Bert Blencowe  [4246]

 

1887-1968

Father Nm: Henry Blencowe [3590] 1847- 1922: Oldest Known Ancestor – Thomas Blencowe abt 1475 Marston St Lawrence.

Mother Nm: Louisa Hannah Orange was born in Apr 1847 in Camberwell Surrey she died in December 1917 at age of 70 years in Chelmsford, Essex,

Marriage Dt: 1 Jan 1915 at St Paul Brixton to Grace Dorothy Burnell.

Lambeth Vol. 1d Page 363.

K comments: Brother Ernest Arthur was a career soldier and served from 1903-1916 with Devon’s and Royal West Kent’s. Brother George who died in 1911 served prior to the war in Royal West Kents.

WW2:  Son George Herbert Blencowe  served with the Royal Canadian Signals

Spouse comments: Grace Dorothy Burnell.(7.7.1889-2.12.1957)

(Research): GR[B] Camberwell Dec 1887.

Children: George Herbert Blencowe 1917   Arthur Blencowe 1921 Montreal

Birth

28 October 1887 Camberwell

1890 Leipsic Road School (Comber Grove School)

London, England, School Admissions and Discharges, 1840-1911 about Bertie Blencowe

Name: Bertie Blencowe, Age: 2, Birth Date: 27 Oct 1887, School: Comber Grove School, Borough: Southwark

Admission Date: 14 Apr 1890, Parent: Henry

Notes: Comber Grove School (0385) opened in 1877. Originally named Leipsic Road School until 1921, then renamed Comber Grove School. Reference Number: LCC/EO/DIV07/COM/AD/008

1891 Census 6 Ebenezer Place, Camberwell

1. Henry Blencowe 44 General Labourer
2. Louisa Blencowe 43
3. Louisa Blencowe 18
4. John Blencowe 16
5. George Blencowe 14
6. Henry Blencowe 12
7. Elizabeth Blencowe 10
8. Florence Blencowe 8
9. Ernest Blencowe 6
10. Bertie Blencowe 3
11. Sidney Blencowe 1

1901 Census 6 Pallador Place Camberwell

1. Blencowe Henry Head Painter 54
2. Blencowe Louisa Wife Leather Curler 53
3. Blencowe Ernest Son Painter 16
4. Blencowe Florence Dau Leather Dresser 18
5. Blencowe Bertie Son 13

1911 Census 30 Clarkson Street, Ipswich, Suffolk

1. Blencowe Bert Border Hotel Cook 25

1913 Emigrated to Canada

Canadian Passenger Lists, 1865-1935, Name: Bertie Blencowe, Gender: Male, Age: 25, Estimated Birth Year: abt 1888

Date of Arrival: 10 Feb 1913, Vessel: Corsican, Port of Arrival: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Port of Departure: Liverpool, England. Roll: T-4746

WW1

Blencowe Bert, 1887, Camberwell, Private, 48719, 2^nd Canadian Army Veterinary Corps, A.D. of S&T and 4th C.G.R. (Canadian Garrison Regt.)

Synopsis

Bert Blencowe emigrated to Canada in 1913 and in this period his brothers Ernest and Henry also emigrated to Sydney and Adelaide Australia respectively.  Bert was a man who could turn his hand to many things occupations we know he had been a Photographer, Cook, Horse Carer, and Carpenter. Bert was to join the Canadian contingent of the Canadian Army Veterinary Corps and was subsequently injured by a horse in 1915 which prevented him from serving beyond 1915 in that role. His Army records don’t recall exactly when Bert returned to England but he married in Brixton on 1st January 1915 so must have been sent or went on his own expenses there beforehand. He was in England from November 1914 and joined in the 2nd Bn CAVC in March 1915 and then stayed in England until the spring of 1918. Bert developed Pneumonia in late 1917 and was Invalided back to Montreal, Canada in April 1918.

1914

• 26^th Oct. Enlisted at Montreal with and 2^nd Bn. Royal Canadian Army Veterinary Corps. Occupation: Bertie on enlisting claimed his trade was Cook yet on other Army forms he owns his own business as a photographer. Bertie also stated that he had served 3 months Canadian Army Services Corps prior to enlisting.
• November Medical records state this was when Bert was transported to England.

Note: The CAVC transported 7,000 horses to Europe in 1915 and presumably Bertie was on some sort of horse carer duty for a small part of that contingent.

1915

• 1st January. Married Dorothy Burnell at Brixton, London. was based at Salisbury Plains specifically West Down Camp.

  

1916-1917

• 16^th Feb.
• March-February 1916. Canadian Army Veterinary Corps, Shornecliffe, England. Bertie was kicked on the right thigh shortly after arriving in England and was never able after that to walk properly and later used a cane. Note: this incident confirms Bert’s role in the Army at this time was looking after the horses.
• Transferred to A.D.S. & T.(Canadian Training School at Shorncliffe). Bert had through 1916 carried on as a horse carer with the CAVC in England but as a result of the kick eventually and the muscular pain was put on light duties as a batman in the Army Department of Soldier Training (A.D.S. & T.)
• Time spent in London and Hastings

1918

• Jan. Bertie developed double Pneumonia and was treated at the 2^nd RAMC Hospital Chelsea (2 months) and then readmitted (Pneumonia) in Mar 1918 to No 5 Canadian Gen Hosp. Liverpool. He was to return to Canada and District Depot No 4 at Peel St barracks, Montreal; meanwhile, Bertie’s wife Grace was repatriated to Canada on 27th Feb 1918 on the ship Ongar.
• 25^th Apr. Returned to Canada on HMAT Araguaya arriving in Halifax N.S. Health was a problem on Bertie’s return; in
• Jun. Pneumonia recurred and spent 6 weeks in a hospital bed.
• 11^th Jun. Transferred 4^th Bn. Canadian Garrison Regt.
• 2^nd Aug. Bertie was discharged unfit to serve, illness the reason. On discharge home address 142 Leber St. Port St Charles, Montreal.

In the interval between his arrival in Canada and discharge from the Army, he took a course in clerical work. On re-examination of pensions in January 1919 he was sent to Presbyterian Hosp. in Montreal for treatment of his troubling leg.

Resources

1. Complete Service Records
2. Granddaughter Karen Blencowe
3. History of Canadians at Salisbury Plain

Medals

Bert was entitled to the British War medal and to the Canadian Army Class B badge. Army Class “B” was awarded to those who were on active service overseas but not in a combat zone, and were discharged on account of age, wound, or sickness.

After the War

1921 Canadian Census

Montreal

Name Age
Bert Blenkawe 33
Grace Blenkawe 31
George Blenkawe 4
Arthur Blenkawe 1/12

After 1921 Bert and family moved back to England.

1923 USA seeking Work

• 12 December. Bert and his wife Grace enter Vermont seeking work, he states he is a Carpenter in the immigration/travel form and indicates intends to return to Canada.

1928 Immigration and travel records.

Bert and their family give the last address as Dorothy’s sister in London so assume been living in London for a period of time before returning to Toronto their new Canadian destination.

Bert Blencowe was born in 1888; age 40,  Grace D 1890; age 38, George 1918; age 10 arrival in Niagara. Destination Church St, Toronto. Value of effects BP700 Cash 100

1957

Canada, Voters Lists, 1935-1980 about Bert Blencowe

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Occupation: Retired, Electoral District: Spadina

1965 -1968

73 Saddleridge Drive, Toronto

Death 12^th Dec 1968 at Sunnybrook Hospital Toronto

Burial Toronto

From Granddaughter Karen Blencowe 2018 ”

Bert Blencowe was my grandfather. Unfortunately, he wouldn’t talk about his life so I don’t have many answers for you. I didn’t even know he was in either the British or Canadian Armies. I did know he was a cook and worked on the CP Rails for a while then went back to England and married my Grandmother – Grace Burnell. I don’t know when he first came to Canada though. He was also a carpenter and I still have his toolbox that he had to make during his apprenticeship, along with some of his old tools. He passed away in December 1968.

I did know that my Grandparents were married on January 1st but didn’t know the year until recently. They had 3 children – George Herbert (my father) was born in London, England May 1918; Arthur, I have no idea of his birthday but do know he was 4 or 5 years younger than my Dad; and Grace born on February 24, 1930 (??). Uncle Art – I’m not sure where he was born and my Auntie Grace was born in Toronto, ON, Canada. I do know my Grandparents came over to Canada when my Dad was about 6 months old – so approx. December 1917. My Grandma passed away when I was only 5 years old, so I have very few memories of her.

My Dad told me that they did move around – landed in Halifax, NS; moved to Montreal, PQ; then to Toronto, ON; then down to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, then back to Toronto where they stayed. I have no time frame for any of these moves though except him and my Mom met in the late 1930s in Toronto and married in 1941.

Mom told me that Grandpa had several brothers, but I don’t know how many or any of their names. Most of them went in different directions – one to Australia; one to South Africa, one to the US and he came to Canada. My Mom stayed in touch with a cousin of Dad’s in Sussex, England, but they were from my Grandmother’s family. A cousin from Australia was in touch with Mom & Dad in the mid-1980’s (I think) They came to Canada once and I did meet them, but I can not remember their name now. I don’t think Mom & Dad ever kept in touch with them after that.

My Uncle Art removed himself from the family and we never had any contact with him after my Grandma passed away. Auntie Grace passed away about 24 years ago and my Dad nearly 15 years ago, so I have no one to ask for any family information/history. I would love to see copies of Grandpa’s army records if you get them.

I never signed up to participate deeply with Ancestry.ca until this spring as I could not afford the monthly fees, but when there were free weekends I would check on some information. I would love to have any of the information that you may have found.”

Gallery

Canadian Soldiers with horses in care.

From Granddaughter Karen Blencowe 2018

Hello Roger,

First I must apologise for the huge delay in responding. I initially went in Ancestry but then never returned until recently.

Bert Blencowe was my grandfather. Unfortunately, he wouldn’t talk about his life so I don’t have many answers for you. I didn’t even know he was in either the British or Canadian Armies. I did know he was a cook and worked on the CP Rails for a while then went back to England and married my Grandmother – Grace Burnell. I don’t know when he first came to Canada though. He was also a carpenter and I still have the toolbox that he had to make during his apprenticeship, along with some of his old tools. He passed away in December 1968.

I did know that my Grandparents were married January 1st, but didn’t know the year until recently. They had 3 children – George Herbert (my father) was born in London, England May 1918; Arthur, I have no idea of his birthday but do know he was 4 or 5 years younger than my Dad; and Grace born February 24, 1930 (??). Uncle Art – I’m not sure where he was born and my Auntie Grace was born in Toronto, ON, Canada. I do know my Grandparents came over to Canada when my Dad was about 6 months old – so approx. December 1917. My Grandma passed away when I was only 5 years old, so I have very few memories of her.

My Dad told me that they did move around – landed in Halifax, NS; moved to Montreal, PQ; then to Toronto, ON; then down to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, then back to Toronto where they stayed. I have no time-frame of any of these moves though except he and my Mom met in the late 1930s in Toronto and married in 1941.

Mom told me that Grandpa had several brothers, but I don’t know how many or any of their names. Most of them went in different directions – one to Australia; one to South Africa, one to the US and he came to Canada. My Mom stayed in touch with a cousin of Dad’s in Sussex, England, but they were from my Grandmother’s family. A cousin from Australia was in touch with Mom & Dad in the mid-1980s (I think) They came to Canada once and I did meet them, but I can not remember their name now. I don’t think Mom & Dad ever kept in touch with them after that.

My Uncle Art removed himself from the family and we never had any contact with him after my Grandma passed away. Auntie Grace passed away about 24 years ago and my Dad nearly 15 years ago, so I have no one to ask for any family information/history. I would love to see copies of Grandpa’s army records if you get them.

I never signed to participate deeply with Ancestry.ca until this spring as I could not afford the monthly fees, but when there were free weekends I would check on some information. I would love to have any of the information that you may have found.

Don’t be confused by my name as there is another “Karen Blencowe” in Australia who is a swimmer – that’s not me. I don’t even know whether or not I’m somehow related to her. One day I might find out.

I don’t know if this is still relevant to your search or not. Hopefully, after all this time you are still well.

Karen Blencowe