Blencowe Mervyn J 1892 MM

Mervyn John Blencowe MM [7396]

1892-1982

Father Nm: John Blencowe [3710] born 1857 Kings Sutton (Brackley J.Q.)  : Oldest known ancestor – John Blencowe 1807 Kings Sutton.

Mother Nm: Betsey Elliot [10804] 1856.

Marriage: 1923. Solihull, Warwickshire.

K comments:

Spouse Comments:

1. Eleanor J Taylor.1892-1944
2. Ida May Painter (Shore) 1901-Unknown

(Research): GR[D] Bournemouth 23 0356 Sept 1982, Births Sept 1892 Blencowe Mervyn John Brackley 3b 8.

Children: Margaret Eleanor 1925.(later Mason)

Birth 15 August 1892

Source 1939 Census

1901 Census The Square Kings Sutton

1. John Blencowe 44
2. Betsy Blencowe 45
3. Mervyn John Blencowe 8
4. Lilliam M Blencowe 6

1911 Census Brackley Northamptonshire

1. Blencowe John Head General Labourer M 1856 Whitfield,55
2. Blencowe Munvyn (Mervyn John) M 1893 18

Suffolk Regiment	Northumberland Fusiliers

WW1

Blencowe Mervyn John, 1892, Brackley, Private, 202727, 235339, 1/4^th Suffolk Regt., 16^th and 1/5^th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers.

1916

• Jun. Mervyn was a Territorial soldier and may have had another number prior to 1916 he was likely with the 1/4^th Suffolk Regiment until at least January 1917 when the SN 202727 was likely issued. Note Territorials renumbered Jan 1917 to 6 digits numbers.
• Mervyn was transferred to the 16^th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers sometime after January 1917, this Bn. was in operation from 1915 until Feb. 1918 when they were disbanded. The 16^th Bn. were part of 96th Brigade, 32nd Division. So it may also be that Mervyn transferred to the 1/5^th Bn. probably Feb 1918 they were part of the 149^th brigade of the 50^th (Northumbria) Division.

1917

• Jul. Mervyn seems to be in a block of Soldiers transferred from the 1/4^th and 1/5^th Suffolks to the 16^th Northumberland’s. The War diary shows that 240 new men joined the Bn. on the 15^th of July .⁶
• 3^rd Aug. The 16^th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers move from Ribaillet camp to St George’s sector, many casualties are caused by frequent and intense bombardments.⁶
• 6^th Aug. Lt Townsend and sixteen men of the 15^th Battalion, Northumberland Fusilier’s raid Rat Post, killing all Germans found there. The Lt and four men are wounded. That evening B coy relieved C coy and was ordered to repeat the raid.⁶
• 15^th Sep. 16^th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers in the Lombartzyde sector.The Bn. undertook a raid on the enemy lines, and suffered some casualties .⁶
• 18^th Nov. Ypres Sector. 16^th Bn. N. F. march from Turco Farm to Brake Camp, near Poperinghe, where they receive orders for an attack. The battalion is to be attached to 97 Brigade as counter-attack troops. ⁶
• 30^th Nov. 16^th Bn. goes into line, two days before the attack, taking over from the 25^th Inniskilling Fusiliers. ⁶
• 2^nd Dec. 16^th Bn. launch attack⁶
• 3^rd Dec. 16^th Bn. are withdrawn to Irish Farm.⁶
• 13^th Dec. 16^th Bn. return to the line, taking over the front between Paddebeek and Lekker Botterbeek, with battalion HQ at Hubner Farm.⁶
• 17^th Dec. 16^th Bn. are relieved, and move to Siege Camp for six days. Casualties while in the line are recorded as 1 officer 2/Lt Collings missing, 4 officers wounded, 23 ORs killed, 83 ORs wounded and 10 ORs missing. ⁶

1918

• 31^st Jan. Westrozebeke-Polcapelle area. During heavy mist, the enemy raids a post held by elements of ‘D’ Coy, 16^th Bn. and take ten prisoners. Determined attempts are made on each of the two succeeding nights to retaliate but the enemy is very much on the alert.⁶
• 1^st Feb. The war diary states: “Battalion holding the line on the right sector (east of Westrozebeke, Map ref, v 7 b 15 40 across the Staden railway line to u 6 d 90 60). During the night a battle patrol made a determined attack on an enemy post near Turenne Crossing and succeeded in entering the post. But the Germans had withdrawn to two pill-boxes close at hand from which a heavy fire was opened on the patrol. A further attack on the pill-boxes was attempted but the fire was too close and accurate, and the patrol withdrew with the loss of two killed and one wounded. All the casualties were successfully brought back.”⁵
• 2^nd Feb 1918 The war diary states: “At night a battle patrol under Lt Watts attacked an enemy post in front of the left company but were met with heavy machine-gun fire, and forced to withdraw with a loss of one or killed, one missing believed killed, and three wounded. Other patrols under 2/Lt Brown were out on the nights of 1st/2nd of February and 2nd/3rd February, but did not succeed in getting in close touch with the enemy, who was very alert and kept his machine guns active.”⁵
• 7^th Feb. The 16^th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers was disbanded. Mervyn is transferred to the 5^th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers 149^th Bde, 50^th Division.
• 21st-23^rd Mar. The Battle of St Quentin. The 50^th and other Divisions came under a very strong and large attack that drove them from the St Quentin area over the 21st-23^rd April. The 5^th Bn. along with other battalions fought a retreat that included counter-attacks, determined defence and withdrawal as the enemy gained the upper hand. The records, war diary etc for this retreat is understandably weak and confused and it is very likely that Mervyn’s Military medal may have been recommended eventually (Aug 1918)from an action in this retreat. However, as we will see plenty of action came after the German spring offensive.

• • 21^st Mar. The 149^th Bde at Mezieres was ordered at dawn to move to Guillaucourt the Div was to support the XIX Corps. as the enemy assault began the 50^th Div. was not in the front line. they were ordered to march to the Greenline or rear zone of defence which ran from Villevecque to Boully and covering Flechin, Bernes and Noblescourt Farm.
  • 22^nd Mar. The 149^th Bde occupied the Greenline between Villeyeque-Poevilly. The 5^th Northumberland Bn. was in reserve at this time at St Martin. The 5^th Bn. counter attacked from St. Martin and drove the enemy over Caulaincourt-Poeuilly Rd. and retook Caulaincourt for a short time, but the enemy retook followed by a counter-attack by 5^th Bn. that retook Caulaincourt a second time. However, the enemy finally prevailed at 11 pm at night the 50^th Div HQ ordered a withdrawal to crossroads Vragnies-Merancourt roads. On the night of 22^nd at 11 pm Div. HQ orders to retire to a line running from Monchy – Lagache-Vraignes east of Beuametx to Prusle.
  • 23^rd Mar. Div HQ orders further withdrawal to the Somme, at 10:30 am the 5^th Bn. reached the line Athies-Rd junction west of Prusle after fighting the whole way and then the 5^th Bn. covered the withdrawal by holding Ennemain. The 149^th Brigade crossed the Somme Canal at St Christ at 3 pm. The Bde took up a line from Cizancourt to Happlincourt. The bridge at St Christ was blown up.
  • 24^th Mar. The 50th Div saw little fighting on this day. The 149^th Bde falling back to Focaucort at dawn and by 5 pm taking up a line between N and S of Assevillers.
  • 25^th Mar. At 10:30 am the 5^th Bn. ordered forward to South of Barleux and came under command of 66^th Div. At 8 pm 5^th Bn. ordered to withdraw to Assevillers. The 5^th Bn. along with other units to cover the withdrawal of the 149^th Bde, the enemy was now on the west side of the Somme in force.
  • 26^th Mar. At 9:30 am 66^th Div was attacked and retired leaving left flank of 149^th Bde exposed, two Coys of 5^th Bn. counterattacked and restored the left flank but the 66^th Div. continued to retire. At 11 am the 149^th retired to the line Rosieres to Vauvillers leaving a rearguard of one Coy of the 5^th Bn. and one Coy 5^th DLI, the rearguard was heavily engaged.

• 26^th -27^th Mar. The Battle of Rosieres.
  • 27^th Mar. 5^th Bn. was located Northwest of Rosieres at Caix. 50^th Div tired and worn out at Rosieres defended gallantly the enemies objective to gain Amiens was denied. The 5^th Bn. coy continued to hold high ground rearguard until 14:00 hrs. on the 27^th. A counter-attack by all available units drove the enemy back to Harbonniers.

The 149^th Brigade had suffered heavy casualties at Rosieres particularly on 26^th & 27^th March. The History of the 50^th Div. states that the strength of the 149^th Brigade on 1^st April 1918 was 400 all ranks!

• 9^th – 11^th Apr. The Battle of Estaires, (Battle of the Lys)
  • 10^th Apr. At 15:15 hrs. the 5^th & 6^th Northumberland Fusiliers moved into position in support of the 150^th Brigade. The line of the River Lys & River Lawe to be held at all costs. At 21:10 Hrs.the 5^th N.F. were ordered to take up a position in strong points near Trou Bayard where they joined the 4^th N.F.
    Soon after daybreak fighting began again. The 5^th Northumberland Fusiliers who were now holding Pont Levis were heavily attacked under cover of violent artillery fire. In spite of fine resistance put up by the Fusiliers, the enemy forced his way across the bridge.
  • 11^th Apr. At 02:00 hrs. the 5^th N.F. held the right of the line Estaires to Neuf Berquin Rd. to just west of Trou Bayard. Very heavy fighting again. At 07:00 hrs. the enemy was reported to have occupied Trou Bayard. At 09:35 hrs. the 5th N.F. was heavily attacked. The 151^st brigade had been forced back exposing the right of the 149^th brigade and so the 5^th N.F. was withdrawn.
• 12^th Apr. Battle of Hazebrouck
• 26-27^th May 1918. Battle of the Chemin des Dames / Aisne.. Mervyn is CapturedGerman POW record shows the date of capture 27th May 1918 and place Pontavert.

The position and movements of 5^th N.F. Bn. 149^th Bde.

• From 6^th Bn. N.F. War diary: Concevreux (2 miles east of Beauvrieux) with added comments re. 5^th Bn. 
• 26th May 1918. The 5^th Bn. had taken over from the French near Reims, at Fismes. About 19:30 hrs Orders received to ‘Take preliminary defensive measures’.
• At 11:00 hrs Artillery commenced counter preparatory scheme.
• 27^th May. 01:00 hrs. The enemy put down a barrage of extraordinary intensity on the whole area – mixed H. E. & gas. This fire was very accurate and caused heavy casualties to the troops ‘Standing to’. Counter battery work was very effective in putting many of our guns out of action. The 5^th Bn. still in reserve trenches were also hit hard,
• All communications with Brigade H.Q. were out by 03:00 hrs.
• 02:40 hrs The ¹49th Brigade was ordered to move up to position south-east of Beaurepaire Woods. They were once again heavily shelled as they moved northwards and reached their destination at 04:00 hrs. in the open ground adjacent to the village of Pontavert. This proved to be a fatal mistake to have moved forward at this time.
• 03:45 hrs. The enemy attacked all along the line. The first attacks seem to have been in a South Easterly direction parallel with Route 44
• 04:45 hrs. Battle Line came into action. By this time the enemy counter-battery work had been so successful that our artillery was totally ineffective in supporting the infantry.
• 04:45 hrs The battle Line was taken in the rear from the direction of La Ville Au Bois. No one returned from the centre and right Coys of this line. The remainder of Left Coy. under Lt. Col. Gibson, 4^th N. F. withdrew at 05.00 hrs. This party consisted of 40 men.
• 05:15 hrs. The 5^th Bn. C and D Companies were ordered to occupy the intermediate line between Butte de L’Edmond and Bois des Buttes (see map). The message did not arrive until after 18:00 hrs. by which time the Butte d’Edmond had fallen to the enemy. As the two companies moved north they came under an intense barrage and C Company was unable to occupy the Butte d’Edmond-Bois des Buttes line due to heavy machine gunfire. A stand was made by remnants of both companies in trenches to the south of the Butte d’Edmond: Here followed a stiff fight in which the advantage was with the 5th N.F. for they were able to shoot from the trench, and had accounted for most of the Bosche before they had time to take cover. It was not long before the flank was turned and enemy troops advancing from the Bois des Buttes were soon behind trenches occupied by the 5th Northumberland Fusiliers. Many were taken prisoner, but a few managed to fight their way back to join the troops holding the Aisne. This is probably the time and place of Mervyn’s wounding and capture.

Note a report of Mervyn’s wounding published Tuesday 24 December 1918
in the Weekly Casualty List (War Office & Air Ministry )

• Mervyn was wounded and likely treated in German Casualty station, meanwhile.
• 09:00 hrs. The enemy crossed Pontavert Bridges and advanced down both banks of the Canal.
• 10:00 hrs. Party in Chaudardes withdrew across Aisne owing to enemy advance on to the high ground to N. W. and advance downriver from Pontavert. Details and remainder of brigade organised on-line Concevreux bridge – Canal Bank – to bridge at 47.47 (Berry Au Bac 1/20,000) thence to West end of the wood.

Note: 27^th May. The remainder of the 5^th Bn. is based at Concevreux. 28^th, 29^th, 30^th & 31^st. May. The survivors of the battle were driven from this line about 16:00 Hrs. The remnants of the Battalion, now incorporated in Composite Coys and submerged in other Divisions, including 6th, 21st & 25^th.

• June-Nov. It would seem from Red Cross records that Mervyn has first incarcerated at Cassel a camp on a hill overlooking the Fulda Valley, one mile from Niederzwehen, a suburb of Cassel. Barracks of wood accommodating some 20,000. Prisoners employed in factories and workshops. American prisoners here. The records then show he was sent to the POW Camp Limburg an der Lahn. In Hesse province of Germany.
• 9^th Nov. Red Cross records show Mervyn was repatriated back to England on this date.

Note: While absent in POW Camp Mervyn was recognised in August 1918 for an act of bravery.

1919

No date for discharge but very likely in 1919.

Medals

Awarded the Military medal in 1918 as London Gazette entry indicates, also awarded the British and Victory medals.

Sources

1. The Fiftieth Division by Everard Wyrall.
2. The War Diaries of the 149^th Brigade 50^th Div.
3. 6^th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers – War Diary – May 1918
4. David Blanchard at Twitter The Aisne 1918 @foxton44
5. War Diary of the 16^th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers
6. Wartime memories project 16^th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers
7. Historical Records of the 16th (Service) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

After the War

1921 Census

Whittall Street, Kings Sutton, Northamptonshire

Unemployed as were many.

John Blencowe Head Male 1857 64 Kings Sutton, Northamptonshire, England Labourer (Roadman) Brackley Council
Betsy Blencowe Wife Female 1855 66 Middlesex, England Household Duties –
Mervyn John Blencowe Son Male 1892 28 Kings Sutton, Northamptonshire, England Jelleryee Laterney Honstow labourer Honstow labourer Sir Alfred Hickman, Out Of Work

1923

Married 1923 to Eleanor Taylor in Solihull.

1928 residence

Mervyn John and Eleanor Ingley, Red Lion St., Brackley

1939 Census 45 Highfield Road, Bournemouth C.B., Hampshire, England

Mervyn J Blencoe 15 Aug 1892 Male Builders Labourer Married
Eleanor I Blencoe 24 Oct 1892 Female Unpaid Domestic Duties Married
Margaret E Mason (Blencoe) 10 Oct 1925 Female At School Single
Eleanor Hlingley 16 Mar 1866 Female Old Age Pensioner Single

Death 1982 Bournemouth age 90 years

Bournemouth, Dorset, Volume: 23 Page: 0356.

 

GALLERY

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