William James Blencowe [4192]

Known as willie

1885-1951

Father Nm: Charles Edward Blencowe (Rev) [729] born 13.10.1847 c 17.11.1847 Marston St. Lawrence died 15.7.1929 Barton on Sea Hants; Oldest known ancestor – Thomas Blencowe, C1475, Marston St Lawrence.

Mother Nm: Katherine Elizabeth Walcot born 1848 Kempsey, Worcestershire, died 1926 Marston St Lawrence.

Marriage Dt:

K comments: Brothers Oswald Charles and Lawrence Cave were both killed in action, and brother Arthur John W. was wounded twice. Sister Marjorie Edith S. was a Red Cross Nurse during the war.

This family photo was taken in 1915 when Willie was still in Canada

Spouse comments:

Children: none

(Research): GR[B] Brackley Sept 1885 JD 1891 Census* Gravestone* GR[D] Brackley vol 3b p 401 June 1951.

Born 30^th Jan 1885 Marston St Lawrence

1891 Census Marston St Lawrence

1. Charles E Blencowe 43
2. Katherine E Blencowe 43
3. Cecilia M Blencowe 13
4. Marjorie E S Blencowe 7
5. William J Blencowe 5
6. Lawrence C Blencowe 3
7. Oswald C Blencowe 1

1901 Census

Pupil at Royal Naval School Fareham Hants

1903-04

Cambridge Unversity, Medical studies

Prior to 1908

Worcester Yeomanry; 3 Years service (as reported to the Canadian Army in 1915)

1908 Emigration

• 18 July. “William Y age 28” seems very likely our William giving himself a few years mor experience. Departs Liverpool on the ship SS Canada bound for Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Occupation Clerk

1909 UK Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960

• 24 November. Name Wm J Blencowe, Birth Date: abt 1885 Age: 24, Port of Departure: Montréal, Québec, Canada, Arrival Date: 24 Nov 1909, Port of Arrival: Liverpool, England, Ports of Voyage: Montreal [Quebec], Ship Name: Atlantic, Shipping Line: Dominion Line Official Number: 127981, Occupation intended Farm Labourer.

Before 1915

Returned to Canada and British Columbia

WW1

Blencowe William James, 1885, Marston St Lawrence, Private, 629046, 47^th Bn. Canadian Infantry.

1915

• 8^th Jul. Enlisted in the 47th Bn. CEF. Vernon, British Columbia, Canada. In training in Canada until 13^th Nov 1915.

  

• 16^th Nov. Embarked for England arrived 22^nd Nov 1915 and remained there until 10^th Aug 1916. The battalion embarked at Montreal on 13 November 1915 aboard Missinabie, disembarking in England on 22^nd November 1915. Its strength was 36 officers and 1115 other ranks. The battalion arrived in France on 10^th August 1916, becoming part of the 4^th Canadian Division, 10^th Canadian Infantry Brigade. It was later reinforced by the 24^th Canadian Reserve Battalion. The battalion returned to England on 28^th April 1919, disembarked in Canada on 4^th June 1919, was demobilized on 6^th June 1919, and was disbanded by General Order 149 of 15^th September 1920.

The battalion published the “Weekly Chronicle of the 47^th Battalion” for one year, beginning on 3^rd July 1915. It also published a photographic record for the years 1914 and 1915. The battalion supported brass, pipe, and bugle bands. Its regimental air was the “Brigade march of the 56^th French”. The battalion colours were presented by the people of New Westminster and were deposited in the armories in 1919.

The 47^th Canadian Infantry Battalion was perpetuated by The Westminster Regiment.

1916

• • Time at Marston with family.  Brother Oswald also returned in March to England and featuring in one of these photos suggests a June/July 1916 visit to see his family.

• • Willie at home Marston  St Lawrence, England in early Spring 1916

• 10^th Aug. Embarked from Southampton for Le Havre France. The 47^th was operating in the region of Carency, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France.
• 13^th Aug. Transported to billets at Godwaerswelde, and then onto Victoria Camp at Reninghelst.
• 22^nd Aug. The first spell in trenches, evidence of still green troops 628530 B Cy shot by comrade accidentally and on 28^th Aug. man injured by an accidental explosion of a Mills bomb. Bombardment of the 4^th Bn. start almost immediately they are in the trenches.
• Aug-Sept In the trenches in spells
• 16^th Sept. Wytschaete. Raid on enemy trenches by two parties to gain intelligence and capture enemy soldiers. The raid killed enemy soldiers but none were captured.
• Oct. Bn. moves to Puchevilliers and Bousquenes NW of Amiens. Then moves to Warloy and nearer to Albert for a working party activity. In the trenches later in the month, casualties were taken.
• Nov. Billets at Bouzincourt and trenches near Albert, casualties taken
• 10^th Nov. Willie is missing at Regina Trench.

  

  The raid on Regina Trench was completely successful enemy soldiers and two machine guns were captured but at a high cost. Casualties 2 Officers and 39 OR’s killed, 14 OR’s missing, and 5 Officers 100 OR’s wounded. Willie’s serial number 629046 was listed under those missing, presumably, he returned to the regiment soon after.

• Dec. In billets in Bruay until the 21^st when they moved into trenches Souchez sector. One man was killed and one wounded on Christmas day. The Bn. relieved on the 26^th.

1917

• Jan. In trenches Souchez Sector, casualties 37 in the month.
• 5-11^th Feb. Front Line Carency.
• Almost daily casualties/losses in the front line due to sniper fire mainly.
• 17^th Feb, Relief of 44^th Bn. in Front Line.
• 19^thFeb. One was killed and 5 wounded.
• 20^th Feb. Intermittent enemy shelling.
• 22^nd Feb. Vimy Ridge. Wounded in the left side of the neck by shrapnel. Front Line, 5:36 pm Enemy Barrage. Willies statement about his wounding from his personal medical files.

• 23^rd Feb. 47^th Bn. being relieved by 44^th Bn. reported dead one soldier and among 5 wounded 629046 Blencowe W J. Willie operated on at 4th General Hosp. Camiers this day.
• 4^th Mar. Admitted to Endell St Military Hospital London.

  

• 13^th Mar. Moved to Canadian Convalescent Hospital Bromley.

  

• 2nd -17^th Apr. Ont. Military Hospital Orpington.
• 2nd May. TOS 1st Can Res Bn.
• 6th Jun. Proceeded to rejoin 47^th Bn.
• 7th Jun/ TOS 47^th Bn.
• 4 -9^th Sept. 11^th Canadian Field Ambulance with an infection in neck.

  

  Note: William James is recorded wounded by the Times on 12^th Mar 1917 at the battle for Arras. the family retells this as he has been gassed (see below). While the diary states wounded not gassed, it was highly likely that it was gas as the use of gas shells at this time was increasing, culminating in gas attacks at Vimy Ridge the next month that began to question the use by both sides.

1918

• 18^th Jan-2nd Feb. 14 days leave to the UK.
• 8^th Mar. Bruay. Attached to 4 Div. Employment Coy. General labouring duties around the bases, railheads, and CCS, such as loading/unloading, salvage removal, stretcher-bearers, etc.
• Apr. Chateau de Haie.
• May. Villers Au Bois , 2^nd moved to Villers Chattel and 7^th moved to Bryas. On the 25^th moved to Fernes. Jun. 6^th moved to Sachin. Jul. Moved to Maroeuil on the 11^th. Aug. Moved to Hermanville 2^nd, Hallencourt 3^rd Cavillion 6^th, Sains Amienois on 7^th,Boves Wood 11^th, Beaucourt Wood 12^th, back to Sains Amienois 21^st then Hermanville on 27^th.
• Sept. Berneville then on 6^th to Arras, then to Agny 7^th, and on 29^th to Inchy.
  27th Oct. Transferred to 8^th Div. Canadian Employment Coy. A new employment company was formed at Barlin to perform similar duties as 4^th. Moved to Bruay on 27^th.
• Nov. Bruay.
• 12^th Dec. Returned to England. Posted to General Depot Witley.

1919

• 3^rd Apr. Discharged from Seaford to home in Northamptonshire.

Sources

1. 47^th Bn. War Diary.
2. BFA Database
3. Marston St Lawrence Photograph Album

Further Notes

Three drafts comprising 5 officers and 250 other ranks, 4 officers and 244 other ranks, and 5 officers and 249 other ranks were sent to England on 17^th June, 24 June and 1^st October 1915. The battalion itself embarked at Montreal on 13 November 1915 aboard Missinabie, disembarking in England on 22^nd November 1915. Its strength was 36 officers and 1115 other ranks. The battalion arrived in France on 10^th August 1916, becoming part of the 4^th Canadian Division, 10^th Canadian Infantry Brigade. It was later reinforced by the 24th Canadian Reserve Battalion. The battalion returned to England on 28^th April 1919, disembarked in Canada on 4^th June 1919, was demobilized on 6th June 1919, and was disbanded by General Order 149 of 15^th September 1920.

The battalion published the “Weekly Chronicle of the 47^th Battalion” for one year, beginning on 3^rd July 1915. It also published a photographic record for the years 1914 and 1915. The battalion supported brass, pipe, and bugle bands. Its regimental air was the “Brigade march of the 56th French”. The battalion colours were presented by the people of New Westminster and were deposited in the armories in 1919.

The 47^th Canadian Infantry Battalion was perpetuated by The Westminster Regiment.

Medals

Entitled to British and Victory medals, but was not entitled to the Class A Canadian War Service Badge, because he did not return to Canada after the war.

Willie was entitled to wear two wound stripes on his dress uniform.

Further reading about Gas attacks – A Proper Slaughter”: the March 1917 Gas Raid at Vimy Ridge by Tim Cook.

After the War

On his death, Willie’s father, Rev Charles Edward bequeathed Home Farm Marston to him in 1929 and he was to become a farmer for 8 years before on 24 March 1937 the Farm was put up for sale and Willie retired.

AFTER THE WAR

1917-1929

Note: It would seem in 1917 the Reverend Charles Edward Blencowe moved into the Marston House (inherited from his brother J A Blencowe) So about this time Marjorie now serving in Banbury and Cecilia would have moved into the House as well. Willie in 1919 discharged would have been next and while Arthur could have moved in during a leave period in the war likely his full-time residence was in 1921 when discharged.

1919

• On discharge, Willie returns to live at Marston St Lawrence and doesn’t seem to have thought about returning to Canada.

1926

• 8 July. Death of Mother Katharine.

1928

• The Marston House is to be let and the family has decided to move to Hampshire. Father Charles Edward goes to Resthaven Barton on Sea and the four siblings move nearby to Forest Gate, Barrs Wood Road (New Milton) Lymington.

1929

• 15 July. Father dies at Resthaven Barton on Sea he leaves the house to eldest son Arthur but this probate was settled in 1934.

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1939 CENSUS

1939 shows the four siblings still living at Forest Gate Barrs Wood Road, Lymington Hampshire.

Marjorie and sister Cecilia serve with the Women Voluntary Service Civil Defence group for their local unit

First name(s)	Last name(s)	Birth date	Sex	Occupation	Marital status
Cecilia	Blencowe	13 Dec 1877	Female	Private Means	Single	WVS Civil Defence
Arthur	Blencowe	06 Dec 1880	Male	Retired Lieut Colonel	Single
Marjorie (E S)	Blencowe	26 Mar 1884	Female	Private Means	Single	WVS Civil Defence
William	Blencowe	30 Jan 1885	Male	Land Agent & Farmer Retired	Single

1940-41

The family it seems returns to Marston and Church Cottage a Newspaper article of 1922 establishes Willie in Marston.

1942

• February. Solid evidence Willie is living at Church Cottage, Marston he is cautioned for having a dangerous dog.

  

Death 1951 age 65 years

Died at Church Cottage Registered at Brackley, Northamptonshire, Volume: 3b Page: 401

Probate

England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966 about William James Blencowe, Name: William James Blencowe, Probate Date: 6^th Mar 1953, Death Date: 7^th Apr 1951 Death Place: Northamptonshire, England Registry: London, England.

Photographs and Statement

Most of these Blencowe family photographs on the page were donated by Peter Blencowe and can be used if a license for re-use is granted. Apply to this editor for a license.

Note: In the case of non-commercial purposes the license is likely to be granted. The dates and places of the specific Blencowe photographs are a work in progress and any dates and places named are mostly best guesses that may be updated over time.

Gallery