Gates William Blencowe 1890

William Blencowe Gates

 

1890-1974

Father Nm: Edward George Gates born 1 Aug 1862 • Lymington, Hampshire died Jan 1954 Poole, Dorset

Mother Nm: Mary Ann Blencowe  [275] born1860 Mixbury, died 1890 Christchurch

Marriage Dt: 10 May 1914 • Parkstone, Dorset

K comments: Brother Henry James served with the Australian 19th and 20th Battalions in WW1 and was wounded in 1918 and invalided home to Australia.

Spouse comments: Ethel Hames born 1887 Poole Dorset died 1956 Dorset

Children. William Henry Gates b. 20 Sep 1914

 

Born 1890 pokesdown hampshire

Born 23.12.1890. Mother died Dec Quarter 1890 so probably William born at that time and his mother died in childbirth

1891 Census

With Grandparents in Mixbury

Name Age
Henry Blencowe 62
Ann Blencowe 60
Rhoda Blencowe 21
Frank W Blencowe 20
James E Blencowe 14
Willie B Gates 3/12

1901 Census

1911 CENSUS

Living in Parkstone with Father and stepmother Rhoda Rickman and step-siblings

Name Age
Edward Gates 48
Rhoda Gates 41
Rhoda Gates 25
Willie Gates 20 Labourer
Dorothy Gates 11
Gilbert Gates 5

WW1

William B Gates, Private, 17344, 1st Bn. Dorsetshire Regiment

Synopsis

William was to be conscripted in 1916 and served until June 1919 in France and Belgium. William was to be sent straight into one of the biggest battles of the war on arrival in the Somme and would have immediately felt the fear and danger of combat in the trenches. He was wounded in the war but so far, we don’t know when, however he was honourably discharged in 1919 because of wounds sustained and was awarded the Silver War Badge as an indication of his honourable discharge.

1916

• 7 April. Enlisted in 1st Bn of the Dorset Regiment. We know Alexander Stevens the next number in sequence 17345 was killed in action 14 Apr 1917 while with the 1st Dorsets. The 1st Dorsets were in the 14th Brigade of the 32nd Division.  The 1st Battalion Dorsets were at the time near Bouzincourt in the Somme region preparing for the Somme offensive
• 1 July. The Battle of the Somme. It’s highly likely William was in the Somme for the major battle of the 1st of July. This extract from the Dorset history blog describes their part in the battle.  By the morning of the 29 June, the British were prepared to attack with their infantry forces. However, the weather had a different idea. Thick mist and heavy rain meant that the effects of artillery were impossible to observe, and the attack was postponed for 48 hours. In the line, west of Ovillers were the 1st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment, and west of Fricourt were the 6th Dorsets. Both saw significant action on 1 July. The 1st Dorsets were tasked with attacking the Leipzig Salient, between Theipval and Authuille woods. This was a well-fortified salient and the Germans had the significant advantage of height, looking over the battlefield. On 1 July the 1st Dorsets attacked through Authuille Wood. Initial progress was soon halted by both the German response and the geography of the wood itself. Almost two hours after entering the wood, the Dorsets were able to leave, only to find open field and machine-gun fire. The Regimental History records that this was where ‘half of the total casualties of the day occurred’, and Tim Saunders states that “only one officer and about twenty-five men reached the German trenches” [West Country Regiments on the Somme, p97].

  

  

   

• July. Casualties heavy from attack over 1-3 July and again later in the month.
• 5th August moved to Le Quesnoy and billeted in Cambrin. They then went into the trenches at Cuinchy. Casualties 4 men killed between 19-22 August..
• October. After spending most of August and September at Cambrin the 1st was ordered north-east to Albert in the Somme. It then moved on the Mailly Maillet for an upcoming attack on Beaumont Hamel
• 15-17 November. The Battle of the Ancre. Thiepval, Somme. “The 32nd Division, from II Corps reserve, took over from the 2nd Division on the northern defensive flank, where there was considerable confusion over the location of the front line. During the night the right linked up with the 51st Division at New Munich Trench and Leave Avenue. During 17 November, the 32nd Division extended to the right to relieve the 51st Division.” Wikipedia

1917

• 14 March–14 April As the German army retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the 1st battalion marched over the next days from Rouvroy, via Llancourt , Rouy-le-Petit, Voyennes , Matigny, Ugny-le-Gay and Lanchchy by 1 April.

• 1 April. Capture of Holnon Wood, The Battalion attacked overnight and captured the Village of Holnon.
• 13-14 April. The capture of Fayet (14th and 97th Bde’s.), In conjunction with French forces attacking St Quentin.
• May. The 1st Bn moved back from front line over days to billet at Ignaucourt by end of May. 
• 1 June- 20 October. Operations on the Flanders Coast, On 1 June the Bn marched to Marcelcave and entrained for Steenwerk 110km north on the Belgian border from there they moved in stages to Nieuport on the Belgian Coast.10-11 July. Defence of Nieuport, Nieuport was attacked by Gas Shells on the 10 July and the Bn was involved in the defence of the port.

  

1918

• March. The 1st Battalion return to the Arras Sector and into billets at Harbarq.
• 31 March. The 1st Battalion move to Monchy-au-Bois and move to the Purple line .
• 3 April. Capture of Ayette (14th and 96th Bdes),
• Battle of the Ancre, 5 April
• Hundred Days Offensive Battle of Amiens,
• 10–11 August. War Diary states positions and below war diary extract is map of location for this battle. The target being Damery.
• It likely that William was wounded at Amiens. Note he is given a honourable discharge Wounds in 1919.The casualties for the battle on the 10-11 Aug were heavy. 7 Officers and 24 men killed. 7 Officers and 240 men wounded. 42 men missing and one man gassed.

Note While the 32 Division was to be involved in more battles the 1st Devons appear to be placed in reserve after 13 September.

1919

• 4 June. Honourably discharged – Wounds

Medals

Sources

1. 1. Ancestry  and BFA database
   2. 1st Devons War Diary
   3. Wikipedia and Long Long Trail 32 Division information

After the War

1939 Census

William B. Gates born 23.12.1890 public works contractors labourer and Ethel born 12.10.1887 living 75 Palmerstone Road Poole

Death 1974

details

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/