Alfred Blinco [396]

 

1869-1947

Father Nm: James Moses Blincoe [490] c 27.10.1839 Langley Marish-1873: oldest known ancestor – William Blincko, C1635, Hedgerley.

Mother Nm: Fanny Matilda Jillians [2292] born c 1831 died 1899 nr Eton.

Marriage Dt:1899 to Mary Mears, Marriages Sept 1899 West Ham 4a 497.

K comments: Son Stanley George was mentined in despatches in WW2 serving with the Royal Artillery.in Italy

Spouse Comments: Mary Mears [3454] 1871-1956.

Children: Alfred Mears 1900, Louisa Grace 1903, William James 1905, Stanley George 1906.

(Research): I.G.I.

1871 Census George Green Bucks

1. James Blinco 31
2. Fanny H Blinco 39
3. Edward Gillians 16
4. Fanny M Gillians 25
5. Mary D Gillians 12
6. James T Gillians 10
7. Henry Jos Blinco 8
8. Thomas Blinco 6
9. Alfred Blinco 2

1881 Census George Green Bucks

1. James M. Blinco 42
2. Fanny M. Blinco 49
3. James T. Blinco 19
4. Henry J. Blinco 17
5. Alfred Blinco 12
6. Elizabeth S. Blinco 10
7. Ellen L. Blinco 8
8. Rosa J. Blinco 7
9. Fanny Blinco 4
10. Sarah Spicer 84

1887 Enlisted in the Army

• 6 September 1887. Enlisted at Hounslow. Regimental Number: 2244  2^nd Bn. Middlesex Regiment.

1888

• Posted to 1st Bn Middlesex Regiment , Aldershot
• To Ireland with the 1st Bn

1889

• Transferred to the 2nd Battalion Middlesex and sent to India

1892

• 13 May. Promoted to Corporal

1895
1 April. Promoted to Sergeant at Ahmed Nagar

1897-98
Transport Sergeant

Indian Expeditions

Took part in to relieve the sieged British Garrison there in July/Aug 1897 this is in the north-west of India on the border with Afghanistan. Winston Churchill was famously involved in the relief of this fort and wrote about it in this story. The Malakand field force

Alfred was also involved in the Tirah Expedition in the mountain’s west of Peshawar on the Indian Northwest frontier to reclaim British outposts there from the Alfridis. This took place from Oct-Dec 1897.

Alfred was awarded the India Medal with three clasps Malakand, Tirah and Punjab.⁶

1898

• Returned to England and Joined the 4th Battalion

1899

1 February. Promoted to Colour Sergeant

1900

• 4 February. Went with the 4th Bn to South Africa

South Africa War

The 2^nd Battalion Middlesex Regt. was ordered out of India on the 11^th November 1899 and were with the relief force at the Battles of Spionkop, Vaalkrantz and the breakthrough.

The 2^nd Battalion sailed on the Avondale on 2^nd December 1899 and arrived at the Cape about the 25^th. They were sent round to Durban. ….

The Middlesex were part of the garrison of Spion Kop on the fatal 24^th January and lost heavily, their casualties being approximately 3 officers and 20 OR’s killed, and 5 officers and 60 OR’s wounded. Two men were recommended for the distinguished conduct medal for very exceptional gallantry. In his despatch of 30^th January 1900, General Buller bore testimony to the gallant and admirable behaviour and endurance of the troops who were on the hill, including the Middlesex Regiment, who “magnificently maintained the best traditions of the British army”.

In the fighting between 13^th and 27^th February, the battalion was several times engaged, but its losses were not serious. Lieutenant Colonel A W Hill was mentioned in the despatch of 30^th March 1900.

At the battle of Alleman’s Nek the Middlesex Regiment assisted in taking the hill on the right of the Nek and did well. Their losses were approximately 1 killed and 9 wounded.

In his final despatch of 9^th November 1900, General Buller mentioned 4 officers and 7 non-commissioned officers and men of the battalion, and 8 officers and 19 non-commissioned officers and men were mentioned in Lord Roberts’ final despatch.

Alfred was awarded the King’s Medal and clasps 1901 and 1902 South Africa. and in C1908 the Long Service and Good Conduct medal.

1901 Census

Wife and child in Barracks Heston Middlesex

Alfred was on duty in South Africa.

1902

• Returned to England

1906

• Joined the volunteer staff of the 17th North Middlesex Rifles in Camden Town
• Discharge 5 Sept 1906 21yrs service

1908

5^th Sept. Discharged after 21 years service to 36 Westminster Rd Camden Town.

1911 Census Army Pensioner, 39 Huxley Road, N Edmonton Middlesex

1. Blinco Alfred Head Army Pensioner Post Office Cleaner M 1869 Langley 42
2. Blinco Alfred Son M 1901 West Ham 10
3. Blinco Louisa Dau F 1903 Hounslow 8
4. Blinco Mary Wife F 1871 Westminster London 40
5. Blinco Stanley Son M 1907 Camden 4
6. Blinco William Son M 1905 Camden 6

Middlesex Regiment	Labour Corps

WW1

Blinco Alfred, 1869, George Green, Company Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class 2. 1350, 604180, 13^th Bn. Middlesex Regiment, Labour Corps.

Synopsis

Alfred was probably the longest-serving Blencowe. he was nearly 50 when he was finally discharged and had service that pre-dated the South African war of 1899-1901. His military experience ensured a high non-commissioned rank in the war and it was from September 1915 until the end in 1918. Recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal in the First world war he was it seems not awarded this high honour but nevertheless has obviously carried out brave deeds (In 1918 Alfred was mentioned in despatches and this may have been in relation to DCM recommendation). In 1915 on arrival in France, Alfred was sent to the Bethune sector but in early 1916 moved to the Ypres salient. In the summer he was in the Somme and then in September returned to the Bethune sector. He stayed in this area until June 1917 going north again to the Ypres salient but by November was far south in the Saint Quentin-Cambrai area. The German Spring Offensive of 1918 drove his battalion east.

Map of Alfred’s known war-time movements here.

1914

• 16^th Sept. One of the longest-serving Blencowe’s, Alfred had already completed 22 years of service before he enlisted 16^th Sept 1914 for more duty.
• 17^th Sept. Alfred was posted to the 13^th (Service) Bn. Middlesex Regt. As a Colour Lance Sergeant.
• 2^nd Oct. Promoted to Acting Sergeant Major.

The 13^th (Service) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge’s Own) was raised at Mill Hill in September 1914 as part of Kitchener’s Third New Army and joined 73^rd Brigade, 24^th Division. They trained on the South Downs, spending the winter billets in Hove. They moved to Shoreham in May then to Pirbright in June for final training.

1915

• 28^th Jan. Promoted to Colour Sergeant Major.
• 1^st Sept. Embarked for France landing at Boulogne. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4^th September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos.
• 25^th -30^th Sept. Beuvry- Battle of Loos.

  

  “Here the Battalion for the first time came under fire (shells and rifle fire).“ Owing to the isolated position of the men in the front trenches, it was impossible to pass up supplies, except by night. On the Sunday and Monday nights, a small quantity of water, biscuit, and ammunition was sent from the Companies in Support trenches to those in front, but these men would have suffered much more severely if it had not been for the 2^nd Queen’s Regt. who generously shared with them what rations they had. Heavy fighting on the left of the line the position of two Companies of the Battalion very precarious, but it held on to its ground until relieved on the morning of the 29^th when the party numbering about 170 all ranks marched back to Beuvry. ⁴

  • Killed: Officers 0 Other Ranks 13 (CWGC records as 40 killed for the period)
  • Wounded: Officers 7 Other Ranks 77
  • Missing: Officers 3 Other Ranks 704
• Alfred Recommended for Distinguished Conduct Medal. During the afternoon of Monday 27^th September, a part of the 10^th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders passed across the front line held by A and D Companies and suffered very heavy casualties about 500 yards in front of our line. One of their NCO’s called for volunteers to bring in wounded who were lying out under heavy fire – and at least 20 men went and brought in Colonel Mackenzie, a Major and about 20 wounded men, some of these men were severely wounded in doing so. – No.4761 Pte G. Francis mortally. The following were recommended for the D.C.M.:-
  • No. 1350 Coy Sergt. Major Blinco
  • No. 970 Coy Sergt. Major Llewellyn (wounded) for taking up ammunition under heavy fire. Awarded D.C.M.
  • No. 1160 Sergt. F.G. Triggs
  • No. 4872 L/Cpl E.G. Ford
  • No. 8052 Pte Monk
  • No. 4532 Pte G. Graham
  • No. 10347 Pte J. Cooper (wounded) awarded D.C.M.
• 2^nd Oct. Promoted to Acting Sergeant Major.

1916

• 17th Feb. Zillebeke. “H” trenches east of Chateau Wood. Support trenches ..was drained and improved. Enemy snipers were active opposite H16. A German wearing a brown uniform with a flat round cap with a white band was observed looking over the German parapet opposite H17, he was shot. At 3.15 pm the enemy shelled H16 with HE and made a direct hit on the machine gun emplacement in H16 killing 4 men and wounded 4. Casualties 5 OR killed, 8 OR wounded. Work was done continued reconstruction as the previous day.” Note CWGC records 11 men killed for 16/17^th Feb.
• 29^th-30^th Apr. The German gas attack at Wulverghem.

  

  The enemy carried out a gas attack on a considerable scale near Wulverghem, on a front of 3,500 yards held by the 3^rd and 24^th Divisions. The operation was opened by heavy rifle and machine-gun fire under cover of which the gas was released.¹

• 29^th/30^th Apr. “On the night of the 29^th/30^th, the enemy released gas from his trenches at 01:00 hrs. The right Company were the first to get it, then the left. It then passed on over Well Walk, Stinking Farm, La Plas Deuce Farm and Highland Farm. It was inclined to particularly cling to the low ground by the Deuce, Fisher’s Place was practically free from gas. The enemy did not attempt an infantry attack. Our artillery was excellent. The enemy put up barrages that were not effective. The night was very dark. The enemy fired machine guns which swept our parapet in order that the hissing of the gas leaving cylinders should not be heard and also keep the sentries heads down.
  • CWGC deaths: 18 men were killed between 30^th Apr -2^nd May.
  • War Diary states;
    • Gassed: Officers 2 (2^nd Lieut. Weldon Williams and 2^nd Lieut. G.F. Rumer), OR 40
    • Some 30 OR slightly gassed “at duty”.⁴
• 20^th -27^th Jun. Trenches Spanbroekmole nr. Locre. The Bn relieved 4^th East Yorks Regt. in Spanbroekmole trenches (E1-F5). This sector is very long being about 1000 yards of the front with a salient known as the Bull Ring at the south end.
  Distance from enemy trenches at the north end about 300 yds.
  • 22^nd Jun. In the evening a heavy ‘Minnie’ dropped on a Bombers dugout in E3, killing 4 men and wounding 4.
  • CWGC records 10 men killed in this period.
• 25^th -31^st Jul. Arrived Saleux by train and marched to billets at Molliens-Vidames. Entrained at Hangest-sur-Somme for Vecquemont 31^st and from there marched to Corbie.
• 2^nd Aug. To Happy Valley
• 17^th Aug. Trenches at Arrow Head Copse.
• 18^th Aug. The Battle of Guillemont. A deadly day for the battalion.Attack towards Guillemont, advance on right of Trones Wood Road checked by crossfire. “2.45 p.m. battalion attacked Guillemont trenches but was held up just outside them by M.Gs from a strong point on right and then shelled heavily while lying in the open.”⁴ Withdrew to La Briqueterie. The CWGC records 119 men were killed on the 18^th Aug making it the single most devastating day for the battalion in the war.

  

• 19^th Aug. To the craters in front of Carnoy.
• 22^nd Aug. Sandpit Camp
• 30^th/31^st Aug. Battle of Delville Wood.The Bn. held front line positions at Delville Wood. Official History of The Great War records that after almost 400 had become casualties from German bombardment, the Bn. was attacked and forced out of Tea Trench on 31^st Aug.
• CWGC records 55 men killed on 31^st Aug. bringing to a total of 188 killed in this deadliest of months for the battalion. Casualties )of all sorts) for the month according to the War diary were 563 (more than half of the total battalion complement).⁴
• 1^st Sept. To Pommiers Redoubt and Mouflers for a period of well-earned rest.
• 6^th-19^th Sept. Dernancourt, Entrained at Edgehill for Longpre and from there marched to Mouflers. entrained at Longpre for Fouquereuil and Bethune sector.

1917.

• 1^st Apr. Advance Party proceeded to Carency Sectors to take over from the 46^th & 47^th Canadian Bns.
• 9^th – 16^th Apr. The Battle of Vimy Ridge. The Bn. attacks on 15-16^th toward Lievin. CWGC records 31 battalion men killed in this period. See map and war diary entry.⁴
• Summary of Casualties during the Month of April.⁴
  • Total: Officers 7, OR 151
• 7^th--23^rd Jun. The Battle of Messines Ridge. The battle for the Messines Ridge was an attempt by the Allies to capture land to the southeast of Ypres to gain control of the higher land in the Ypres Salient. Following the detonation of 19 massive mines under the German lines, the Artillery and Infantry would have taken full advantage of the disarray in the German lines. The line was advanced to capture Wytschaete and Oostaverne.
  • 7^th Jun. Afternoon. 13.30 hrs. Within a few minutes of arrival the Bn. went over the top under an excellent barrage. Our objective was known as the Green Line. ??? extended ??? the front edge of Ravine Wood on the right via Olive Trench to the Hollebeke Rd on the left. The objective was gained without much difficulty, the Coy on the right consolidating well in front of Ravine Wood & Verhaest Fm. (see map and war diary entry). During the first day the enemy’s artillery was erratic & the Bn. suffered more from lack of water than from anything else. During the attack about 100 unwounded & 20 wounded were captured, mostly in the Ravine. Also 5 Machine Guns, 1 Trench Mortar and a large quantity of material. The prisoners included 2 Officers.⁴
  • 8^th-11^th Jun. In the line trying to take Olive trench, heavy shelling with consistent casualties each day. The 10^th Jun was the worst of these days with 15 men killed.
  • 19^th-22^nd Jun. Bn. relieved 2nd Leinsters in the line, from Railway Embankment in Battle Wood to Ypres-Comines Canal.
  • 23^rd Jun. Relieved in the trenches. The CWGC records 61 battalion men killed in this period.
• Jul. The battalion rested and was in billets at Battalion moved to billets at Renescure, then moved to billets at Caestre, Reninghelst. and finally camped at Dickiebusch.
• 31^st Jul.-3^rd Aug. The Battle of Pilckem Ridge.
  • 31^st Jul. The Bn was in support of the 73rd Bde offensive but the first objective wasn’t gained and the Battalion moved forward to take part in the attack. Bn. HQ moved from Larch Wood to Canadian Dugouts in the evening.
  • 1^st-3^rd Aug. The Bn. was on the front line west of Shrewsbury Forest.
  • CWGC records show 20 men killed in this period.
• 23^rd-27^th Aug. South of Inverness Copse. Attack by Enemy 34^th Infantry-Division.
  • 23^rd Aug. Bn takes over the left subsection from 1^st R.Fusiliers (Sector S of Inverness Copse). Enemy shelling was heavy during this tour.
  • 24^th Aug. On the morning of the 24^th, C & D Coys repelled an enemy counterattack. This attack was an effort on the part of the enemy to recapture a dugout that had been taken from him 2 nights previously.
  • 27^th Aug. Bn relieved by 8th Queens. CWGC records 37 men killed in this period.
• 30^th Nov-1^st Dec. Cambrai Operations. The Bn. role was limited in this battle and CWGC records show no fatal casualties for these two days. On the 1^st Dec., there was the German counter-attack. War diary reflects that considering the amount of shelling the battalion fortunate.

1918

• Feb. Bn. was in Div. Support at Hervilly. A large number of working parties.
• March. The month began in Bernes and then onto Vermand. On 24^th ordered to concentrate at Chaulnes.
• 25-28^th Mar.German Spring Offensive.
  • 25^th Mar. Order rec’d to move forward to positions for a counter-attack on the line Curchu-Dreslincourt, this was done in cooperation with the French. But German advance caused the Bn. to retreat to line Chaulnes to Hallu Rd.
  • 26^th Mar. The Bde on the right having been penetrated, orders rec’d to wIthdraw fighting via Chilly & Mehauricourt. Bn later concentrated at Warvillers.
  • 27^th Mar. “A” Coy involved in a counter-attack. Withdrew to the new position of defence.
  • 28^th Mar. The Bn was ordered to withdraw via Beaucourt & Mezieres to Villers-Aux-Erables to concentrate on another defence. The German offensive petered out at this stage. The battalion had 153 casualties for the month of March and lost 13 men killed in the period 25-28^th.
• April. The war diary states no casualties this month although CWGC records 5 deaths for the Bn. The final resting place of Houdain in the Bethune sector took them away from the combat areas.
• May.Lens sector. The Bn relieved the 1st C.M.R. in the Hill 70 Sector on the night of the 1^st /2^nd May and spent some tours in the line during the month. Casualties; 11 men were killed during May.
• June. Lens sector. One trench raid on 17th May NE of Loos. Casualties for the month 55 and CWGC records 8 men killed.
• 9^th Jul. Alfred Transferred to the Labour Corps (possibly because he had been sick or wounded) posted to No. 74 POW Coy. As the number of POWs increased a decision was made to employ them in France in Labour Units administered by the Labour Corps. These units were 500 men strong and undertook a variety of tasks. All PWs were trade tested and some were employed in skilled jobs in workshops but most worked in forests, on roads and railways and in docks. They were not allowed to move ammunition, weapons, forage or fuel and were always employed in the rear areas. After the war ended there were some 400 companies and most were employed on salvage and clearing the battlefield.
• 12^th Dec. Alfred was honourably discharged from the Western Command Labour Corps (SWB List) which was was a Reserve Labour Company that was stationed at Oswestry. He was discharged sick but it was the end of the war he had served 26 years and was 49 yrs of age so he may have only been mildly sick to get an early and well-earned release the Silver War Badge being awarded.
• 30^th Dec 1918. Mentioned in Despatches London Gazette 30th Dec 1918 from General Haig names deserving special mention 604180 CSM A. Blinco 74 POW Coy.⁵

Sources

1. Wartime memories @ http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/.
2. The Highland Light Infantry Chronicle.
3. Westlake’s ‘Battalions on the Somme’.
4. 13^th Battalion Middlesex Regiment – War diary.
5. The London Gazette Publication date:27^th December 1918 Issue:31088 Page:15197.
6. Medals Sources: UK, Military Campaign Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1949.

Medals

Awarded the 1914-15 Star, British, Victory medals and Silver War Badge. The medal cards also show that Alfred was Mentioned in Despatches 30^th Dec. 1918. The Oak Leaf was awarded for a mentioned in despatches and attached to the Victory Medal.

After the War

1921 Census

110, Grange Road, Plaistow, West Ham, Essex

Alfred Blinco Head Male 1869 52 Buckinghamshire, England Beerhouse Retailer Employer Mary Blinco Wife Female 1871 50 Westminster, London, England Assists Alfred Rlinces Beerhouse Keeper Alfred Blinco Son Male 1900 20 Plaistow, Essex, England – – Louisa G Blinco Daughter Female 1903 18 Hounslow, Middlesex, England – – William J Blinco Son Male 1905 16 London, England – – Stanley G Blinco Son Male 1906 15 London, England

1939 Census

29 Sep 1939	40 Lees Road, Hillingdon, Uxbridge U.D., Middlesex
Alfred Blinco 24 Mar 1869 Male – Married Mary Blinco 25 Dec 1879 Female – Married William J Blinco 05 Mar 1905 Male – Single

Death 1947 age 77 years

Formerly a Timber Yard labourer of Uxbridge. Middlesex, Volume: 5f, Page: 509

Registered by daughter Louisa Grace Phillips.

Obituary

Uxbridge & W. Drayton Gazette March 7, 1947

GALLERY

There are image records that are not shown for this man because of copyright protection.