of 3 years service, Thomas signed up and given new Territorial number 3589077
• 11^th Aug-14^th Sept. The 1/5^th Bn. and the 50^th Division moved south to Picardy, to join III Corps, by train and march and arrived in Baizieux Wood on the 17^th August 1916, having to put up their own shelters in the pouring rain. The Third Phase of the Somme battle now loomed for the battalion. They marched to Millencourt and Becourt Wood on 10^th September 1916. At first, they were set to work parties burying cables in Railway Copse but soon moved to Shelter Wood and Quadrangle Trench and on to the trenches at Mametz Wood on the 14^th September. They were ordered to attack the German Trenches known as Star Fish Line and Prue Trench, in a night attack on the 15^th September 1916.²
• 15^th Sept. Martinpuich vicinity, Attack on Prue Trench. At 6:50 pm the 151^st Brigade received orders to attack Prue Trench the assault to be made from Hook Trench. Confusion in the darkness meant the 1/5^th Bn. did not arrive in line until 30 minutes after the assault had started. It was then their job to push on and find the 6^th and 9^th Durhams, who had gone forward on time. They were unable to reach their objectives and had to dig in with the coming of daylight at Bow Alley. This attack cost the Division further heavy casualties, the Borders alone losing 3 Officers and 100 OR’s killed and wounded.¹²
• 17^th /18^th Sept. Another attack on the Star FishLine was attempted by the 1/5th Bn. alongside other brigade units, but the wet ground and heavy fire from the enemy machine guns meant this too failed. Lost on this occasion was 2 Officers along with 60 OR’s as casualties, Before this attack A Company had been withdrawn to Hook Trench, attached to the 8^th Durham Light Infantry and remained so for some time to come. The rest of the 1/5^th Bn. who took part in the abortive attack, withdrew to Swansea Trench, then the next day to the S.W. corner of Mametz Wood.²
• 1^st Oct. The capture of Le Sars. Orders to attack in four waves In the centre where the 1/5^th Bn. and 8^th DLI formed for the time being a composite battalion the 1/5^th to form the 1^st and 2^nd wave. At 3.15 pm the attack began. The artillery fire was good with practically no losses while crossing the open. 30 mins after zero the English patrols were seen entering Le Sars. From 1/5^th Bn. diary “When the bombardment lifted at the time stated the first wave left the assaulting trench and followed close up the barrage line followed by the other three waves at intervals of 50 yds. The two lines were captured before the enemy realised we were in possession.” Bn. relieved on 3^rd Oct. by 6^th Northumberland Fus.

Note: around this time nephew Thomas was wounded and one wonders how did Thomas senior feel about his brother’s son getting wounded did he make some gesture before the war that he would look after him I wonder. In any event, it was long before Thomas junior was returned to England and Thomas left to battle on alone.

• The 1/5^th Bn. withdrew on the 2^nd October and marched back to Albert, then on to huts at Hennencourt Wood. This was the end of 1916 fighting on the Somme for the 5^th Battalion, Border Regiment.2
• Whilst in the Hennecourt Area, for the rest of 1916, the 1/5^th Bn. were deployed on building and repairing roads, a foretaste of a future role, in the Warloy and Mametz areas of the Somme Battlefield. They ended the year in a camp north of Mametz Wood.²

1917

• Apr. Having stayed around the Somme battlefield in early 1917, the 1/5^th Bn. The regiment was finally moved to the battles taking place around Arras on 11^th April 1917. By the 12^th April 1917, they were in position near Neuville Vitasse and moved from there on the 14^th April to support an attack by the 6^th D.L.I. At the Cojeul River. This must have been a successful attack, or cancelled at the last minute, as the 1/5^th Bn. were not called into action.
• 23^rd -24^th Apr. The Second Battle of the Scarpe. The battalion occupied Nepal Trench and was called into action after an assault by the 150^th Brigade had faltered. A German counter-attack had retaken the 150^th Brigade objectives and the 1/5^th Bn. and 9th D.L.I. had to assault the lines again and recapture the ground. This they did successfully, capturing many men and weapons and also rescuing a number of 150^th Brigade men who were wounded and left behind. On the 24^th April, the Bn. was once again successful, despite the heavy counter fire and all lines were dug in and consolidated. This came at a price of 6 Officers and 45 OR’s killed, 4 Officers and 131 OR’s wounded and 23 missing, believed to be killed.²
• 26^th Apri. The 1/5^th Bn. in billets at Rouville, before travelling to Arras itself and on to a rest camp at Coullemont. After this, the battalion moved around the area, but by the end of May 1917, was near the town of St Amand. By the end of June, they were near Wancourt Tower and moved to a camp at Boisleux au Mont.²
• 1^st Aug. The 1/5^th Bn. was in a camp near Henin and in the next two weeks carried out a successful trench raid on the 8^th August. The enemy trenches were assaulted and the enemy fled, allowing unimpeded bombing of dugouts and fortifications, with just the loss of 1 man.²
• The 1/5^th Bn. stayed in the Arras area, at Guemappe in line, or Mercatel in reserve and around Neuville Vitasse for the next month or so, during which time a draft of 196 reinforcements arrived.²

1918

• Feb. The 1/5^th Bn. left the 151^st division in February 1918 before the next major battles of 1918.

12^th Feb. Thomas and his Bn. was transferred to 66^th (2^nd East Lancashire) Division as a Pioneer Bn.

• The 66^th Division held the Le Vergurier-Ronssoy sector in March 1918 and the 1/5^th Bn. were based at Roisel, working on road and tramway construction and building large dugouts at Templeux. The 66^th Division unexpectedly bore the full force of the German attack and its positions were as follows on the days succeeding the Assault of March 21^st 1918.²
• 22^nd Mar. The western edge of Templeux, Trinity, Trinket and Triple Redoubts.
• 23^rd – 25^th Mar. The Actions at the Somme Crossings. Holding the line of the Somme River.
• 26^th-27^th Mar. The Battle of Rosieres. Holding the line Estrees-Assevillers.
• 28^th Mar. In the line Weincourt-Guillacourt.
• 29^th Mar. Holding the Ignaucourt-Marcelcave Line.
• 30^th Mar. In position on the line west of Aubercourt-Hangard Wood.
• 1^st Apr. 66^th Division re-organising at Pissy.
• During these 10 days of fighting the 1/5^th Bn. were hard-pressed and engaged in some tough marching and fighting on the retreat. The battalion had marched and fought from Cartigny, by way of Doingt, Peronne and Biaches. At Biaches a proposed stand was abandoned as the German Offensive had closed in on the Somme north of Peronne. They marched to Flancourt, Harbonnieres and Marcelcave, arriving on 1^st April 1918 at Pissy, with the rest of the 66^th Division. At this point, the retreat came to an end, at a cost of 3 Officers and 17 OR’s killed, 7 Officers and 102 OR’s wounded and 13 Officers and 345 OR’s missing. This perhaps shows the confusing nature of a retreat, when missing outnumber all others as men become separated and their fate cannot be confirmed. The 1/5^th Bn. that arrived at Pissy on 1^st April 1918 were only 8 Officers and 201 OR’s strong.²
• The 1/5^th Bn. was withdrawn from action, and 7^th May the Bn. was transferred to 97^th Brigade in 32^nd Division and absorbed the cadre of the regiment’s 11^th Battalion (Lonsdale). Taking part in these battles in 1918 with that Bn.²
• 8-12^th Aug. The Battle of Amiens.
  • 10^th Aug. Deployed for an attack, passing through a Canadian battalion, on the way to Warvillers. The objective was a part of the railway between Hattencourt and Fresnoy. A heavy machine-gun fire from German positions, plus uncut wire held up the advance and caused casualties at Fouquescourt and Parvillers. The battalion managed to occupy a line of old trenches on a ridge, but stalled and was relieved on 12^th August, marching to Berteaucourt.
  • Casualties included 1 officer. killed, 4 officers wounded, plus 12 OR’s killed and 99 wounded. ²
• 17^th Aug. The 1/5^th Bn. The regiment had moved to Harbonnieres. ²
• 21^st-22^nd Aug. The Battle of Albert. Took part in an attack on Herville on the 22^nd, which was successful and the cost was 4 Officers wounded, a light cost at this stage of the war. They were temporarily seconded to 96^th Brigade and on 27^th Aug. attacked Ablaincourt at 5 a.m. ²
• The attacks came thick and fast now, as Starry Wood was taken and held despite heavy shelling including gas; Ablaincourt fell and was secured and next day Misery also was occupied by the battalion, who then re-joined 97^th Brigade.²
• Now the companies formed two attacking forces, whose job it was to “leapfrog” one another as the advance progressed. A and C Company were one force and B and D Company, the other. They formed part of a brigade attack front, “leapfrogging” each other aground was taken and consolidated, the next jump forward began. Thus on 5^th September, the Somme was crossed at Brie and Rene Wood captured by A & C Companies. Then B & D Companies passed through the new lines and attacked Athies, which fell next. Now A & C Companies moved on to Vermaud.²
• 10^th Sept. The 1/5^th Bn. had dug in at the new line of advance and were relieved to Brigade Reserve.
• Two days later the 32^nd Division was replaced in line by the 1^st Division and moved to Villers Bretonneux.²
• 24^th Sept. The 1/5^th Bn. The regiment marched to Le Vergurier, via Framerville, Misery and Tertry which took four days to complete, arriving on 28^th September at 11 a.m. The 32^nd Division was now part of IX Corps, Fourth Army, which was due to attack from Selencey to Vendhuille. As part of the IX Corps was stationed from Selencey to Buisson Gaulaine Farm and the 32^nd Division was to support the attack of the 46^th, around Bellenglise.²
• 29^th Sept.- 2^nd Oct. The Battle of the St Quentin Canal. When the 46^th Division secured their objectives, the 32^nd Division passed through them to cross the Bellenglise Canal near La Baraque. As part of this, the 1/5^th Bn. captured Levergies and took 400 prisoners, before moving on towards Joncourt. Determined opposition cost the 1/5^th Bn. the lives of 10 OR’s plus 70 wounded including 2 Officers. ²
  • 1^st Oct, Joncourt fell to the 32^nd Division and they pushed on to the Beaurevoir Fonsomme Line. This was strongly held and for its part, the 1/5^th Bn. The regiment was attacking Chataigies Wood and Preselles, but were unable to reach their objectives due to the strength of the defences, despite trying on two separate occasions. 2 officers were killed in these actions along with 19 OR’s and 99 wounded, including 6 Officers.²
• They were withdrawn to cellars in Levergies on the night of 2^nd/3^rd October. They then marched by Lehautcourt and Vendelles to huts in Le Catelet, A further series of marches, via Pontruet, Levergies and Bohain to St Souplet took the 1/5^th Bn. into a period of rest recreation and training, commencing 31^st October 1918.²
• 4^th Nov. The Battle of the Sambre, including the passage of the Oise-Sambre Canal, a phase of the Final Advance in Picardy. The 32^nd Division, containing the 1/5^th Bn. The regiment was detailed to cross the Sambre-Oise Canal around Ors. The 97^th Brigade was in reserve for this attack and did not come into play until 5th November, clearing Grand Fayt. On the 7^th November, they advanced again and captured Avesnes and Avesnelles, as the Germans retreated in such haste as to outdistance British supply trains.²

1919

• On the signing of the Armistice, the war did not end for 1/5^th Bn.  They remained in Flanders until 31^st Jan 1919, then marched to Germany as part of the Rhineland Occupation Force. They were stationed in Cologne until the end of March 1919, when they moved to Bonn. It was not until 6^th November 1919, almost a year after the ceasefire, that the 5^th Border regiment left Bonn via train by Cologne to Calais.²
• 10^th Dec. Sailed for Dover. Then by train to Kendal arriving 11^th December and finally returning to Workington on 14^th December 1919.²

Sources

1. The Fiftieth Division by Everard Wyrall.
2. The 1/5^th Border Bn. 

Medals

Awarded the 1914 “Mons” Star, British and Victory plus the Territorial Force Efficiency medal (Long Service and Good Conduct ) awarded in 1925. Note; Thomas didn’t request the 1914 Clasp and Rosette.

After the War

Death 1938 age 58 years

Whitehaven, Cumberland, Volume: 10b, Page: 794.

Gallery