Ernest Blencowe  [4458]

Died of Wounds 5th Aug 1915

1894-1915

Fathers Name: Thomas (Tom ) Blencowe [1670] born 30.11.1859 Neithrop c 8.12.1860 Banbury died 8.11.1906 Banbury

Mothers Name: Charlotte Ada Buzzard [3193] born 4.8.1859 Banbury

K comments: One of five brothers that served, Brother Alfred like himself KIA with Oxford and Bucks, Brother Valentine served with Kings Royal Rifle Corps & Army Service Corps but was gassed in the war and died in 1923. Brother Thomas served with RNAS and his wife Edith with the WRAF. Brother Fred served initially with the 109^th TR Bn. KRRC. Nephew Ernest 1915-2002 served as a Paratrooper in WW2.²

Spouse Comments:

Children:

(Research): GR[B] Banbury June 1894 JD

1901 Census 6 Boxhedge Rd. Neithrop Oxon

1. Blencowe Tom Head Steel Iron Grinder 41
2. Blencowe Charlotte 9
3. Blencowe Charlotte Ada Wife 42
4. Blencowe Ernest Son 7
5. Blencowe Fred Son 11
6. Blencowe Alfred Son 14
7. Blencowe Rosa Buzzard Dau 18
8. Blencowe Thomas Son 12 Neithrop
9. Blencowe Valentine Son 16
10. Blencowe Sarah Dau Machinist 19

1911 Census 61 Upper Windsor Street Banbury Oxfordshire

1. Blencowe Charlotte Ada Head
2. Blencowe Ernest Son Carpenter To Milling Firm 17
3. Blencowe Fred Son Coal Merchants Clerk 21
4. Blencowe Alfred Son Linen Cutter For Ladies Undergarments 24
5. Blencowe Rosa Buzzard Dau 27
6. Blencowe Thomas Son 22

Oxford and Bucks LI

WW1

Blencowe Ernest, 1894, Banbury, Private, 10133, 5^th Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.42^nd Brigade, 14^th (Light) Division.

The 5^th (Service) Battalion was formed at Aldershot from a cadre of 2 Officers and 150 men from Cowley Barracks, Oxford. It was placed in the 42nd Infantry Brigade, together with 5^th Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry (5 KSLI), 9^th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps (9 KRRC), and 9^th Battalion, Rifle Brigade (9 RB) as part of 14^th (Light) Division and was destined to fight all of its war on the Western Front. Its training was largely based in the Cranleigh and Witley areas of Surrey and at Aldershot.

1915

• 20^th May. Ernest was posted to France, The 14^th Light Division the Infantry Division immediately involved in action to see the death of another 5^th Bn. Oxford and Bucks man Edward Henry Blencowe (not related directly).

• • May. Action in the Ypres area. Here the newcomers were gradually and progressively introduced to the realities of trench warfare. They began in the second-line trenches, and furnished strong working parties by night, thus receiving their baptism of fire, though not subjected to intense shelling. Next, each company was attached for instruction to an experienced battalion in the front trenches for a 48 hours tour of duty, when all ranks learned all that there was to learn of trench routine in the face of the enemy. This was followed by a few days’ training behind the line and by digging communication trenches and dug-outs. After which, within a month of leaving Aldershot, the Battalion took its place in the trenches. ¹
  • Late May-Jun. Holding the trenches around Hooge. It is at this time its likely Edward was fatally wounded we don’t know where or when exactly. The War diary doesn’t record any major action just the trench duties as described above but one possible incident is recorded that may have been the fatal day. ¹
  • 19^th Jun. Railway Wood Trench Hooge.

    

    23:00 hrs. the enemy started shelling the communication trenches with lachrymatory shells and shrapnel. This went on all the time the relief was taking place; the low-lying ground was thickly covered with gas fumes, which made breathing difficult and the eyes very painful. The relief was completed by 03:00 hrs. Casualties. Lieut. Crawford was severely wounded; 2nd Lieut. Clarke was slightly, by a shell that burst on the railway; other ranks, 6 killed, 7 wounded. ¹ Note: fighting alongside Ernest was Edward Harold Blencowe from Mixbury who was fatally wounded in this shelling and died on 24^th June from the wounds

  • 14^th Jul. Ypres Salient. The Battalion went into dug-outs in the ramparts of Ypres, between Menin Gate and Sally Port. Casualties.3 killed and 7 wounded.
  • 19^thJul. Dugout shelters in the field south of the main road between Vlamertinghe and Poperinghe
  • 27^th Jul. Ypres Salient. A little rain. Lots of whiz-bangs, to which our 18-pounders (guns) replied in enemy trenches. We did not do nearly enough retaliation today; must get a move on in this matter, as life is not worth living until we prove ourselves top-dog. Casualties. 2 ORs were killed; Captain Logan and 3 ORs were wounded.¹
  • 28^th Jul. Ypres Salient. The enemy is much more active than when we were last here. We are also determined to make ourselves as offensive as possible with trench mortars, catapult bomb-throwing, sniping, etc. Casualties.2 ORs killed, and 8 wounded.¹
  • 29^th Jul. Ypres Ramparts.Some heavy shelling in the afternoon. Considerable annoyance from trench mortars; our trench mortars cannot retaliate effectively owing to a shortage of detonators. A good deal of sniping on both sides throughout the day, and we put some catapult bombs into the enemy’s trenches.Casualties.2 OR were killed, and 20 were wounded.
  • 4^th Aug. Wounded. Between Hooge and Ypres (Holding trenches G 10 to 1st house on Menin Road). Enemy’s 77mm. batteries busy during the morning. At 15:00 hrs he opened with “crumps”‘ and “whizz-bangs” on our trenches. Our field guns replied as far as the limited supply of ammunition permitted. A good many rifle grenades and trench-mortar bombs were fired into H.21, to which we replied. Casualties.2 OR were killed, and 9 wounded. ¹

    

• 5^th Aug. Died of wounds. Hooge area. (Holding trenches G 10 to 1st house on Menin Road). Ernest died of infection most likely from a wound received at the  line shown in the map on the 4^th or 5^th of Aug 1915. It’s not recorded if this death was on this line or in a Casualty Clearing Centre or in transit to CCS..³
  
  • The enemy replied to our artillery bombardment this morning with heavy field-gun fire and some 5.9s. His mortars were also active, and ours replied. We put 5 mortar bombs into the enemy’s redoubt opposite Railway Wood, as a working party was seen there. The situation today was altogether more lively than usual. The enemy was trench-mortaring (sic) and firing “whizz-bangs” all day. The latter from field guns cause 95 percent, of our casualties. We ourselves replied with trench mortars and catapult bombs. The enemy’s aerial – torpedo mortar was located, and one of our 9.2-inch howitzers fired at it, the first shot, it is believed, is a “direct hit” I sincerely hope so, as its projectile is very trying to the nerves. Casualties. 2 ORs killed, and 5 wounded (one likely Ernest).¹

Sources

1. War Diary of 5th (Service) Bn. Oxford and Bucks LI
2. Personal effects record

Memorial Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial

Blencowe, Ernest KIA 5 Aug 1915, Rank: Private Service No: 10133, Date Of Death: 05/08/1915, Regiment/Service: Oxford And Bucks Light Infantry, 5th Bn. Panel Reference

Panel 37 And 39.

Remembered at St Mary’s Neithrop Oxon. and Marlborough Rd. Methodist Church Banbury.

WW1 Memorial to Blencowes at the Marlborough Rd Methodist Church Banbury

Medals

Awarded 1914-15 Star British and Victory medals. In about 1921-22 Mother Ada Blencowe would have received a Plaque and King’s scroll for both sons Alfred and Ernest. Tragically had lost a second son Alfred within a year of Ernest’s death.

Gallery

Note: there are 4 service records for this man that exist that are not shown in this gallery for copyright reasons.