Blencowe Henry A 1884

Henry Alexander Blencowe [3545]

1884-1966

Father Nm: Henry Blincowe [1264]^ Born Jun q 1853 Bicester mother Horwood: Oldest known ancestor – Thomas Blencowe, C1475, Marston St Lawrence.

Mother Nm: Hannah Maria Constant 1857 died Nov 1923 Shoeburyness.

Marriage Dt:1910, Surname First name(s) District Vol Page, Marriages Mar 1910, Blencowe Henry Alexander, Malmesbury Wiltshire 5a 89.

K comments: Father Henry Blencowe 1853 served with the Royal Artillery for 21 years from 1871 to 1892 (he spent some time in Bermuda). Brother Ernest Archibald served with the Royal Garrison Artillery, and Daughter Emily’s husband Sgt Robert Lee, 61 Anti Tank Bde was KIA at Normandy in 1944. Nephew Archibald Alexander 1924 served in WW2 as a CSM with the Royal Engineers. Daughter Emily a wireless operator in 1939 may have served with RAF in 1949.

 

Spouse comments: Annie Louisa Wilcox 1883.Chippenham died 1966 Rochford .

Children: Emily Lilian 1912-1995

(Research): [8077] GR[B] Rochford Dec 1884 GR[M] Malmesbury, March 1910 GR[D] Rochford vol 4A p 1039, March 1966.

Note: Of a military father, the birth was also recorded as a Royal Artillery, baptism at Southend vol 1462 p 229

Birth

12 Nov 1884

1899

Enlisted in the Cameron Highlanders as a boy drummer age 14 years old. Served on 21 days and left under a regulation that allowed boy entrants to do so. NOK Mother Hannah Blencowe 9 Gothic Row Shoeburyness.

1901 Census South Shoeburyness, father Henry boarder in Lambeth.

1. Blencowe Alexander Son Blacksmith 16
2. Blencowe Archibald Son 9 Shoeburyness Essex
3. Blencowe Hannah Head 1858

1911 Census 19 Hingnar Street South, Shoebury, Romford Essex.

1. Blencowe Annie Louisa Wife F 1883 28 19
2. Blencowe Henry Alexander Head Engine Driver -Stationary Engine Royal Engineer Works M 1885 26

	Royal Engineers

WW1

Blencowe Henry Alexander, 1884, Rochford, Sapper, 323008, WR/277954, Royal Engineers.

Synopsis

From before 1911 until March 1917 it seems that Henry worked as a Stationary Engine driver at the Royal Engineers Works in South Shoebury. The Stationary engine most likely Petrol or oil powered was likely used to drive machinery in RE maintenance or construction/fabrication efforts.

Our sources two Census 1911 and 1921 plus a National Union Railwaymen membership record in February of 1915 cements that most of this ten-year period he was employed at South Shoebury in the position of the civilian driver. So for most of that time, he was employed as a civilian by the Government. However, for an unknown reason probably family influence (father ex-RA and brother overseas with RA) in March 1917 he volunteered to join the RE and to go overseas. I am assuming he was to be a RE Sapper Stationary Engine driver in this period. After the war, he continued to be (1939 census) an Electrical Attendant this taken to mean the running and maintenance of electrical generation stationary engines

He served overseas after March 1917 and seems to have returned home unscathed. He was still with the RE’s in 1921.

Henry’s first number was issued around March 1917, and his WR number after March 1918 when transportation troops were renumbered.

It’s the designation on his second serial number WR – Royal Engineers. that infers Waterways & Railways Corps. Probably not involved with Quarries as Terry Reeves GWF notes “Roads and Quarrying companies had five-figure WR numbers”.

We have no records of Henry’s war experience except the medal index card and list which given he was awarded the Victory Medal means he was overseas for a period in a combat zone.

Where that was and when is unknown. We can safely speculate though that the REs would have used his stationary engine experience and skills. The stationary engines themselves would have been located in several places such as RE workshops overseas,  hoists etc on the waterways or rail lines that the allies used for movement of troops and supplies. The engines also used to power Electrical lighting and radio systems . This latter use may be the one Henry was associated with as I note in 1921 he was an Electrical attendant as an an occupation.

Medals

Henry was awarded British and Victory medals.

After the War

1921 Census

19 Hinguar Street, Shoeburyness .Henry still with the Royal Engineers.

First name(s)	Last name	Relationship to head	Sex	Birth year	Age in years	Birth place	Occupation	Employer
Henry	Blencowe	Head	Male	1884	36	Southend, Essex, England	Engine Driver Royal Engineer	C R E Royal Engineers
Annie	Blencowe	Wife	Female	1882	38	Wiltshire, England	Home Duties	–
Lilian	Blencowe	Daughter	Female	1912	9	Shoeburyness, Essex, England

After 1921

• Discharge from Royal Engineers at some point before 1939

1939 Census

Henry A Blencowe 12 Nov 1884 Male Electrical Att Married
Annie L Blencowe 16 Nov 1882 Female Unpaid Married
Emily L Lee (Blencowe) 04 May 1912 Female Wireless Operator Single

A Chelsea Pensioner

Henry Alexander Blencowe, United Kingdom, Chelsea Pensioners’ Service Records, 1760-1913, birthplace: Essex, estimated birth year: 1885.

GALLERY

Note: there are 6 records that exist for this man that is not shown in the Gallery for copyright reasons.