William Henry Blenko Snr  [6595]

1897-1969

SS# 236-44-0938 WV.

Father Nm: William John Blenko [3176] born 8.12.1854 Bethnal Green died 23.11.1933 Milton W. Virginia: Oldest known ancestor – Huett Blencowe, C1720, Wolverton.

Mother Nm: Sarah Ann Balman 1868.

Marriage Dt:

K comments: Brother Walter John served with RAF, Son William Henry Jr served in Army Air Services WW2 his wife Jeanne with the RAF. Nephew Walter John Jnr served with the 95th Infantry Division in WW2.

Spouse comments: Marion Hunt 1900–1989 BIRTH 7 DECEMBER 1900 • Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania DEATH 3 SEPTEMBER 1989 • Milton, Cabell County, West Virginia,

 

Children: William Henry Jr. 1921.

(Research): Walter B Birth Date of Registration: Apr-May-Jun 1899, Greenwich, London, Volume: 1d, Page: 1012.

Emigrated to the USA with family 1899

1900 Census Howard, Indiana

1. Wm J Blanco 45
2. Sarah Blanco 31
3. Grace A Blanco 6
4. Wm H Blanco 3
5. Walter J Blanco 1

1910 Census Port Marion, Fayette, Philadelphia

1. William J Blenko 54 Glass manufacturer
2. Sarah Blenko 41
3. Grace Blenko 16
4. William Blenko Jr13 Purchasing Agent -Engineering Co.
5. Walter Blenko 11
6. Gertrude Blenko 2

US Army Air Services

WW1

Blenko William Henry, Sergeant, 1338214, Signal Corps, AS Jefferson, Army Air Services Signal Corps, 496 Aero Squadron.

1918

• 7^th Jan. Enlisted at Jefferson Barracks Missouri.
• 3^rd Feb. Signal Corps Air Services Jefferson Barracks Missouri. HQ Aviation Mobile Depot, Camp Sevier, South Carolina to Mar 1918 (training).

  

• 30 March. William embarks on USS President Lincoln for Europe on what was one of her last sailings as it was sunk by a German Uboat on 31st May 1918.

Name: William H Blenko
Departure Date: 30 Mar 1918
Departure Place: Hoboken, New Jersey
Address: 316 E Mulberry St
Residence Place: Lancaster, O
Mother: Sarah Blenko
Ship: President Lincoln
Military Unit: Assc
Rank: Private
Service Number: 1,338,214
Notes: Camp Sevier March Replacement Detachment “B”

• April.  William joined the 496 Aero Construction Squadron in France (it had been there since Oct 1917).

496 Aero Construction Squadron 1918-1919

The military records show that William joined the 496 Aero Construction Squadron at a French Cavalry post near Tours France called Beaumont Barracks, where the Squadron had been since Nov 1917. This Barracks was to become the HQ of the Air Services in 1918. The 496 Construction Squadron was made up of specialist skills like typists, clerks, accountants, bookkeepers etc all selected from a large pool were specialists in their trades/skills.

1919

• Jan-Mar. 496 Aero Construction Squadron to Mar 1919
• 10^th May. Transferred to 1111 Aero Replacement Squadron Air Services.
• William joined this squadron who were HQ in Rome and was the support for all Air Services in Italy.
• Transferred to 468 Aero Construction Squadron to discharge. The 468 Squadron was based at Orly near Paris in May 1918 (Corrells History of the AEF ) so this is likely where William was last posted before his discharge.
• 12^th Jul. Honourable discharge.

Ranks and progression

Private 1st Class 26 Jul 1918

Corporal 1 Aug 1918

Sergeant 1st Class 16 Jan 1919

Sources

1. The U.S., Adjutant General Military Records, 1631-1976 Name: William H Blenko Report Year: 1917-1918 Service State: Ohio
2. Correll’s History of the AEF Air Service -www.fold3.com
3. Army Transport Services Records Ancestry

Medals

William qualified for the US Victory Medal, awarded for service between 6 April 1917 to 11 November 1918 for any military service. He further qualified for the France clasp for this medal. William most likely received the Ohio Service medal as well.

Ohio Soldiers in WWI, 1917-1918

Name William H. Blenko, Age: 20 11/12 Years, Birth Date: abt 1897.

Birth Location: Kokomo, Indiana, USA, Enlistment Date: 7 Jan 1918, Enlistment County: Jefferson Barracks, Enlistment State: Missouri. Comments: Signal Corps AS Jefferson Barracks Mo to 3 Feb 1918; Headquarters Aviation Mobile Depot Cp Sevier Summary Court to 21 March 1918; Cp Sevier Summary Court March Replacement Draft AS Signal Corps to 11 May 1918; 496 Aer Squadron to 14 March 1919; 1111 Aer S.

After the War

1920 United States Federal Census

Name: William H Blenko

1. William J Blenko 65
2. Sarah Blenko 51
3. William H Blenko 22
4. Walter Blenko 20
5. Gertrude Blenko 12

1930 United States Federal Census

Milton, Cabell, West Virginia, USA

1. William H Blenko 33 Manufacturer
   
2. Marrion H Blenko 29
3. William H Blenko 9

1940 United States Federal Census Milton, Cabell, West Virginia

1. Name: William H Blenko]

1. William H Blanks 43
2. Marion Blanks 40
3. William H Blanks 19
4. Manna Lucas 22

1942 U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards,

The Blenko’s have been fairly well covered on the internet and other media mainly because of the fame of William’s father and the ‘Blenko Glass’ he and subsequent generations produced.

William John Blenko, born in London in December 1854, was an English glassmaker who came to the United States to manufacture glass for stained glass windows. He made several attempts to establish a lasting business but was forced to close several times due to business recessions and then the intervention of World War I. He had four children, Grace, William Henry, Walter John, and Gertrude. In the spring of 1922, at the age of 67, he began again by setting up a small factory in Milton, West Virginia. In 1923 his older son, William Henry joined him. In the early 1930s, they expanded the product line to include tableware and decorative glass pieces.

In November 1933 William John died leaving William Henry to carry on the business as a sole proprietorship. Blenko Glass was incorporated as a West Virginia Corporation on April 29, 1947.

GALLERY