Blenco Thomas

THOMAS BLENCO

UNKNOWN

Father Nm: Unknown

Mother Nm: Unknown

K comments:

Spouse comments:

Children:

This man is recorded as Thomas Blenco on three medal documents, the medal index card, and two medal rolls, however, no positive identification has been made.

There appear three family options (given spelling Blenco )

Blenco from Yorkshire and could be son of William Blenco 1851-1939 and Lucy nee Fortune. My strongest candidate is John Blenco 1885 -1967 who had a brother Thomas who died in 1888 (a baby). It’s worth noting that the family did lose a son George William to the war; he died KIA 1918.
The surname spelling Blenco is predominantly from Northampton area and therefore could be a son of Richard William Blenco b.1866 and Jane Elizabeth nee Basford; note father served and son served and died of wounds 1918.
In a similar manner, Blenco from Kettering could also be a source. This indicates possibly a son of Frank Blenco b. 1864 and Eliza nee Solomon; son John Frederick was KIA 1915 and son William Reginald served.

Other options discounted

Possibly Thomas Blencowe, Blencoe, or Blencow ie Blencowe’s of the right age in the 1911 census, i.e., given enlistment 1914, born 1899 or earlier.

These Thomas have also all been eliminated ;

1911 CENSUS

Blencowe Thomas Son 1894 Greenwich 17 eliminated; this is William Thomas who served in RFA.

Blencowe Thomas Son 1889 Banbury 22 eliminated; joined Royal Navy

Blinco Thomas Arthur 1891 Whitehaven 1/5th Bn. (Cumberland) Border Regiment.


Online War Photo Album	Royal Engineers

WW1

Thomas Blenco, Sapper, 44138, Royal Engineers.

1914

Medal card and roll indicates took part in Western Front campaign.

Regimental number 44136 Dunn enlisted 19^th November 1914 suggesting Thomas enlisted late 1914.

Royal Engineers are hard to find if no records exist as they typically were associated with a Divisional unit but depending on role would be moved around from Div to Div. The rank of Sapper could also be applied to Road, Rail Bridge construction repair etc

1915

23^rdAug. Thomas and the Royal Engineer unit he belonged to landed in France. 982 R.E. men landed in France on this date suggesting more than one Divisional allocation.

No record of Thomas throughout the war found (so far) we can only assume that he spent most of the war years overseas and likely on the western front.