Blencowe Norman

Norman Blencowe [3902]
1870-1940

Father Nm: Frederick Blencowe [4969] 1833 Brackley -1909 Edmonton: Oldest known ancestor Thomas Blencowe c. 1475 Marston St Lawrence.

Mother Nm: Ellen Emma Redhead [5206] 1834.

Marriage Dt: 24 November 1908 to Marion Helen Punnett, St. Vincents, West Indies.

K comments:

Spouse Comments: Marion Helen Punnett.

Children:

(Research):GR[B] Newcastle on Tyne March 1870 1881 Census[Daphne Austin].

1871 Census Newcastle, Northumberland
  1. Frederick Blencowe 34
  2. Ellen Emma Blencowe 33
  3. Myle Blencowe 6
  4. Merton Blencowe 2
  5. Norman Blencowe 1
1881 Census 4 Northumberland Street
  1. Frederick Bleucowe 40 Draper
  2. Fred.J. Bleucowe 16
  3. Clement M. Bleucowe 12
  4. Norman Bleucowe 11
  5. Mary E. Bleucowe 9
  6. Florence Bleucowe 6
1891 Census Islington
  1. Fred Blencowe 54
  2. Norman Blencowe 21 Hydraulics Engineer
  3. Nellie Blencowe 19
1893 West Indies

It would appear that Norman a Hydraulics engineer had a career change and went to St Vincent in the West Indies before 1893.

Norman writes to the Newcastle Weekly Chronicle on 1 July 1893 as per acknowledgements in that edition he is addressed as Norman Blencowe West Indies

Trinidad and Tobago

Norman lived for some time in Trinidad it seems.

In 1916 Norman in RAF attestation states he was a Planter and that his wife Marion was living at Cane Grove Estates St. Vincent West Indies. He further states that his wife is insane and in the charge of her sister. He also states he served with the Trinidad Light Horse for 2 years.

The Cap badge of the Trinidad Light Horse
1902 St Vincent, West Indies

The Cane Grove Estate was a famous Sugar Cane Estate and it’s likely he was an employee of the estate as a Planter. Evidence below of Freemasons membership

Name: Norman Blencowe
Gender: Male
Initiation Age: 32
Birth Year: abt 1870
Initiation Date: 13 Jun 1902
First Payment Year on Register: 1903
Year Range: 1887-1909
Profession: Planter
Lodge: St. George Lodge
Lodge Location: Kingstown St Vincent WI
Lodge Number: 2616
Folio Number: 236

Marriage to Marion Helen Punnett in St Vincent.

It’s notable that Marion is possibly descended from Christopher Punnett 1782-1844 the owner of Golden Grove Estate, St. David’s, and Cheltenham Estate, Mustique in his lifetime.

 

1907 Grenada St lucia

Norman appears in the Colonial List for this year as a Preventive Officer on a Revenue Cruiser

 

May 1914 Arrives Canada

Lived at Masonic Temple Winnipeg.

1 Jun 1915

Emigrates/Travels to Canada from Bermuda.

Canadian Passenger Lists, 1865-1935 about Norman Blancowe, Date of Arrival: 1 Jun 1915, Vessel: Chaudiere, Port of Arrival: St.John, New Brunswick, Port of Departure: Bermuda

 

Royal Flying Corps

Royal Air Force
WW1

Blencowe Norman, 1870, Newcastle, Army, Corporal Clerk, 29954 Royal Flying Corps, RAF.

1916
  • 30th Apr. PhiladelphiaShipArrived from the USA to Liverpool on the ship Philadelphia, Occupation: Planter. Address intended Foxgrove, Claremount Rd. Beckley Kent. 1
  • 2nd Jun. Norman despite his age enlisted with Air Arm of the Army the Royal Flying Corps. and was engaged as a Private. Norman was refunded the costs of travelling from Winnipeg Canada and promised repatriation on demobilisation.
1917
  • 1st Oct. Promoted to Corporal Clerk. (Stores).   Record from the 1918 RAF formation: N. Blencowe Information: Before transfer to R.A.F. from R.N.A.S. or R.F.C – Rank:- Corporal, Trade:- Storeman Airforce Pay:- 4s. 0d. Terms of enlistment:- Duration of war.
    Rank: Corporal Clerk Rank (2nd): Storeman
    Service Number: 29954
    Service From Date:02/06/16
    Archive Reference: AIR 1/819/204/4/1316

    705 (1)
    The uniform of the RFC/RAF personnel was in transition to the more recognisable airmen uniform adopted later and in 1918 converted to RAF insignia when that organisation was formed. This man James Oxlade (my great grandmother’s second husband) was well over 40, like Norman when he took up service with the RAF it can be seen this uniform is practically an Army uniform with just the RFC or RAF  badge of the cap. Photo donated by step-grandson George Blinko.
  • At some time in 1917, Norman was posted to No 95 Squadron. The squadron was formed as part of the Royal Flying Corps on 8th October 1917 at RAF Ternhill, Shropshire out of No. 43 Training Squadron using a variety of aircraft. On 30th October 1917, the squadron moved to RAF Shotwick near Chester. The squadron was intended to move to France in April 1918 using the Sopwith Camel, the intended aircraft were later changed to Sopwith Dolphins but with delays, it remained at Shotwick in the training role. Other attempts were made to get aircraft and prepare for a move to France but the squadron was disbanded on 4th July 1918 without ever getting its own aircraft.
1918
  • 1st Apr. Transferred to the newly formed RAF.

    c e carter
    A Corporal in the new uniform of RAF (non-flying) note still has RFC shoulder insignia but a new and alternative Cap Badge. This man is Charles Carter a Driver with the RFC and RAF who was in the French Resistance in WW2.
  • 16th Jul. Posted to 51st Training Depot Station at Waddington near Lincoln.
1919
  • 4th Mar. Posted to Repatriation Camp Blandford.
  • 5th Jul. Embarked from Liverpool to Canada.
Sources
  1. UK Incoming Passenger Lists 1878-1960.
  2. RAF Muster (April 1918).
After the War

Appears to have returned to St Vincent after the war but…12 Apr 1922 departs St. Vincent via France for Canada.

Canada, Ocean Arrivals (Form 30A), 1919-1924, Norman Blencowe, Age: 52, Date of Arrival: 12 Apr 1922, Port of Arrival: Saint John, New Brunswick, Port of Departure: Saint-Vincent, France, Ship Name: Chaleur

Declaration form on arrival Canada states married and intention to take up work in Fredericton, New Brunswick employer to be Provincial Government farming? work.

Occupation: Planter.

New Zealand

It appears that Norman made his way to New Zealand after time in Canada.

1935 living in Hamilton

1938 living in Remuera Auckland

Death 1940

Name: Norman Blencowe
Death Age: 70
Birth Date: abt 1870
Death Date: 11 Jun 1940
Burial Place: Auckland
Cemetery: Mangere

GALLERY

Note: there are 6 records that exist for this man that is not shown in the Gallery for copyright reasons.