Blinco Francis H 1897

Francis Henry Blinco [6932]

1897-1973

Known as Frank

Father Nm: Francis Thomas Blinco [6927] born 15.8.1870 The Serpentine Bridge W. Australia c 16.9.1870 Pinjarra died 3.5.1948 Perth WA T: Oldest known ancestor – William Blincko 1635 Hedgerley.

Mother Nm: Rhoda ‘Dolly’ Lamotte [6929] 1873-1957.

Marriage Dt: 1921 to Amy Elizabeth Mainstone, Fremantle, Registration Year: 1921 Registration number: 56.

K comments: Brother Thomas died while awaiting embarkation with the Machine Gun Section of the 38^th Infantry.

Spouse Comments: Amy Elizabeth Mainstone. 24 Feb 1900 Bubury, WA dies 1985 Claremont

(Research): MW Birth Reg No.1140 12 Jul 1897. Beaconsfield, Western Australia, Australia.

Children
Joan N. Bicker (born Blinco) 1922 – 2003
John L. Blinco 1926 – 1928
Patricia L. Boulton (born Blinco) 1923 – 2000

1914

Graduated Perth Technical School ‘Mechanics’ from The Daily News 2 Jan 1915


Gallery	11^th Battalion AIF	1^stDivisional HQ

WW1

Blinco Frank (Francis Henry), 1897, Fremantle, Corporal, 3016, RA Naval Reserve, 11^th Battalion, 1^stDivisional HQ.

1915

At some time in 1915, Frank applied for an exemption to military service although the document doesn’t show details.
13^th Jul. Enlisted age 18 yrs an Apprentice Fitter. Frank had completed 4 yrs as a cadet with Royal Australian Naval Reserve.
16^th Jul. Transferred to 9^th Reinforcements 16^th Bn. AIF

1916

1^st Jan. Taken on strength 10 Reinforcements 11^th Bn. B Coy.
18^th Aug. Attached to 1st Army Headquarters.
27^th Dec. Embarked to France.

1917

2^nd Nov. Transferred to 1st Army Headquarters.
25^th Feb. Transferred back to 11th Bn. as Private then taken on strength as Corporal 1st Division Army Headquarters staff? At Fricourt.
21^st Sept.- 5^th Oct. Leave to England.

The 1^st Division was involved with the following Battles and as such Divisional DHQ would have moved to the following location as they directed operations.

Jan.1^st DHQ at Pommiers Redoubt, Montauban and on the 9^th moved to Ribemont for 3 days then onto Baisieux.
Apr-May.The Arras Offensive. The Frank and the division DHQ moved 75 km from Baisieux to Bapaume along with the troops in early April. 18^th May received orders to move DHQ back to Baisieux.
May-July DHQ based at Baisieux, 27^th July moved DHQ to Hazebrouck 58 km away.
9^th Aug. HQ moved from Hazebrouck to Vieux Berquin just 4 km away.
13^th Sept. Div and DHQ moved 25kms to the Ypres sector Scottish Lines (Ouderdorm), 17^th Sept. DHQ located at Dickiebusch Farm.
20^th Sept. The Battle of the Menin Road** began. 23^rd DHQ moved to Reninghelst and next day to 17 km to Steenvoorde.
1^st Oct. DHQ moved from Steenvoorde to Walker Camp and on 6^th Oct moved to Lille Gate part of the old fortifications of Ypres.
An unidentified soldier looks out over the Lille Gate and the Moated Wall. AWM E02074

Note; Battles going on late Sept and early Oct. Polygon Wood** and the Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle.
10^th Oct. DHQ moved back to Scottish Lines (at Ouderdom) until Oct. 23^rd supporting The Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 24^th moved DHQ to Ypres Ramparts until 15^th Nov.
16^th Nov. DHQ at Hervarre Chateau then 80 km onto Samer (near Boulogne) until 16^th Dec.
16^th Dec DHQ moved from Samer to Dranoutre.

1918

1^st Feb. After spending Christmas and January in Dranoutre the DHQ moved closer to the front at Merris (west of Bailleul).
1^st Mar. DHQ moved closer to Ypres at Scherpenburg just south of Poperinge.
Movement of Australian troops March 1918
4^th Apr. DHQ ordered to move to the Somme to Bertangles 100km south.
10^th Apr. When the enemy launched its second phase of the spring offensive, the Division was rushed from the Somme to help plug the gap and take part in The Battle of Hazebrouck (12^th – 15^th April 1918) in which the Division fought the Defence of Nieppe Forest. 12^th Apr. DHQ at Eecke then next day 13^th Apr. DHQ was set up Sercus just south of Hazebrouck, but obviously too close to the action and on the 14^th moved to La Grand Hasard. By the 17^th the DHQ moved in retreat to Wallon Cappel west of Hazebrouck.
The 1st Australian Divisional Headquarters at Wallon-Cappel. 1918 Photo AWM E02237
21^st Apr. DHQ moved to St Sylvestre Cappel north of Hazebrouck.
3^rdMay -Aug. St Sylvestre Cappel north of Hazebrouck.
4^th-6^th Aug. Orders to be relieved by 29^th Div. DHQ moved back from the front about 21kms to Seminary at Wardrecques near St Omer. But this stay was very short as on 6^th Aug. orders to go 150 km to Allonville
8^th Aug. DHQ moved 21 km to the “Red Chateau” Villers Brettoneux to take part in The Battle of Amiens (8^th – 11^th August 1918) after the battle on 16^th Aug DHQ move to nearby Corbie.
21^st Au. DHQ Corbie issues battle instructions for The Battle of Albert (21st – 22^nd August 1918) in which the Division captured Chuignes+
Sept. DHQ located at Map ref. J16. b.0.5. for The Battle of Epehy (18^th September 1918).
24^th Sept. DHQ moved to Suzanne to the west of Peronne and then onto Long, Somme on the 26^th Sept. where they stayed until 9^th November 1918.
Dec and Jan 1919 DHQ at Presles and on 20^th Jan DHQ men began to be sent to England for the return journey to Australia.
Christmas Dinner at the 1st Divisional Headquarters in Presles, attended by General T. W. Glasgow and Staff Officers of the Division. Frank facing front right. Photo AWM E03952

View 1st Division HQ movements 1917-1918 (pdf file) FH Blinco movements 17-18

1919

21^st Feb. returned to Australia on HMAT “Anchises”
28^th Feb. The Daily News Thursday 27^th March 1919 : “Mr. and Mrs. F.’T. Blinco, of ‘Hillside,’ Loch-street, Claremont, have received advice from the Base Records to the effect that their son, Corporal F. H. Blinco, left England on the 28th February, after 31/2 years’ active service.”