Percy Blencowe [4541]
Died of Wounds 08 July 1917.
1896-1917
Father Nm: Charles (Leonard) Blencowe [3087] born 2 May 1869 died 1956 Whitchurch Salop; Oldest Known Ancestor William Blincow abt 1702 Bicester.
Mother Nm: Margaret Winifred O’Hara [10799] 1868-1948.
Marriage Dt:
Kin comments:

Percy was one of six brothers who served. Albert Edward, Francis, and Harry served with the Kings Shropshire LI, George served with the Somerset LI.
Kin comments: WW1: Percy was one of six brothers who served; Thomas William with the South Staffs, Albert Edward, Harry and Francis with the Kings Shropshire LI, George with the Somerset LI.
WW2: Son Dennis James was killed at Arnhem in 1944 whilst with the RAF. Son Robert Harry was a Sergeant in the RAF during WW2 and was later awarded an MBE. Niece Justina served withe WAAF, Nephews John Leonard Manchester Regt., Francis Jesse Royal Artillery, Bryan Henry served with Royal Army Ordnance Corps
Spouse Comments:
Children:
(Research): GR[B] Whitchurch Dec 1896.
1901 Census 43 Yardington St, Whitchurch
- Blencowe Albert Son 7
- Blencowe Charles Head Baker & Confectioner 31
- Blencowe Charles Son 6
- Blencowe Francis Son 5
- Blencowe George Son 3
- Blencowe Harry Son 1
- Blencowe Catherine Dau 8
- Blencowe Margaret Wife Bread Maker 31
- Blencowe Percy Son 4
- Blencowe William Son 9
1911 Census 30 Bargates The Gray Hound Whitchurch
- Blencowe Albert Son Apprentice Plumber 17
- Blencowe Charles Head Baker 42
- Blencowe Charles Son Errand Boy Saddlers 16
- Blencowe Frank Son Post Office Telegraph Messenger 15
- Blencowe George Son 13
- Blencowe Harry Son 12
- Blencowe Kate Servant Hospital Worker 19
- Blencowe Percy Son 14
- Blencowe William Son Labourer Iron Foundry 18
Percy attended Whitchurch Grammar School as evidenced by the memorial plaque below.

WW1
Blencowe Percy, 1896, Whitchurch, Driver, 604433, A Battery, 2/1st (Shropshire) Battery. Royal Horse Artillery. 158th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
1917
- Apr. A Territorial soldier he enlisted probably at the inception of 2/1st (Shropshire) Battery which was raised on 13th April 1917.
- 7th May. The brigade moved to West Down on Salisbury Plain for firing practice.
- 24th May. Embarked to France. The brigade sailed from Folkestone to Boulogne on the 24th and moved at first to one of the camps at nearby St Martin. Three days later a move was made by rail to Bailleul. Here the 2/1st Shropshire RHA was temporarily placed under command of the New Zealand Division for instructional purposes; the Berkshire RHA went to the 4th Division and the others to the 25th Division.2
- The brigade’s first casualty was sustained on 30th May, a man from 380 battery who was wounded. Gunner J. Courtenay of the same unit was killed the next day. The first loss to the Shropshire battery was Gunner E. S. Cooper, wounded on 2nd Jun.2
Subsequent movements made by the brigade are listed below. The locations given are those of brigade HQ; the batteries would have been close by.
- 22nd Jun. Le Vean.2
- 26th Jun. Ouderdom, by lorry. This is an area of camps, dumps, and similar facilities, south-east of Poperinghe in the Second Army area of Ypres.2
- 30th Jun. 2/1st Shropshire RHA attached to 113 and 149 Brigades. Camps shelled. This is possibly the day Percy was mortally wounded.2
- 1st Jul. Some men left the battery to go to the X/30 Trench Mortar Battery.2

- 8th Jul. Percy dies of wounds – Nr Poperinghe. Death was at No 17 “Remy Siding3 Casualty Clearing Station” which was located right next to the present-day Lijssenhoek Military Cemetery on the Boescheepseweg, a road leading from Ypres to Poperinghe. This is from Graham Wilson “Percy was in 2/1st (Shropshire) Bty. Royal Horse Artillery – I understand he was a stretcher-bearer and was blown up on the battlefield at Passchendaele1, dying of his wounds on 8th July 1917, age 21. He is buried at Lijssenhoek Military Cemetery, Poperinge”.1

- 9th July: Ypres. Batteries (without Percy) take up positions near Zillebeke Lake, under orders of the 8th Division.2
Notes
- The reference to being killed at Passchendaele seems incorrect as the war diary for the brigade above suggests leading up to his death the Brigade was south-east of Poperinghe which is the other side of Ypres(Leper) from Passchendaele. The fact that he was buried at Poperinghe supports the war diary location.
- Extract from 158th Brigade RFA War diary.
- Remy or Remi Sidings is named after farmer one Remy/Remi Quaglebeurs.
About the 158 Brigade RFA
The brigade was formed at Heytesbury on 13 April 1917 under Lieutenant Colonel H. E. Hanson DSO. Batteries under command were 2/1st Shropshire RHA, 2/1st Berkshire RHA, 380 Battery RFA and 381 Battery RFA. The Brigade Ammunition Column was founded by men of the two RHA batteries.
Personal Effects
These were left to father Charles and this record confirms death at the No 17 Casualty Clearing Station Remy Siding.
Medals
Awarded British and Victory medals.
Burial
I recently made contact with Alan Blencowe a great-nephew of Percy’s who provided me with a photo of the Headstone of Percy Blencowe when he visited Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. My thanks to Alan who learned about his family whose service is remarkable and one to be proud of..
Grave reference Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery XIV – B – 15
Remembered on a WW1 Plaque at St Alkmunds, Whitchurch Parish Church memorial. and also at his old school Whitchurch Grammar.
Sources
- The BFA database and Find My Past records
- Alan Blencowe direct descendant (great nephew)
GALLERY
Note: 3 records exist for this man that are not shown in the Gallery for copyright reasons.