WILLIAM REGINALD BLENCO [4574]

1898-1984

Father Nm: Frank Blenco [3813] born 1864 Northampton J.Q. -Oldest Known Ancestor; John Blinco 1660 Whilton.

Mother Nm: Eliza Solomon 1876 Kettering.

Marriage Dt:29th Oct 1921 to Elsie Dorothy Madeline Chapman Rushden,

Wellingborough Vol. 3b Page 344.

Spouse comments: Elsie Dorothy Madeline Chapman 1901-1960.

K comments: Brother John Frederick served with the Northants Regiment and was KIA in 1915. Youngest brother Claude Frank was a Conscientious Objector and most likely influenced by the death of brother John. Younger Brother Levi Solomon 1905 served with the RAF in WW2

Children:Pauline Ruth 1921, Roy William 1926, Pamela Mary 1938.

BIRTHS MAR 1898

Blenco William Reginald Wellingbro’ 3b 136.

1901 CENSUS FINEDON NORTHANTS

1. Frank Blenco 36
2. Eliza Blenco 25
3. John F S Blenco 5
4. William R Blenco 3
5. Claude F Blenco 1 Month

1911 CENSUS 10 WOBURN PLACE RUSHDEN

1. Blenko Claude Son 10
2. Blenko Eliza Wife 35
3. Blenko Elsie Dau 10
4. Blenko Frank Head Pressman Shoe Trade 45
5. Blenko Levi Solomon Son 5
6. Blenko John F Son Shoe Panner? Shoe Trade 15
7. Blenko William Son Inker Shoe Trade 13
8. Blenko Winifred Dau 8

 

Blenco William Reginald, Driver, 102509, 15^th Brigade Royal Horse Artillery.

1915

William has a Medal Index card and roll list, but no other records. Medals indicate overseas service after 1915, given the regimental number likely enlisted mid-1915. Note in 1918 the Absent Voter (Rushden) information indicates 15^th Brigade RHA, William Reginald Blenco, 10 Woburn Place 102509 Driver 15^th Bde, RHA.

William was wounded in the war, a letter from his mother attests to this fact. The letter is written in July 1918 and in it she refers to her two sons one killed ie John Frederick and one who was wounded and now in July 1918 was back on the front. She also does this in the context of appealing for her third and last son Claude Frank to be excused from service from the Army.

The RHA artillery was constantly in use throughout the war and virtually no battle on their front was to be missed. The 15^th Bde RHA (“B” and “Y” batteries and Bde Ammunition Column) joined the 29^th Division Jan 1915 at Leamington. The 15^th Bde remained with the 29th Division throughout the war.

Because William joined in mid-1915 and would have been in training before being sent overseas it’s likely he joined the 15 Bde in France in early 1916. The 15^th had just been involved in the Gallipoli campaign and so was a hardened fighting unit.

By January 1916 there is a new Battery “L” in 15^thBde, so it’s possible this was the battery to which William was appointed.

In summary, the 29^th Divisional Artillery was involved in the following battles of the war.

• Gallipoli 1915-16
• Somme 1916-17
• Arras 1917
• Battle of Passchendaele 1917
• Cambrai 1917
• Lys 1918
• Gheluvelt 1918
• Ledeghem 1918

1916

• 1^st Jul. The Battle of the Somme. In support of the 4^th Div. and 36^th Div. Infantry in attack on Beaumont Hamel.

  

• Sept. supported the 39^th Div. attack on enemy trenches at River Ancre.

• 16^th Sept.- 8^th Oct. The 29^th Div Artillery relieved 4^th DA in line at Ypres.

• 13^th Oct. 29^th DA into line at Delville Wood and Longueval.

   

   

  

  

• 31^st Oct. From war diary ” The latter half of Oct. proved wet and rough. The country on our front, Guedecourt is waterlogged and transport becomes an immense difficulty. The ground around Flers is a swamp of mud and conditions inevitably cause much hardship to both men and horses/ all ground is a series of shell holes and combined with the mud and rain renders digging a great difficulty.”

• 5^th-24^th Nov. Support of Australian Infantry against trenches ‘Grid’ and ‘Bayonet’. Artillery fired day and night.

• 29^th Nov. The 15^th Bde moved to Carnoy.

• 5/6^th Dec. The Bde went into action opposite Morval under Guards division.

1917

• 27^th Jan. Support 29^th Div into battle very successful 1100yds captured and 400 prisoners taken.

• 18^th -28^th Feb. Support for 29^th Infantry who carried out successful attack 28^th.

• 23^rd-28^th Mar. Route march to Gouves nr Arras.

• 4^th -8^th Apr. Battle for Arras. Bombardment for the attack on the 9^th Apr. of the Third Army from Corjeul to Scarpe the 15^th Bde supporting the 36^th Infantry Bde of the 12^th Div. Many casualties from enemy shelling.

• 10^th Apr. Battle for Arras. the 29^th DA supported the 37^th Div in the capture of Monchy le Preux.

• 23^rd Apr Supported 29^th Div attack on Bois du Vert and Bois du Sart.

• 3^rd May. The 3^rd Division attacked. but Infantry and Artillery were hit with gas shells and infantry advanced with gas masks.

• 17^th May. The 29^th Div extended the front northwards to the River Scarpe, L battery was forced to relocate as heavy enemy shelling had taken out 4 of their guns in 12hrs.

• 1^st-8^th Jul. Action in Ypres Sector 29^th DA moved to Houtkerque to join Fifth Army, 15^th Jul 15^th Bde moved to near Elverdinghe. First experience of mustard gas 40 casualties as a result.

• 31st Jul. The Third battle of Ypres or Battle of Passchendaele. supporting Guards Div attack on Ypres-Staden railway

• 1^st Aug.  Attempting to cross Canal 2 gun teams of L battery knocked out. 4 Guns did cross but on 4^th 15^th Bde. L battery leader Captain Leadbetter was killed.

• 16^th Aug. Battle of Langemarck. attack by the 29^th Div and the Fifth army resulted in the capture of Langemarck.

• 19^th -20^th Aug. Battle of Langemarck. L battery hit heavily one gun blown 30 yds away from emplacement.

• 14^th – 22^nd Sept. After a period of rest marched back to Illey Wood to resume action.

• 23rd-24th Sept. Gas attacks were severe, masks were worn for hours.

• 25^th-30^th Sept. Heavy bombardment undertaken received similar enemy shelling on positions.

• 5^th– 8^th Oct . Moved entire artillery forward to Steenbeek in daylight but no enemy fire, no casualties.

• 9^th-25^th Oct. Further action but into Billets at Orville on the 25^th.

• 1st-9th Nov. Preparations for the attack on Cambrai.

• 13^th -14^th Nov. moved to Hennois Wood and came under the direction of III Corps.  Trench Overlay NLS map

• 20^th Nov. Attack on Cambrai. The III corps attacked and the 29^th DA supported three divisions incl. 29^th Div. With an unregistered creeping barrage, to great success.

• 21st-29th Nov. Attack on Cambrai. The batteries fired a creeping barrage on the 21st on the 23^rd the DA was reinforced and batteries were withdrawn for defensive positioning. The 15^th Bde is on the right in Vacquerie Valley.

• 30^th Nov. Attack on Cambrai. German counterattack began with fire on all the batteries in the Vacquerie Valley using gas shells as well as H.E. The 15^th Bde. fired (as directed by 86^th Bde) on assembly points of German infantry at Rumily and Plaisir Farm. Enemy aircraft attacked the batteries and did a great deal of damage. As the counterattack broke through retiring infantry passed through the 15^th Bde they left the gun emplacements exposed. The enemy approaching could be seen and the 15^th Bde engaged the enemy, holding them off for 1 hour then the batteries retreated with breech blocks and sights in hand. ‘L’ battery remained behind and held the enemy for a while, then followed the others back to the Hindenburg Support line.

• The 29^th DA was withdrawn from action for a complete refit.

1918

• Apr. Sporadic action in the command of VIII Corps in the battle for Lys.

• 1^st Aug. -13^thSept. The 15^th Bde was involved heavily in the support of the taking of Outtersteene Ridge.

• 30^th Sept. Bombardment for the Battle for Gheluvelt.

• 14^th -24^th Oct. Support artillery for the battle of Ledeghem.

At the signing of the Armistice, the 29^th Division and Divisional Artillery were chosen to march into Germany and become an Army of occupation. It was a long march, the 29^th arriving in Cologne by December and staying there until April 1919.

SOURCES

1. 29^th Divisional Artillery: War Record and Honours Book 1915-1918.

2. War Diaries of 29^th Division.

MEDALS

Awarded the British and Victory medals. Entitled to wear one wound stripe on his dress uniform.

AFTER THE WAR

1939 Census 73 Irchester Road, Rushden U.D., Northamptonshire, England

William R Blenco 28 Nov 1897 Male Boot Operative Polisher Married
Elsie D M Blenco 26 Mar 1901 Female Boot Operative Closing Bench Married
Pauline R Smith (Blenco) 07 May 1922 Female Boot Operative Shiver Single

Note two others not disclosed two of these most likely,  Pauline Ruth Blenco 1921, Roy William Blenco 1926, Pamela Mary Blenco 1938.

Death 1984

Age at Death: 86, Registration district: Kettering, Inferred County: Northamptonshire Volume: 7 Page: 2050.

Gallery

A medal card and a medal card roll record exists for this man that are not shown in this gallery due to copyright reasons.