Blenko Henry 1889

Henry Blenko [4288]

1889-1979

Father Nm: James Alfred Blenko [3215] born 1860 Bethnal Green A Iron Safe maker by trade who died 28 June 1940 Brentwood, Essex : Oldest known ancestor – Huett Blencowe, C1720, Wolverton

Mother Nm: Mary Ann Smith [6963] 1860

Marriage Dt:1921 Spouse Booth, Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1921 Bethnal Green, Vol 1c pg.336

K comments: Twin Joseph died in 1889.

Spouse comments: Lilian Judith Booth 1897-1974

Children: Lilian Gwendoline 1922, Henry J 1929

(Research): GR[B] Shoreditch June 1889 GR[D] Colchester vol 9 p 1982 Sept 1979

Baptism 24 Mar 1889: Henry and Joseph Blenko

Father’s Name: James Alfred Blenko Mother’s Name: Mary Ann Blenko, Parish South Hackney St John of Jerusalem

1901 Census

James Alfred Blenko 40
Mary Ann Blenko 41
Alice Blenko 15
Henry Blenko 12
Thomas Richard Blenko 5
Alfred Blenko 5 Months

1911 Census 140 Columbia Rd, Bethnal Green

Blenko Henry 22 Occupation Shopkeeper

Army Service Corps

WW1

Blenko Henry, 1889, Shoreditch, Private, A/257516, Army Service Corps.

Prefix A in serial number indicates ASC special reserve.

1917

10^th Jan. Letter from army requesting the attestation of Henry for the Expeditionary Force Canteens.
17^th Jan. Enlisted as a Special Reserve at London Central recruiting Depot Whitehall, age 27 a Corn merchant living and running a business at 140 Columbia Rd, Hackney Rd N E. NOK father James Alfred living 123 Cannock Rd Wolverhampton
20^th Feb. Dispatched to France. Assigned to Expeditionary Force Canteens, Canteen A.
Typical WW1 Canteen Store this one at Le Havre

Henry was based at Etaples Camp (Boulogne). The Étaples Army Base Camp, the largest of its kind ever established overseas by the British, was built along the railway adjacent to the town. It was served by a network of railways, canals, and roads connecting the camp to the southern and eastern fields of battle in France and to ships carrying troops, supplies, guns, equipment, and thousands of men and women across the English Channel. It was a base for British, Canadian, Scottish and Australian forces. At its peak, the camp housed over 100,000 people

The EFC was a forerunner to the NAAFI and was established in 1917 when Henry joined and his experience as a corn merchant would have been used in the buying and provision of goods for the canteens.

1918

20^th Jan- 11^th Feb. On home leave to the UK.
19^th Aug. Returned home to UK base.

1919

4^th Feb. Discharged and dispersed, home address 140 Columbia Rd. Hackney.

Medals

British and Victory medals awarded

After the War

Henry returned to his Corn Merchants and is listed in 1921 Directory, London Street Directory in 1921., Columbia Road, 42 Hackney Road to 320 Hackney Road (E2) (Bethnal Green) – South Side, 140 Columbia Road Henry Blenko, Corn Dealer