Blinco Thomas A 1891

Thomas Arthur Blinco [8221]

1891-1963

Father Nm: Frederick Blinco [3307] 24 Jan 1868 Whitehaven died 1949 Whitehaven

Mother Nm: Isabella Ann Casson (Killey) [6118]  1870

Marriage Dt:1911.

K comments: Brother Sydney Joseph served with the Royal Engineers. Uncle Thomas Arthur served with same 1/5^th Border Regiment.

Spouse comments: Mary J Dryden 1893-1970.

Children: Joseph D 1912, Isabella Ann 1913, Margaret C D 1919, Florence 1920, Frederick C 1922.

1901 Census Whitehaven Cumberland

1. Blinco Frederick Head Blacksmith M 1868 Whitehaven 33
2. Blinco Isabella A Wife F 1871 Whitehaven 30
3. Blinco Sydney J Son M 1898 Barrow in Furness 3
4. Blinco Thomas A Son M 1891 Whitehaven 10

1911 Census 14 Carter Lane Whitehaven Cumberland

1. Blinco Frances Casson Sister Housekeeper F 1870 Whitehaven
2. Blinco Frederick Head Blacksmith M 1868 Whitehaven 43
3. Blinco Frederick Charles Son M 1904 Whitehaven 7
4. Blinco Thomas Senior M 1839 72
5. Blinco Sydney Joseph Son Railway Messenger Boy M 1898 Barrow 13
6. Blinco Thomas Arthur Son Fitter -Apprentice M 1891 Whitehaven 20

1/5th Border Regiment

WW1

Blinco Thomas Arthur, 1891, Whitehaven, Private, 2739, 240825, 1/5th Bn. (Cumberland) Border Regiment.

1915

• 5^th Jan. Enlisted
• 5^th May 1915 The Bn. came under orders of 149^th Brigade in 50^th (Northumbrian) Division.
• Thomas probably joined his Uncle Thomas Arthur about Jun/Jul in the trenches of Wulverghem area south of Hooge. As with all trench warfare, casualties occurred. The 1/5^th Bn. now we’re around the Armentieres area, in a quiet part of the line and stayed there until the end of August 1915.²
• Sept-Oct. Used to distract activities elsewhere the 1/5^th used to carry out trench raiding parties, activity continued until 9th October 1915, when the 1/5^th Bn. were relieved back to billets in Armentieres.²
• 20^th Dec. Transferred to 151^st Brigade in same Division.
• The 1/5^th Bn. as part of the 50^th (Northumbrian) Division fought in the following battles in 1917.

1916

• 15^th Sept. Martinpuich vicinity, Attack on Prue Trench. At 6:50 pm the 151^st Brigade received orders to attack Prue Trench the assault to be made from Hook Trench. Confusion in the darkness meant the 1/5^th Bn. did not arrive in line until 30 minutes after the assault had started. It was then their job to push on and find the 6^th and 9^th Durhams, who had gone forward on time. They were unable to reach their objectives and had to dig in with the coming of daylight at Bow Alley. This attack cost the Division further heavy casualties, the Borders alone losing 3 Officers and 100 OR’s killed and wounded.¹²
• 17^th/18^th Sept. Another attack on the Star Fish Line was attempted by the 1/5^th Bn. alongside other brigade units, but the wet ground and heavy fire from the enemy machine guns meant this too failed. Lost on this occasion was 2 Officers along with 60 OR’s as casualties, Before this attack A Company had been withdrawn to Hook Trench, attached to the 8th Durham Light Infantry and remained so for some time to come. The rest of the 1/5th Bn. who took part in the abortive attack, withdrew to Swansea Trench, then the next day to the S.W. corner of Mametz Wood.²
• Wounded 25^th Sept 1916 (source Ancestry contact, not corroborated and its possible Thomas was wounded on the 17^th/18^th or in the next action in Oct.)
• 1^st Oct. The capture of Le Sars.Orders to attack in four waves In the centre where the 1/5^th Border and 8^th DLI formed for the time being a composite battalion the 1/5^th to form the 1^st and 2^nd wave. Ar 3.15 pm the attack began. The artillery fire was good with practically no losses while crossing the open. 30 mins after zero the English patrols were seen entering Le Sars. From 1/5^th Bn. diary “When the bombardment lifted at the time stated the first wave left the assaulting trench and followed close up the barrage line followed by the other three waves at intervals of 50 yds. The two lines were captured before the enemy realised we were in possession.” Bn. relieved on 3^rd Oct. by 6^th Northumberland Fus.
• 7^th Nov. Reported wounded in The Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer.

1917

Thomas may well have not fought in any more battles after Sept/Oct. 1916 but his battalion involved in these actions in 1917 before he is discharged.

• 9^th – 14^th Apr. The First Battle of the Scarpe**8^th Apr. The division moved to Avesnes 10 miles west of Arras, divisional HQ was at Le Cauroy. On the 14^th the 1.5^th did have a role in the attack but details not found.
• 12^th Apr. The Capture of Wancourt Ridge The Bn. no active role in the action
• 23^rd -24^th Apr. The Second Battle of the Scarpe The Bn. was in support of the Brigade action.
• 24^th Aug. Thomas is discharged unfit to serve (wounds)

Medals

British and Victory Medals plus the Silver War Badge award.

Wound Stripe

Thomas entitled to wear at least one wound stripe on the left sleeve of his dress uniform.

After the War

Death

Deaths Sep 1963   (>99%)
BLINCO	THOMAS A	72	WHITEHAVEN	1A	146

Probate

Name Thomas Arthur Blinco, Probate Date: 5 Nov 1963, Death Date: 9 Aug 1963.

Death Place: Cumberland, England, Registry: Carlisle.

Blinco Thomas Arthur of 36 Solway Rd Moresby Parks Whitehaven Cumberland died 9 Aug 1963 leaves to Mary Jane Blinco widow effect 285 pounds 15 shillings.

Gallery

 

 

Honourable discharged being wounded Thomas is awarded the Silver War Badge this facsimile of the certificate that accompanied the badge,