George Francis Blinko [4154}
1883-1959
Known as Frank.
Father Nm: George Frederick Blinko [3737] born 11.2.1859 St. Pancras : Oldest known ancestor – William Blincko 1635 Hedgerley.
Mother Nm: Sarah Ann Harling (Handscombe) born abt 1857 Maldon Kent
Marriage Dt: 1918 to Evelyn M Wollard, Edmonton, Middlesex, Volume Number: 3a, Page Number: 1472.
K comments: Brother Horace served with the Middlesex Regiment and Yorkshire Regiment. Brother Alfred Ralph served as a Lieut.with the Canadian 29th Bn. and was awarded the Military Medal for his service.
Spouse comments: Evelyn May Wollard born 12.11.1896
Children: Frank Robert 1919.
Birth 1883
Blinko George Francis Hatfield 3a 466
1891 Census
Frank is not listed at home in 1891 when he was just 7 years old.
1901 Census Hosier Lane, St Sepulchre Without Newgate
In the home of Henry Freeman a Pork Butcher Manufacturer -Frank Blinko Boarder Single Male 17 1884 Errand Boy Hertfordshire, England.
 |
| Worcester Regiment |
1905-1914
During my research in 2014-16, it seems I found facts to support Frank having enlisted with the 1st or 2nd Bn. on 23rd Aug.1905. The source was the Silver War Badge roll list. He would have most likely enlisted for a period of 12 years. The fact that he can’t be located in 1911 Census may suggest he was overseas in the military at this time.
He, however, doesn’t appear in the 1911 census at Jhansi where the 2nd Worcs were located suggesting it could have been the 1st Bn. he was within this period. No records so far found.
WW1
Blinko Frank George, 1883, Hatfield, Private, 9401, 2nd Bn. Worcestershire Regiment
1914
- August 1914: in Aldershot. Part of 5th Brigade in 2nd Division.
- 12th Aug. The 2nd Battalion Worcestershire received their orders and on the morning of August 13th, the 2nd Battalion marched down to the Government siding at Aldershot and entrained. The two trains which carried the Battalion left Aldershot at 7 am and 8 am respectively and three hours later arrived at Southampton Docks. The two half-battalions were embarked on board the transports “Lake Michigan” and “Herschel.”
- 14th Aug. Landed at Boulogne and from 21-23th Aug by train and march to the front.
- 21st Aug. The 2nd Worcestershire marched via Etreux to La Groise. Therefor the first time the Battalion had to find outposts — on the bridge at Catillon over the River Sambre. Next morning (22nd) the 2nd Division marched from La Groise by way of Landrecies to Pont-sur-Sambre. There the troops rested and bathed, this was to be the last chance they were to have of either luxury for many a long day.
- 23rd Aug. At 1 is the Battalion was roused and assembled in the dark, only to spend a long hour waiting in the road while other troops got into position. Before dawn, the Division moved off, crossed the Belgian frontier and marched through Malplaquet. They arrived at Bougnies shortly after midday and heard for the first time the distant thunder of guns.
- 23rd Aug. – 5th Sept. the Battle of Mons.
Map of positions of the 2nd Worcs. at Mons. 2nd Division Headquarters had been established at a crossroads on the Mons-Maubeuge road. On 24th Aug. the 2nd Bn. was moved to Tramieres near Mons in order to defend against the German advance in this area. As a readjustment to the lines was underway, the 2nd Bn. waited by the roadside, battery after battery of artillery galloped past them and the artillery fire in front grew more intense. The 2nd Battalion dug in across a field, on the forward slope of a gentle rise. From their position, they could see the shells bursting over Mons. Houses were burning there, and the flames lit up the sky as dusk came on. A gap in the defensive line of the 3rd and 5th Divs. around Frameries occurred and the 2nd Bn. was called forward to attack. The troops were very tired but marched forward ready for battle only to find Frameries unoccupied by the enemy. The Bn. entrenched overnight. The attack from the enemy came on the 24th slowly at first but the odds were stacked in favour of the Germans who outnumbered the British by 8 to 4 Divisions. The 2nd Bn. was ordered to retreat and there were scenes of chaos in the village of Frameries as the inhabitants joined the soldiers as they fled the advance, “The roads were crowded with terrified refugees and with disordered columns of French infantry and guns. The weather was sultry and the men were tired out and hungry. Away to the westward could be heard a distant thunder of artillery, the thunder of the battle of Le Cateau.”
- The retreat from Mons. Heavily outnumbered and pursued the 2nd Bn. undertook a 250 km retreat from Frameries to Marles east of Paris.
Retreat from Mons, Detail of the map here. Detail of the retreat here - 20th – 21st Oct. Langemarck. Fired on from hedge cover as they advanced a confused fight resulted in 18 killed, 39 wounded and 3 missing.
- 22nd– 24th Oct. Battle of Ypres. Marched to the outskirts of Ypres and the first task was the occupation of Pilkem Ridge relieving French territorials. Heavy bombardment for several days was relieved by French troops on the 24th. Casualties on 23rd Oct 22 killed 16 wounded and 10 missing.
- 31st Oct. Ghevuvelt.
The 2nd Bn. Worcs at Gheluvelt Veldhoek 1917 As the leading men reached the ridge, they came in view of the German guns whose high explosive shells were quickly directed on the charging soldiers. Over 100 of the Battalion were killed or wounded but the rest pushed on and, increasing their speed as they came to the downward slope in sight of Gheluvelt, made the final charge through hedges and on to the Chateau grounds. Here they met the remnants of the South Wales Borderers who had made a heroic stand. The meeting was unexpected, for they had believed no soldiers were left. The 2nd Worcesters had gone into this action with about 370 men of whom 187 were killed or wounded. Gheluvelt had been saved and the line restored. It is rare that the action of one unit can exert such a profound influence as did this now-famous counter-attack.
- It would seem Frank was wounded at the battle for Gheluvelt, he is discharged wounded 6 months after this battle and allowing for time to hospitalise then return to England and convalescents it probable that this is where he was seriously wounded.
1915
- 7th Apr. Honourably discharged wounded and awarded the Silver War Badge
SOURCES
- Worcestershire Regiment in the Great War Vol 1-3 Stacke.
- The Worcestershire Regiment website.
Medals
Frank was awarded the 1914 ‘Mons” Star, British, and Victory medals plus the Long Service Territorial medal for his service from 1905-1919. He does not appear to have applied for the Clasp and Rosette for which he was entitled. He was also awarded the Silver War badge because of his honourable discharge in 1915.
George entitle to wear besides his medals and SWB the following on his dress uniform; 1 Wound stripe on the left sleeve and 5 Service Chevrons one for each year the 1914 year is a red chevron
After the War
1922-1934
London, England, Electoral Registers, Haringey Tottenham.
1939 Census
George Blinko was born 21.10.1883 aircraft flex hose processor Mary (Evelyn M ) Blinko/Brown born 12.11.1896 living 111 Felixtowe Road, Edmonton M.E.
Death 1959 age 76 Years
Epping Essex, Volume: 5a, Page: 90.
Gallery
There are 5 records in the National Archives for this man. For copyright reasons, they cannot be re-published.
After the greetings at Port Said the transport “Rewa” continued her voyage home, and on the 5th March 1913, the 2nd Battalion Worcestershire landed at Southampton, after a tour of Foreign Service which had lasted more than seventeen years. With Lieutenant-Colonel C. B. Westmacott as Commanding Officer and Lieutenant B. C. Senhouse Clarke as Adjutant, the Battalion settled down to hard work at Aldershot in the 5th Brigade as part of the 2nd Division. The Aldershot Command was then held by General Sir Douglas Haig, and under the orders of that great soldier all ranks were perfected in their training for war.
In this Photo
Troops of the 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards and the 2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders on board SS Lake Michigan troopship, 6 October 1914.
© IWM
On the evening of May 14th the 2nd Worcestershire took over the frontage allotted to them for the attack with two companies, the other two companies being billeted in close support. On the left of the Worcestershire lay battalions of the Indian Corps which were to attack simultaneously. On the right of the Worcestershire was the 2nd Inniskilling Fusiliers. Further to the southward, the attacking line was continued by the 6th Brigade and the 7th Division, past Festubert to the outskirts of Givenchy.
Full details of the battle and the 2nd Worcs at
http://www.worcestershireregiment.com/bat_2_1915.php
Extract from
Worcestershire Regiment in the Great War Vol 1-2, Fitz M. Stacke, Luton: Andrews UK:2013
1-2nd Oct. In reserve in Trones Wood.
3rd Oct. Sent forward as working parties to prepare trenches for the beginning of the attack. The weather and terrible conditions of the trenches severely hindered preparation for the attack. In addition, previous loss of experienced Officers meant 9 were to be in their first leadership role in the battle. The Bn position Shamrock trench, about 50 yards east of the sunken road leading from Lesboeufs to Morval.
7th Oct. The attack of the 7th October was for the purpose of advancing the line some 1400 yards farther down the reverse slope of the Main Ridge, in order to provide a suitable “jumping off” line for a further offensive to be launched later against the fourth German line in front of Le Transloy, which guarded the Bapaume-Peronne Road. The attack however floundered badly in the mud and the German counter-attack drove the Bn. to withdraw to Trones Wood. 300 Casualties were sustained. Also in this battle Edward Henry Blenko London Regt. Harry Blencowe Oxon and Bucks Regt. and Blinco Thomas James Kings Royal Rifles Corps.
Copyright IWM
The meeting of the 2nd Worcestershire with the 1st South Wales Borderers in the grounds of the Chateau
(painting by J. P. Beadle)
The Battle of Gheluvelt October 31st 1914 “The Worcesters save the Empire”
The first shock of the German invasion came near to defeating the combined French and British Armies. The British Army stood to fight at Ypres. After ten days’ hard fighting, the 2nd Battalion, 350 strong, was the only reserve for the Gheluvelt sector. The Battalion was then resting in Polygon Wood. The line at Gheluvelt, attacked by overwhelming numbers, gave way, and the enemy took the Chateau and village. The situation was very serious, and preparations for a general retirement were made; unless the gap was closed, the Army would be lost, so, more or less as a forlorn hope, the Battalion was ordered to counter-attack.
‘A’ Company advanced to a railway embankment overlooking the village, to prevent the enemy from advancing up the Menin Road. Meanwhile, with a lightened kit and extra ammunition, the rest of the Battalion made ready for the attack. The village was hidden by a ridge, and their aiming mark was the Chateau. As they advanced, signs of the retreat were everywhere; they alone went forward.
The crest of the ridge was covered by the enemy guns and could be crossed only by a quick rush. Though over a hundred fell to the storm of shelling which met their advance, the rest dashed down the slope, forced their way through the hedges and fences and into the Chateau grounds, where they closed with the Germans.
The casualties of the Worcestershire Regiment in carrying out this counter-attack were 3 officers and 189 other ranks, or 50 percent. of their fighting strength on the day!
Surprised by the impetuous speed of the attack, the enemy, though far superior in numbers, gave way, and the attackers linked up with the remnants of the South Wales Borderers, who were still holding out.