Blencowe James A 1887

James Aubrey Blencowe  [4241]

1887-1943

Father Nm: James [3751] c 2.9.1860 Bicester died 1949 prob Bodicote

Mother Nm: Amelia Warwick Mayo b. 1866

Marriage Dt:1916, Date of Registration: Apr-May-Jun 1916, Banbury, Oxfordshire, Volume Number: 3a, Page Number: 2356

K comments: Brother Harry also served with RASC and Royal Ordnance Corps. Sister Rebecca’s husband Christopher Malings served with the RAF. Son–in -law Richard Lancaster was KIA in 1944 at Anzio.

Spouse comments: Ethel Mary Curtis [8066] was born 28 Jan 1890 and died 4 Jul 1967
Bloxham, Oxfordshire.

Children: Ronald Aubrey 1918-1933, Evelyn Mary 1923, Ethel May 1925, Pamela J 1929

(Research): GR[B] Banbury Dec 1887

1901 CENSUS 42 MARKET PLACE BANBURY

1. James Blencowe 38 Baker and Confectioner
2. Amelia Blencowe 35
3. May Blencowe 15
4. Aubrey Blencowe 13
5. Harry Blencowe 8
6. Annie Warrick 15

1911 CENSUS FARMHOUSE TAMWORTH, KINGSBURY BANBURY

1. Blencowe Aubrey Son Motor Car Engineer M 1888 Banbury 23
2. Blencowe Harry Son Engineer M 1893 Banbury 18
3. Blencowe May Dau Baker F 1887 Banbury 24
4. Blencowe William Son M 1902 Banbury 9
5. Blencowe James Father Baker M 1862 Bicester 49
6. Blencowe Amelia W Wife F 1866 45

 

WW1

Blencowe James Aubrey, 1887, Banbury, Mech  Staff Sergeant,  M2/046055, 66^th East Lancs Division Motor Coy. RASC.

Evidence for James Regiment primarily comes his mention in despatches by General Haig. The July 1919 London Gazette supplement (dedicated to the long list of mentions) published states, James, at the end of the war attached to the 66^th Division and was a Staff Sergeant in the Mechanical Motor Transport company.

This information suggests that James likely join ASC in 1915 as speculated and was posted to another Divisional unit first as the 66^th Division did not go to France until April 1917. James movements could then correspond to those of the 66^th East Lancs Division from April 1917 onwards, it should be stressed that he could have joined the 66th at any time between April 1917 and November 1918. However, he did earn a mention in despatches and the 66^th had a particularly torrid time in the spring of 1918 losing so many men that it was for the time taken out of the action to rebuild.

1915

• 23^rd Jul. 1915. Posted to France and joined presumably a Motor Transport divisional train responsible for the mechanical repair and maintenance of the division’s vehicles.

  

1917

The Division received orders on 11^th February 1917 for embarkation for France. Entrainment began on 25^th February and by 16^th March all units had arrived and the Division concentrated under XI Corps. The Division then remained in France and Flanders and took part in the following engagements:

• 26^th – 25^th Sept. The Operations on the Flanders Coast
• 6^th-10^th Oct. The Battle of Poelcapelle A phase of the Third Battles of the Ypres

1918

• 21^st – 23^rd Mar. The Battle of St Quentin~
• 26^th – 25^th Mar.The Actions at the Somme Crossings~
• 26^th – 25^th Mar.The Battle of Rosieres~

The battles marked ~ are phases of the First Battles of the Somme 1918. The Divisional Artillery and 541 Company ASC of the Divisional Train remained in action when the rest of the Division was withdrawn from the action and did not rejoin until 8^th November.

As a result of the losses it had suffered in this fighting, the Division was reduced to a training cadre and reformed and reconstituted. 197^th Brigade left the Division and was retained in training drafts and reinforcements. It place was taken by the South African Brigade. Many cadre units were attached to the Division for short periods between June and September 1918.

Note: Irrespective of the state of the Divison,  James and his Motor Transport unit would have still be required for the repair and maintenance of the vehicles for battle use. It can be assumed that James earned a mention in despatches for some brave actions in the face of the enemy this may not have been combat-related of course.

• 8^th – 9^th Oct. The Battle of Cambrai^
• 8^th – 9^th Oct. The Pursuit to the Selle^
  ^ the battles marked ^ are phases of the Battles of the Hindenburg Line. The Battle of the Selle, a phase of the Final Advance in Picardy (17-20 October)

On 20^th-21^st October the Division was withdrawn and rested in the Serain area until 1 November. It advanced through Le Cateau from 2^nd November and had some sharp engagements over the next few days. On 9^th November a number of units of the Division were placed under command of Bethell’s Force (see below). At the Armistice, the advanced units of this Force were on the line Pont de Republique – Grandrieu – east of Sivry – Montbliart.

The Division was selected to march through Belgium as part of the British force for occupying the Rhine bridgeheads. The move began on 18 November and took the Division through Philippeville, Dinant and Ciney. The units billeted in the area Dinant – Huy – Marche – Rochefort and there halted. Demobilisation began here and at midnight 24^th/25^th March 1919 the 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division, the “Clickety Clicks”, ceased to exist.

1919

• 18^th Jul. Discharged to Z reserves. This ties in with the disbandment of the 66^th Division.

Medal Card

Awarded the British and Victory medal with Oak Leaf  for mentioned in despatches

Notes on card refer to mention in despatches. This was gazetted on 8th July 1919 and was under a general announcement so we do not know for what action or when this award was deemed earned. The award would have resulted in an Oak Leaf worn on the ribbon of Victory medal. Even if the soldier is mentioned in dispatches more than once, only a single such decoration is worn. Coincidentally in the Gazetted entry listed right below James is 2^nd Cousin Randal John Blencowe their Common ancestors being James Blinker 1789-1875 and Judith Mortimore.

After the War

1921 Census

With Mother-in-law Mary Ann Green at East St. Bodicote, Banbury. Clearly Blencowe in Census, the image is mistranscribed as Jane Green.?

Note. James Partner with brother George in the Motor Garage business Banbury General Motor Co.

First name(s)	Last name	Relationship to head	Sex	Birth year	Age in years	Birth place	Occupation	Employer
Mary Ann	Green	Mother-in-law	Female	1851	69	Oxfordshire, England	Home Duties	–
Ethel Mary	Blencowe	Wife	Female	1890	31	Banbury, Oxfordshire, England	Home Duties	–
James Audrey	Blencowe	Head	Male	1887	33	Banbury, Oxfordshire, England	Motor Engineer	Partner Employer Banbury General Motor Co
Ronald Audrey	Blencowe	Son	Male	1918	3	Oxfordshire, England

Banbury General Motor Company

1930

• 28^th January 1930. London Gazette publishes that  James had become the sole owner of the Banbury General Motor Company.
• Note: There is a letter held I believe by Carole Buswell that refers to Aubrey owning a Cinema in Banbury.

1933

• 19 October. Runs for local council.

  

• 9 November. Son Ronald dies and this is posted in the local Newspaper.

• 9 November. In the Banbury Advetiser this date Ja

1939 Census

Name: James A Blencowe
Gender: Male
Marital status: Married
Birth Date: 11 Oct 1887
Residence Year: 1939
Address: 58 Park Road
Residence Place: Banbury, Oxfordshire, England
Occupation: Motor Engineer (master)
Schedule Number: 202
Sub Schedule Number: 1
Enumeration District: DYAL
Registration district: 158-1
Inferred Spouse: Ethel M Blencowe
Inferred Children: Evelyn M Blencowe
Household Members:
Name
James A Blencowe
Ethel M Blencowe
Evelyn M Blencowe

1942

• 7 September. Daughter Evelyn Mary marries Sergeant Richard Lancaster of the Liverpool Scottish Regiment. Sadly Richard was to be killed at Anzio in 1944.

 

DEATH 1943 age 56

England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), Probate Date: 12 Aug 1943, Death Date: 23 May 1943, Death Place: Oxfordshire, England, Registry: Oxfordshire, England.

GALLERY

Note: there are 3 records that exist for this man that is not shown in the Gallery for copyright reasons.