Blencowe Charles B 1880

Charles Bernard Blencowe  [4074]

1880 -1964

Father’s Name: Rev. Alfred James Blencowe 1848 Oldest Known Ancestor – Rev Samuel Jackson Blencowe 1709 Marston St Lawrence.

Mother’s Name: Sophia Louisa Sarah Walcot 1851.

Marriage Dt:1918 to Florence Mildred Martin, Brackley, Volume Number: 3b Page Number: 21.

Kin Comments:

WW1: Brothers Edward Prowett was a Colonel with the RASC and  (Rev)  John Walcot. was Chaplain Captain with 1/1 Suffolk Yeomanry.

WW2: Daughter Judy served as a Nurse (ref FANYS)

Spouse Comments: Florence Mildred Martin was born in 1890 in Grimstead, Colchester, Essex died 1963.

Children: Evelyn [Judy] 1919, Betty 1922, Mollie 1924.

(Research): GR[B] Northwich March 1880 JD PB.

Lloyd’s Captain’s Register [Guildhall Ref 18.567].

1881 Census At the Vicarage, Witton cum Twambrooks

Cheshire, name spelt Bleusowe. Rossall School, Fleetwood, Lancs

Rossall School Register:- Blencowe, Charles Bernard (14th Feb. 1880) [Wor.]

West Kirby Rectory, near Birkenhead.

Rossal School

Attended this boarding school founded in 1844 for the sons of clergymen in Fleetwood Lancashire.

About 1895-1906

• Attended the Naval School Ship HMS Conway based in Liverpool.
• 1902 Second Mates Certificate
• 1904 First Mates Certificate
• 1906 Masters Certificate
• 28^th Jan 1905 Second Lieutenant Royal Navy

Note: See the log of the ship that Charles was in service on the H.M.S. “Sutlej”, Pacific and China stations, 1904-1906.²

1906

• Arrived in East Africa to take up a job and on 1st March 1907 was appointed Chief Officer of the Lake Steamers.ItwasreportedtahtCharleshad Mr Blencowe had four years’ sailing and two years’ naval training.beforetakingupthisrole.

  

1909

• 18^th Oct 1909 Lieutenant Royal Navy promoted on this date

1914

• 23 September. Gazette – Appt. – To be Lieutenant, Indian Railway Volunteers, C.B. Blencoe, RNR. The Indian Railway Volunteers it seems were not only active in India but in East Africa as well. The Royal Navy were in complete control of  Lake Victoria prior to the war.

Royal Navy

WW1

Blencowe Charles Bernard, 1880, Northwich, Commander Royal Navy.

Served throughout World War 1.

1915

• 28^th Feb. Blockade of German East Africa. The British Navy established a blockade of the ports of Lake Victoria (Victoria Nyanza) and the coast of East Africa.
• 6^th Mar. Lake Victoria. The destruction of the Gun Boat Muanza by the SS Winifred captained by Charles Blencowe covered extensively by the British East Africa Newspaper on 20^th March 1915 best describes the action
  Bravo Winifred
  “The news of the destruction of the German Lake Steamer the Muanza by our own little steamer the Winifred captained by Captain Blencowe, in Speke Gulf, is an event of greater significance, interest and importance than the man-in-the-street in Nairobi possibly realises. In the first place, though the matter has been kept from prominence, the existence of the Muanza, armed with a fairly heavy gun, roaming the Lake in search of prey, has been exercising the minds of the authorities for some months. It was decided to arm one or more of our own ships, and the Winifred commanded by Captain Blencowe was selected to hoist the naval pennant and act as Britain’s war dog on the Great Lake of Central Africa.   Around Kisumu and the Uganda ports, the quest of the Winifred chasing the Muanza has been the talk for a long while.   With our mail boats, such as the Clement Hill later commanded by Captain Blencowe crossing the lake, the Muanza presented a distinct menace. Since the SS. Sybil was driven ashore, the Muanza, we are told, has actually been visiting the sunken vessel, (the ‘Sybil’ having her funnel showing above the surface) and attempting to remove some of the war plates.
  The news was conveyed recently to the Winifred from shore that the Muanza was hovering around Speke Gulf. The little Winifred, of about 600 tons, promptly went to look for the enemy and after a smart chase got within, we are told about 400 yards. Then the 4-inch gun spoke and the Muanza, game to fight, replied with her artillery and rifles. We learn unofficially that the Muanza was properly peppered and had to make for the shore, where she was abandoned.  Then the Winifred let her have it properly until she was pounded out of all shape.   We learn, (also unofficially) that the Winifred suffered no casualties; all the shots from the Muanza going over her, or short.   In fact, except for a bullet hole through her funnel (an honourable mark of distinction), she escaped scatheless, due to the bad gunnery of the foe.   
        Those who know their Lake residents will realise that this victory, so long desired, of the British converted gunboat over that of the German variety, has been hailed with jubilation and that Captain Blencowe will have received many congratulations, which in fact are fully deserved.”.¹
• Supplement to the London Gazette, 20 December 1915. 12669. Granted a Rank of temporary Captain while on duty in East Africa. Charles Bernard Blencowe. Dated 17^th August 1914.

1916

• 30^th Jun. Mentioned in despatches by General Smuts London Gazette pg 6853.
• 1^st Jul. Newspaper article Birmingham Daily Post 01 July 1916 honoured by General Smuts for service in East Africa.³

1917

• Appointed Lieutenant Commander Royal Navy Reserve.

1918

• 22 August. Marriage announced Banbury Advertiser

Medals

Charles awarded the Victory with Oak Leaf (mentioned in despatches), the 1914-15 Star and the British medal, reference Royal Naval Reserve roll and London Gazette 30^th June 1916.

After the War

It seems after a period in England Charles returned and by 1919 was back in charge of shipping on Lake Victoria

1919

1921 Census

Wife Mildred and baby Evelyn age 1 are recorded visiting her parents at the Vicarage Moreton Pinkney, Northamptonshire. Charles is likely also in Britain see next entry.

1922 

1935

1935 Incoming Passengers UK, A Farmer travelling to the UK.

Port of Departure: Cape Town, South Africa, Arrival Date: 14 Feb 1935, Port of Arrival: London, England.

WW2

London Gazette 8 FEBRUARY, 1946, A.C.F. Section. ‘, Charles Bernard BLENCOWE (318642) to be 2nd Lt., 12th Jan. 1942. (Substituted for the notification.in Gazette (Supplement) dated 13th June 1944 under” General List ” -(A.C.F. Section).) POW Camp Administration role.

Granddaughter Jane Clark recalls Charles received another medal for his service in WW2 in a POW camp.

This medal is most likely the 1939 War medal shown below.

1947

• 14 June. It seems that during or just after the war Charles spent some time in England. We do know what the purpose was or if he served some time in the UK during the war, in any event, he gives his brother’s address Backford Vicarage Cheshire as the place he stayed prior to returning to Kenya Charles is on a ship departing London bound for Mombasa Kenya.

29 April 1964 Death

Buried at Kabete, Kenya

Last Name: BLENCOWE, Given Name: Charles Bernard, Birth: 1880, Death: 1964, AGED: YR: 84,

Inscriptions: Charles Bernard Blencowe  1880 -1964 and Florence Mildred Blencowe  1890-1963

United in Christ, Cemetery: St Mary’s Church, Kabete.

Sources

1. A short bio of Charles Bernard was written by Peter Blencowe (a nephew) in 2012 BFA newsletter article 2012.
2. The log of H.M.S. “Sutlej”, Pacific and China stations, 1904-1906.
3. A newspaper extract from the leader of “British East Africa Newspaper” dated 20 March 1915.
4. Europeans in East Africa.

Gallery

Note: there are 2 service records for this man that exist that are not shown in this gallery for copyright reasons.