ALBERT BLENCOWE MM  [4232]

1887-1969

Father Nm: Thomas Blincowe [352] 1853 Caversfield:oldest known ancestor – Joseph Blinco 1769 Bicester.

Mother Nm: Sarah Ann Finch 1849 Souldern.

Marriage Dt:  Albert Blencowe m Florence M Corbett [7697] Jun Q 1925 West Bromwich

K comments:

Spouse comments: Florence M Corbett [7697] 19.5.1894-1977 Lancaster

Children: Ray V Blencowe 1926, Peggy Blencowe 1935

BIRTH 1887

19 May 1887 West Bromwich GRO Volume: 6b, Page: 857.

1901 CENSUS CRANKHALL LANE WEDNESBURY, WEST BROMWICH

1. Thomas Blencowe 47
2. Sarah Ann Blencowe 52
3. George Blencowe 22
4. Martha Blencowe 18
5. Albert Blencowe 13

1911 CENSUS 42 VICTORIA TERRACE, CRANKHALL LANE, WEDNESBURY, WEST BROMWICH

1. Thomas Blencowe 57
2. Sarah Ann Blencowe 62
3. Albert Blencowe 23 Carter and Beds

 

WW1

Blencowe Albert, 1887, West Bromwich, Sergeant, 49747, 15^th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.

1914

• Nov. Regimental Number suggests enlisted in November 1914, Albert enlisted as a gunner and was then promoted to a Sergeant. The Medal Roll identifies him to be in the 15^th Siege Battery (SB) which was part of the 19^th Heavy Artillery Brigade. 15th (SB) R.G.A were formed at Sheerness on 31^st
  December 1914.

1915

• 12^th Jul. The 15^th SB and Albert entered France and were billeted initially at Tilques.

1916

• 3^rd Jun. The 15^th SB was re-armed with four 6″ Breach Loading Howitzers (26 cwt) and transferred to the 31 Heavy Artillery Group (HAG) on 7^th Jun  1916.

  

• 11 Jul. Transferred to 33 HAG, back to 31 HAG on 25^th Jul 16; to 6 HAG on 4^th Oct 16.

1917

• 14^th Mar. Transferred to 21 HAG and to 92 HAG on 30^th Apr 17; to 89 HAG on 29^th Jun 17 and to 21 HAG on 10^th Jul 17.

• 1^st Aug. Transferred to the XVII Corps Heavy Artillery on 1^st Aug 17^th and back to 21 HAG on 14^th Aug 17; to 42 HAG on 6^th Oct 17 and to 2 Canadian HAG on 28^th Oct 17.

• On 11 Dec 17, it transferred to 70^th Heavy Artillery Battery (HAB), RGA and remained with that unit for the rest of the war, being made up to six howitzers on 6^th Apr 1918 with the addition of one section which joined from 522 Siege Battery.

1918

Very little detailed information about the 15^th SB is available but below is a piece of action captured in detail.

• 9^th Apr. The German Spring Offensive. Wounded?

  

  The enemy commenced heavy bombardment at 4.15 am. All batteries subjected to shelling with gas and heavy explosives HE until about 1.30 pm. Portuguese troops began to fall back in disorder at about 8.00 am. Batteries were kept in action until the enemy was within 300 yards of positions. Then the positions were held by Rifle and Lewis Guns. (The guns were put out of action). 15 SB recorded list of casualties in 70^th Bde WD were: 2 OR’s killed, one Officer and 5 OR’s wounded, one Officer and 16 OR’s missing. Early on the 10^th they drew two new Guns from workshops and carried into action at R.13d (south of Lestrem), later the enemy having reached Lestrem, 15 SB retired to Q22b (Sheet 36A) (Hamlet of Pacaut north of the Bois de Pacaut)

•  8^th May. Albert is reported wounded in the;
  Weekly Casualty List (War Office & Air Ministry )

• 4^th Oct. Military Medal award gazetted but also newspaper record Birmingham Daily Post, 8^th October 1918. It is believed that the MM is tied to the action in April where the 15^th SB position overrun men defended the guns and eventually destroyed them to prevent them from falling into enemy hands.

AWARDED THE MILITARY MEDAL IN 1918

Gazette Issue 30940 was published on the 4 October 1918. Page 4.

His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Military Medal for bravery in the Field to the undermentioned Non-commissioned Officers and Men;49747.Sgt. A. Blencowe, R.G.A. (Wednesbury). The award of the Military Medal in the London Gazette gives one clue to Albert’s identity it states Wednesbury in the West Midlands as his place of residence prior to the war.

1919

• 24^th Mar. Albert Discharged to Z Reserves.

MEDALS

Awarded Military Medal,	1914-15 Star, British and Victory Medals

Albert also entitled to wear the Silver War Medal.

AFTER THE WAR

1921 Census

42 Crankhall Lane

Sarah Ann	Blencowe	Head	Female	1848	73	Oxfordshire, England	Home Duties	–
George B	Blencowe	Son	Male	1880	41	West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England	Carter (Driver)	Griffiths & Billingsley Tube Manufacturers
Leah	Blencowe	Daughter-in-law	Female	1877	43	West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England	Home Duties	–
Albert	Blencowe	Son	Male	1887	34	West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England	Carter (Driver)	J & D Richards Hanlage Contractors
Bernard	Blencowe	Grandson	Male	1904	17	West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England	Warehouseman	Griffiths & Billingsley Tube Manufacturer
Eric George	Blencowe	Grandson	Male	1914	6	West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England	–

1939 Census

Albert Blencow born 19.5.1887 General Labourer, son  Ray hall fitter beds Florence M 19.5.1894 living 74 Asbury Rd West Bromwich  2 undisclosed

Death 1969 age 82 years

West Bromwich, Staffordshire, Volume: 9b, Page: 1758

Gallery

Note: there are 2 service records for this man that exist that are not shown in this gallery for copyright reasons.