Durrant William Blencowe Wells 1894

William Blencowe Wells Durrant

1894-1915

Father Nm: Frederick Chester Wells Durrant MA KC Attorney General Bahamas born 1886 died 8 MAR 1934  Half Way Tree, Saint Andrew, Jamaica

Mother Nm: Gertrude Blencowe [1694] b 5.6.1861 Brackley died JAN 1923   Greenwich, London.

Marriage Dt:

K comments:
Spouse comments:

Children.

Born 1894

8 May 1894  Bath, Somerset

Before 1908

Attended Beach Lawn school Leamington Spa

1911 CENSUS

3 Little Deans Yard, Westminster S W,  Westminster College 1908-1913 Kings Scholar

This is how William is remembered by the Westminster school..

“He was less gifted on the football pitch – indeed his first appearance in the annual football match between the scholars and the Town Boys was rather disastrous. Playing in goal, he managed to allow the opposition to score five times! One of the goals was particularly unfortunate, initially hitting the post but then rebounding off Durrant (who had fallen down trying to save it) and landing straight into the net.

Perhaps unsurprisingly given his father’s occupation, Durrant particularly excelled in public speaking. He was a stalwart of the school debating society and spoke in a style described as ‘fluent but rambling’. He also appeared in the Latin Play two years running, playing female parts both times. A reviewer commented that ‘his movements were far too masculineand strenuous, and he wielded his fan with morevigour than grace.”

1913

• Attended Magdalene College Cambridge.

  

1914

• 1914 August. Joined the Cambridge University Officer Training Cadets.

  

WW1

William Blencowe Wells Durrant 2nd Lieut. Rifle Brigade, 6th Bn. attd. ‘C’ Coy. 4th Bn, 80th Bde, 27th Division.

1914

• 1 November. William is appointed from Cadet to 2nd Lieutenant. Gazetted on 31 Oct.
• When William was posted to the 6th Battalion Rifle Brigade we dont know but it was a Reserve Battalion that was based on the Isle of Sheppey throughout the war. So it seems strange that the records state he was attached to the 4th Bn rather than a full transfer.

1915

• We assume that sometime in March, William embarks for France and is then attached to the 4th Bn R. B.
• 28 March. William joins the 4th Battalion just SE of Poperinghe. Note the 4th Bn lost 61 men in the month most in the attack it made on the 15th.
• 15-20 April. 4th Bn moved to trenches in Polygon Wood and suffered heavy bombardment 4 men were killed. Relieved by Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.
• 1 May. The 4th Bn R.B. in the 2nd Line at Sanctuary Wood.

  

• 3 May. Moved to the east of Bellewaerde Wood and Hooge Chateau
• 4-5 May. Heavily bombarded in this position 13 killed and 88 wounded. Relieved by 60th.
• 6 May. Bivouacing at General Headquarters line
• 7 May. Took up positions east of Bellewarde  Lake.
• 8 May. Battle of Aubers Ridge. Killed in Action. William and Company C  in support of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry moved to the NE corner of Bellewaerde Wood.   William reported in the diary that killed this day.

Medals

Sources

1. 1. Ancestry  and BFA database
   2. 4th Battalion Rifle Brigade War Diary

 

Death 1915

The body of William was not recovered and so instead of a Headstone he as a panel at the PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL, Panel 10. Belgium.

 

Remembered Elswhere

 

Gallery

There are service records in the National archives for this person they can be viewed and download from their website https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/

Ed

Gertrude Blencowe [1694] b 5.6.1861 Brackley c 22.8.1861 Methodidt circuit Gertrude Blencow Sep 1861 Brackley mother Lea 71c 9 with parents 81 19 unm born Brackley with parents 91 mar but at home in Market Sq Brackley with parents. m Frederick Charles Wells Durrant 1887 Kensington London On the death of her father, William in 1896, Gertrude received a fifth share of “All those my debentures preference shares and ordinary shares in William Blencowe and Company Limited ………….for her own absolute use and benefit.” Gertrude also received an added £100 from her father’s will.