Blencowe Thomas 1893

Thomas Blencowe
1893-1965

Father Nm: Thomas Blencowe 1838; Oldest known ancestor, Thomas Blencowe d 1755 Kings Sutton * DNA link Thomas Blencowe 1475 Marston St Lawrence.

Mother Nm: Hannah Lavinia Eddy 1864.

>Marriage Dt: 26 Apr 1924 to Elizabeth Ellen Parish.

Spouse comments: Elizabeth Ellen Parish.

Kin comments: Brothers Edward James served with the 177th Bn. Canadian Expeditionary Force and Frank served with the No 2 Construction Company.

Children:

Date of Birth: 23 Dec 1893

Birth County or District: Simcoe, Father’s Name: Thomas Blencoe, Mother’s name: Hannah Eddy, Archive Series: MS929, Archive Reel: 123.

1901 Census Oro Ontario
  1. Thomas Blencowe 67
  2. Hannah Blencowe 39
  3. Charlie Blencowe 17
  4. William E Blencowe 15
  5. Thomas Blencowe 7
  6. Eda Blencowe 5
  7. Edward Blencowe 3
  8. Nellie Blencowe 6/12
No 2 Construction Company

A Blencowe with African ancestry, Thomas served in WW1 in an all-Black military unit of the CEF.

No 2 Construction company graphic
Canadian Soldiers of the No 2 Construction Company

WW1

Blencowe Thomas, Private, 3108518, CEF No. 2 Construction Bn.

1918
  • 22nd Mar. Thomas enlisted at Hamilton, Ontario. Had previously spent a month guarding the Welland Canal.
Enlistment details

Place of Birth: Edgar, Ontario, Next of Kin: Mother Hickory St, Collingwood Ontario, Address at Enlistment:31 East Main St . Welland, Ontario, Date of Birth: Dec 16, 1894/ (see registration details ), Trade or Calling: Farmer, Marital Status: Single, Prior Military Experience:1 month guarding Welland Canal, Place of Enlistment: Hamilton, Ontario, Date of Enlistment: March 22, 1918 Age at enlistment: 22 yrs 10 months, Height:5 Feet 6 Inches Chest: 36 Inches Expansion:2.5 Inches, Religion: RC, Enlisted or Conscripted: Enlisted Ethnic Origin: Black.

Medals

War Service Badges -Army Class c

Thomas was entitled to wear the Canadian Service Badge Class C.

Awarded to those not included in Class A or B who were discharged for reasons other than misconduct. Those who served in Canada only are entitled.

The No. 2 Construction Battalion (an all-Black battalion) served in France with the majority of the men being assigned to the No. 5 Canadian Forestry Corps (Jura Group).

SOURCES
  1. No 2 Construction Company by Calvin Ruck.
  2. Commemorating No 2 Construction Company a video.
  3. Service File PDF Thomas Blencowe 1894 CEF B0821-S050

AFTER THE WAR

The Community of Toronto Celebrating the role played by Black Soldiers in WW1. In this case the No 2 Construction company that Edward;s brothers served in. Queens Park Legislature ,Toronto 1920 (Wikipedia)
The Community of Toronto Celebrating the role played by Black Soldiers in WW1. In this case, the No 2 Construction company that Thomas and his brother served in. Queens Park Legislature,Toronto 1920 (Wikipedia)
Death 1965 age 72 years

Burial: Doan’s Ridge Cemetery.

Crowland, Niagara Regional Municipality, Ontario, Canada.

GALLERY