Blinko Horace 1886

 Horace Blinko  [4210]
1886-1957

Father Nm: George Frederick Blinko [3737] born 11.2.1859 Holloway St. Pancras :Oldest known ancestor – William Blincko 1635 Hedgerley.

Mother Nm: Sarah Ann Harling.

Marriage Dt:1922 to Lottie E George, Edmonton Vol.3a Page 1501.

K comments: Brother Alfred Ralph served with distinction in the Canadian Army and was recognised with the Military Medal. Brother Frank George served with the Worcestershire Regt.

Spouse Comments: Lottie Ellen George [11186] born 14.10.1897 died 1983.

Children: Dorothy E 1922, Julia Ellen 1924-2002, Percy Douglas 1926-1977, Maurice George 1935-1990.

(Research):GR[B] Hatfield June 1886 GR[D] Edmonton vol5e p 310 Sept 1957.

Birth  1886

Born 17.4.1886 Hatfield

1891 Census Archway Cottages Enfield
  1. George F Blinko 31
  2. Sarah A Blinko 34
  3. Percy J Blinko 5
  4. Horace Blinko 4
  5. Ernest Blinko 3
  6. Bertram Blinko 2
  7. Alfred Blinko 6/12
  8. Henry Harling 11
1901 Census 33 Lea Rd Enfield
  1. George F Blinks 41 Wardrobe Dealer
  2. Sarah A Blinks 42
  3. Percy J Blinks 15 Greengrocers Assistant
  4. Horace Blinks 14
  5. Ernest Blinks 12
  6. Alfred Blinks 9
  7. Edith G Blinks 8
  8. Ella G Blinks 5
  9. Bertram Blinks 11
1911 Census 29 Trinity Street, Enfield Edmonton Middlesex
  1. Blinko Alfred Son Golf Assistant M 1892 Enfield 19 Blinko Ella Dau F 1896 Enfield 15
  2. Blinko Ernest Son Indoor Servant M 1890 Northaw, Hertfordshire 21
  3. Blinko George Frederick Head Dealer In Wardrobe M 1859 London 52
  4. Blinko Sarah Ann Wife F 1858 Edenbridge,
  5. Blinko Grace Dau Post Office Clerk F 1893 Enfield 18
  6. Blinko Horace Son Groom M 1889 Northaw, Hertfordshire 22

 

Middlesex Princes Wales Own Yorks
Middlesex Regiment The Yorkshire Regiment
WW1

Blinko Horace, Private, 3947, 62673, 13th Bn. Middlesex Regiment, 3rd Bn. (Reserves) 9th Bn. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards).

synopsis

Horace joined up in 1915 and almost immediately was involved in the largest battle of 1915 at Loos, from there his battalion was to see lots of combat and had a staggering 800 men killed in the period between Los in 1915 and the Armistice signing. While we have no records it’s hard to imagine that Horace cam through this period without some wounding or illness. In his battalion for the duration of the war was Company Sergeant Major Alfred Blinco born 1869 and an old campaigner. It is likely that Horace knew this man given his position and one wonders if they ever discussed the surname and wondered if they were related. Horace was in very close in proximity to his brother Alfred Ralph in Spring 1916 and again one wonders if he had a chance to see him there. His other brother frank was wounded and discharged before Horace joined up. Army life obviously suited Horace as he stayed with them after the war until at least 1920. A map of the 13th Battalion Middlesex regiment war-time movements can be seen here.

1915
  • Jun. It’s at this time Horace joined 13th Middlesex Regiment as part of Kitchener’s third drive to build the new Armies (Serial number 3946 enlisted 29th Jun. 1915 Middlesex Regt). The Medal roll informs that Horace was with the 13th Bn. Middlesex Regt. It would also seem that from the Medal Roll number corresponds to the roll for the 9th Bn. Yorkshire Regiment and so this was his last Regiment.
  • 2nd Sept. Landed at Boulogne as part of 73rd Brigade, 24th Division. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4th September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses.
  • 25th Sept. – 18th.Oct. The Battle of Loos. TheBattleOfLoosAutumn1915
    • As the map shows originally on day one the 24th Div. was in reserve, there was great controversy later about the timing of bringing the 24th Div into the battle. It was during the afternoon that the bulk of the two leading divisions of XI Corps (21st and 24th Divisions) arrived on the battlefield; tired and bewildered, they had vague orders and no maps to find their target location.
    • 25th Sept. Beuvry . Disturbed by a heavy firing the next morning from our big guns. The Battalion received orders to march about 10 am and marched E along the Vermelle Rd. meeting strings of wounded (mostly Scotch Regiments) and some German prisoners. On arrival about 12 noon W of Sailly la Bourse the Battalion was diverted to the left and formed up W of a small stream W of Vermelle. About 11.00 pm the Battalion advanced ..over the open and occupied trenches (Old British Support line).Fosse No 8 de Bethune, and the Hohenzollern Redoubt were to the left front and Hulluch Quarries, to their front and Loos to the right front. Shellfire and frequent bursts of rifle fire continued all night. 2 
    • 26th Sept. About 3.0 am  2 Companies A and D proceeded across the open to the left front towards the “Slag Heap” of No 8 Fosse. From this time this party of the Battalion were continuously under heavy shell and rifle fire, repeated attacks being made by the Germans on the trenches that they held, …suffering several casualties from the enemy’s fire, and feeling severely the want of food and water. 2 
    • 27/28th Sept. A heavy attack was made about 5.00 pm by the Germans on the left, but was repulsed by men of various Regts. assisted by Northants and Middlesex who were moved down to meet the attack. Throughout Monday night those attacks were constantly repeated, but in every case were successfully met. 2 
    • The Bn suffered 41 men killed on the 27/28th Sept.
    • 29th Sept. A party numbering about 170 all ranks marched back to Beuvry. 2
  • 23rd Oct-19th Nov. Trenches at St Eloi (right centre sector) rest camp between spells at Reninghelst.
    • 23rd – 28th Oct. During this 6 days tour in the trenches, the casualties were 2 O.R. killed, 10 wounded. 2
      • 26th Oct. A small mine was exploded by the enemy which caused all to stand to arms. 2
      • 28th Oct. The Bn. was relieved after dark by the 7th Northants. 2
    • 3rd -8th Nov. The casualties during the tour was 3 O.R. killed, 7 O.R. wounded, 1 O.R. died of wounds. 2
    • 13th – 19th Nov. Casualties 9 O.R. wounded, 3 O.R. died of wounds 3. During this tour of duty a good many men (about 16) had suffered from trench feet. Communication trenches had been undermined by floods, parapets fell down, and most of the trenches under water, and the condition of the parapets very bad. 2
1916
  • 7th Jan. Poperinghe. Entrained from St Omer, detrained and then marched about 6 ½ miles over very muddy roads through Poperinghe, then along to the Poperinghe-Ypres Road for about 3 miles, then by very muddy by-roads to a camp about 1 ½ mile NE of Reninghelst (G 24 C 6.6 Map 28). Cookers and Transport found great difficulty in marching along the narrow muddy roads, often nearly up to their ankles in mud and did not reach the camp till 2.0 pm.. 2
  • Jan-Mar. Trenches at Sanctuary Wood. Spells of 4 days or so in the trenches of the war its notable that 4 of the 5 men accidentally killed were in the first month of this tour, obviously, the learning curve was steep. 2 Casualties for the period;
    • Killed 1 Officer 24 OR’s
    • Accidentally Killed 2 OR’s
    • Died of Wounds 2 Officers 12 OR’s,
    • Wounded 5 Officer 69 OR’s,
    • Accidentally Wounded 5 OR’s
  • 1st – 5th Apr. Trenches at Messines2
  • 29th/30th Apr. The German gas attack at Wulverghem. On the night of the 29th/30th, the enemy released gas from his trenches at 1.0 am. 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. 2
    • Casualties: Killed: 9 OR Wounded: 1 Officers 26 OR’s
    • Gassed: 2 Officers 40 OR’s
    • Some 30 OR’s slightly gassed “at duty”.
  • Jun. Messines and Spanbroekmole Trenches. This sector is very long being about 1000 yards of the front with a salient known as the Bull Ring at the S. end. Distance from enemy trenches at N end about 300 yds. Opposite Bull Ring about 40 yards. During the tour, there were constant strakes by the enemy ..with considerable effect. Our snipers accounted for 4 Germans. Casualties for the month 3 Officers and 100 OR’s.. 2
  • 6th Jul. Wytschaete trenches (G4-J3 Map 24). 2
  • 24th Jul. Battalion moved from billets entraining at Goderswaersvelde Stn. 25th Detrained at Saleux and marched into crowded billets. On the 31st Marched to Hangest-Sur-Somme entrained there, detraining at Vecquemont and marching with a very hot sun into Corbie2
  • 30th July – 3rd Sept. The Battle of Delville Wood*
    • 17th Aug. Battalion moved up into trenches B.A.I etc. and Arrow Head Copse.. Enemy counter barrage very heavy during night. 2
    • 18th Aug. Arrow Head CopseBattalion 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. CWGC records 130 men killed on the 18th. The battalion moved to Bricquetterie for the night. 2
    • 19th Aug. Battalion moved to Craters at A5.a.8.3. 20th-23rd Aug Battalion lay at Craters, nothing to report. Relieved at Craters By 12th Rifle Brigade. 2
  • 30th Aug. Delville woodMarched via Dernancourt-Meault to Memetz … and eventually completed relief of Tea Trench, Worcester Trench-Pont Street & Orchard Trench – at 7.30 A.M. 2
  • 31st Aug. Trenches knee-deep in mud & blocked by troops. At 8.30 a.m. enemy bombardment commenced on all trenches – increasing up to 2 p.m. when attack was launched – driving ‘B’ Coy out of Tea Trench and ‘A’ Coy back up Worcester Trench to Macdougal C.T. and Pont St. Enemy advanced to Orchard Trench where they were stopped by 2/LT GREEN with about 12 men of ‘D’ Coy and an L.G. This party forced to retire did so in good order, holding up enemy until support could be brought up. Gas shells at night. CWGC records 64 men killed on this day, the monthly summary of casualties during the 26 Officers and 563 O.R.’s. 2
  • 3rd – 6th Sept. The Battle of Guillemont*
    • 1 – 5 Sept. Pommier Redoubt. Battalion provided parties for carrying ammunition, assisting at Dressing Station and detonating bombs for the 17th Brigade and finally the 72nd Brigade 2

The battles marked * are phases of the Battles of the Somme 1916

  • 6th-19th Sept. Dernancourt, Entrained at Edgehill for Longpre and from there marched to Mouflers. entrained at Longpre for Fouquereuil and Bethune sector 2
1917
  • 9th – 12th Apr. The Battle of Vimy Ridge, a phase of the Arras offensive 1917
    • 1st Apr. Advance Party proceeded to Carency Sectors to take over from the 46th & 47th Canadian Bn.s. 2
    • 1st -2nd Apr. The Bn. relieved the Canadians holding the line from Boyau Brisson to Souchez River. Our preliminary bombardment started at 8 a.m., bringing heavy retaliation. The trenches were in very bad condition 2
    • 9th – 16th Apr. The Battle of Vimy Ridge. The Battle of Vimy Ridge.The Bn. attacks on 15-16th toward Lievin. CWGC records 31 battalion men killed in this period.  
      • 14th Apr. Advanced by Arras Rd. Tr, Ration Tr, & over the open in artillery formation under considerable shell fire, to Angres to form Bde Reserve in the advance on Lens. 2
      • 15th Apr. The Battalion advanced in small parties to front line at Eastern Edge of Bois de Riaumont….they at once came under M.G. fire from houses & trenches in Cites Riaumont .. A footing was obtained in the N. end of Cites Riaumont. Our advanced posts held on until dusk when they were ordered to withdraw to the line of the wood …moving up again next day when operations were resumed. 2 11 men killed this day.
      • 16-18th Apr. On the 16th operations resumed, after artillery preparation, progress was again made. But A Coy, on the right found themselves up against a very strong position. On the 18th the Bn. relived and marched to billets at Petit Sains 16 men killed this day.
  • 7th-14th Jun. The Battle of Messines Ridge.
    A map from the war diary for the
    A map from the war diary for the 7th June 1916
    • 7th Jun. The assembly trenches were reached about 2 a.m. At 3.10 a.m. the 41st Div. went over the top & captured the Red Line (1st Objective). At the same time several large mines were exploded. The intense bombardment lasted all the morning & during that time the Blue (Damm Strasse) & Black Lines (2nd & 3rd Objectives) were taken by the 41st Div.
    • At 11.30 am The Bn. moved forward to Ecluse Trench & Old French Trench.
    • 1.30 pm The Bn. moved forward to the Black Line (present front line & jumping off-line for 73rd Bde). Within a few minutes of arrival the Bn. went over the top (3.10 p.m.) under an excellent barrage.
    • The objective was gained without much difficulty, the Coy on the right consolidating well in front of Ravine Wood & Verhaest Fm. 120 POW taken. Little or no casualties.
  • 31st Jul.-3rd Aug. The Battle of Pilckem Ridge.13th Bn mddsx Shrewsbury Forest Larch wood tunnels 31st Jul-3 Aug
    • 31st Jul. The Bn was in support of the 73rd Bde offensive but the first objective wasnt gained and the Battalion moved forward to take part in the attack. Bn. HQ moved from Larch Wood to Canadian Dug outs in the evening. 2
    • 1st-3rd Aug. The Bn. on the front line west of Shrewsbury Forest. 2
    • CWGC records show 20 men killed in this period.
  • 23rd-27th Aug. South of Inverness Copse. Attack by Enemy 34th Infantry-Division.
    • 23rd Aug. Bn takes over left sub section from 1st R.Fusiliers (Sector S of Inverness Copse).Enemy shelling was heavy during this tour. 2
    • 24th Aug.On the morning of the 24th C & D Coys repelled an enemy counterattack. This attack was an effort on the part of the enemy to recapture a dugout which had been taken from him 2 nights previously. 2
    • 27th Aug. Bn relieved by 8th Queens. CWGC records 37 men killed in this period. 2
  • 30th Nov-1st Dec. Cambrai Operations.13th Middlesex Cambrai operationsThe Bn. role was limited in this battle and CWGC records show no fatal casualties for these two days . On the 1st Dec. there was the German counter attack. War diary reflects that considering the amount of shelling the battalion fortunate.
  • Casualties for the month of Nov relatively high at 3 officers and 208 OR’s.
1918
  • Feb. Bn. was in Div. Support at Hervilly. Large number of working parties. 2
  • March. Month began in Bernes and then onto Vermand. On 24th ordered to concentrate at Chaulnes. 2
  • 25-28th Mar.German Spring Offensive.
    • 25th Mar.Order rec’d to move forward to positions for counter-attack on-line Curchu-Dreslincourt, in cooperation with the French. But German advance caused the Bn. to retreat to line Chaulnes to Hallu Rd.
    • 26th Mar.The Bde on the right having been penetrated, orders rec’d to wIthdraw fighting via Chilly & Mehauricourt. Bn later  concentrated at Warvillers. 2
    • 27th Mar. “A” Coy involved in a counter-attack . Withdrew to new position of defence. 2
    • 28th Mar.The Bn was ordered to withdraw via Beaucourt & Mezieres to Villers-Aux-Erables to concentrate for 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 25-28th.
  • Apr. The war diary states no casualties this month although CWGC records 5 deaths for the Bn. Final resting place of Houdain in the Bethune sector took them away from the combat areas. 2
  • May.Lens sector. The Bn relieved the 1st C.M.R. in the Hill 70 Sector on the night of the 1st /2nd May and spent some tours in the line during the month. Casualties; 11 men killed during May. 2
  • Jun. Lens sector. One trench raid on 17th May NE of Loos. Casualties for the month 55 and CWGC records 8 men killed. 2
  • 15th Oct. It seems Horace was home in Oct. 1918 when the Electoral Register was completed in 1918 however he was still in the Army.

This dating and the fact that Horace is recorded as NM (i.e. Naval Military Voter) suggest he possibly wounded or sick and returned home before the end of the war. If Horace was wounded a strong possibility for the action he may have gotten wounded in German Spring Offensive or one of the Lens sector clashes.

1919

It was after the war that Horace decided to stay on in the Army and transferred from the 13th Middlesex Regt. to the Yorkshire Regt. This is indicated by his regimental number to be a 1919 number, these example serial numbers and dates;

  • 62577 enlisted 10 Feb 1919 with 3rd Yorkshire
  • 62640 enlisted 26 Jun 1919 with 3rd Yorkshire

Horace probably was transferred to the 3rd reserve Bn. of the Yorkshire Regt. initially but the medal Roll tells us that he was with the 9th Yorks until at least 1920.

It seems Horace was home in Oct. 1918 when the Electoral Register was completed in 1918 – This dating and the fact that Horace is recorded as NM (i.e. Naval Military Voter) suggest he was still serving possibly wounded or sick and returned home before the end of the war.

Note From 15 October 1918 to 1926 the electoral registers were compiled twice a year. Those absent in the armed forces when the 1918 and subsequent lists were compiled are shown Separately at the end of the polling district in which they normally lived in an Absent Voters’ List.

 

Sources
  1. Loos 1915 by Nick Lloyd.
  2. 13th Battalion Middlesex Regiment – War diary.
Medals

BritishWarMedal-VictoryMedalAwarded the British and Victory Medals

After the War
1918

Horace indicated as a resident of 142 Lancaster Rd. Enfield in the 1918 Electoral Records

1920

In the Army with the 9th Bn. Yorkshire as per Medal roll.

1924 Electoral Roles

Living at 3 River Cottages Enfield with Brother Ernest and wife Ellen.

1928-1930 Electoral roles

Living at 6 Chapel St. Enfield with wife Lottie Ellen.

1939 Census

210 Brimsdown Avenue, Enfield Lock, Enfield U.D., Middlesex

Horace Blinko 17 Apr 1886 Male Carpenter’s Labourer Married
Lottie E Blinko 14 Oct 1897 Female Unpaid Domestic Duties Married
Dorothy E Harris (Blinks) 30 Sep 1922 Female Machinist Single

Two children underage for reporting

Death 1957 age 70 Years

Edmonton, Middlesex, Volume: 5e, Page: 310.

Gallery

 

There are 2 records in the National Archives for this man. For copyright reasons they cannot be re-published.

middlesex collage
Horace possibly was  with the Middlesex Regiment for a short time.
Two unknown soldiers of the Middlesex Regiment and close up of the regiments cap badge.
From Wikipedia
The Middlesex was one of the principal home counties based regiments with a long tradition. They inherited their nickname, the “Die-hards”, from the 57th Regiment of Foot (West Middlesex), which later became the 1st Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment. The 57th gained the name during the Peninsular War when, at the Battle of Albuera on 16 May 1811 their commander Colonel Inglis had his horse shot from under him, severely wounded and outnumbered by the French he called to his men “Die hard, 57th. Die hard!” “Albuhera” was the principal battle honour on the Middlesex Regiment’s colours.
Green Howards collage
The Uniform and Badge of the Yorkshire Regiment (The Green Howards)
Trench map, Fosse 8 Epinoy ; Lens, France. January, 1916 - 1-40,000.
25th Sept. – 18th.Oct. 1915
The Battle of Loos. Horace immediately into heavy combat. The Bn won 2 DCM’s for bravery on 27th near Fosse 8 a trench system east of the Hamlets of Epinoy and Carvin in the Lens sector. map reference 36C SE1 P17
1024px-Ypres_area_south_1914-1915
1916
29th/30th Apr. The German gas attack at Wulverghem.
On the night of the 29th/30th the enemy released gas from his trenches at 1.0 am. 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.
Hooge left sector 13 Middlsx 4-1916
Trench Map from war diary April 1916Trench Map from war diary April 19161 –  6 Apr 191629 – 30 Apr 1916 TRENCHES 136 – 141Trenches 136-140 MESSINES Battalion relieved 9th R. Sussex on night of 30/1st. The disposition of the Battalion was as follows. 2 Companies in firing line. Bombers and Scouts in Well Walk, 2 Platoons in Stinking Farm, 2 Platoons in Rat Alley and Highland Farm, 1 Company in Breastworks and Fletchers Field. Details at La Plus Dona Farm.Battalion HQ at Fisher’s Place. The 2nd Leinsters were on the left and 12th R. Fusiliers on the right. Nothing unusual occurred during this tour. 2nd Lieut. Weldon Williams was wounded.

Dammstrasse

Battle of Messines map
7th Jun. 1917
Battle of Messines; Detonation of 19 mines beneath German positions enabled Allied infantry to capture the salient.
 
7th Jun. The assembly trenches were reached about 2 a.m. At 3.10 a.m. the 41st Div. went over the top & captured the Red Line (1st Objective). At the same time several large mines were exploded. The intense bombardment lasted all the morning &  during that time the Blue (Damm Strasse) & Black Lines (2nd & 3rd Objectives) were taken by the 41st Div.
11.30 am The 13th Middx Regt. moved forward to Ecluse Trench & Old French Trench.
1.30 pm The Bn. moved forward to the Black Line (present front line & jumping off line for 73rd Bde). Within a few minutes of arrival the Bn. went over the top (3.10 p.m.) under an excellent barrage.
The objective was gained without much difficulty, the Coy on the right consolidating well in front of Ravine Wood & Verhaest Fm. 120 POW taken. Little or no casualties.
The map shows lines of progression until 31st July 1917
Mp source WO297/693
1918 Electoral register
It seems Horace was home in Oct 1918 when the Electoral Register was completed
This dating and the fact that Horace is recorded as NM (ie Naval Military Voter) suggest he was still serving . We do know from the Medal roll he was still serving in 1920.
Note From 15 October 1918 to 1926 the electoral registers were compiled twice a year. Those absent in the armed forces when the 1918 and subsequent lists were compiled are shown separately at the end of the polling district in which they normally lived in an Absent Voters’ List.
richmond-war-mem-commem 1921
The Yorkshire Regiment at the opening of the Richmond War Memorial 1919