Blencoe Arthur Kitchener 1908 – Blencowe Family in World War Two

Arthur Kitchener Blencoe

1908-1975

Father Nm: Benjamin Blencoe 1873–1953. BIRTH ABT 1874 • Lincolnshire, England. DEATH JUL 1953 • Hull, Yorkshire East Riding, England

Mother Nm: Sarah Ann Robinson. 1875–1948. BIRTH ABT 1875 • Hull, Yorkshire, England. DEATH JUL 1948 • Hull, Yorkshire East Riding, England

Marriage Dt: March Quarter 1929 Hull

K comments: Arthur’s Uncle Archer served in WW1 with the West Yorks

WW2: Cousin John Kenneth Blencoe was killed in flying accident in 1941. Cousins Dorothy served with RAF in WW2 and Charles Dennis served as a Chaplain with the RAF.

Spouse comments: Muriel Taylor (20 Oct 1898 Sculcoates -1998 Hull)

(Research): Ancestry

Oldest Known Ancestor: Charles Blencowe, C1833, Northants.

Children:

Birth

1 May1908 • Hull, Yorkshire, England

Before the War

1911 Census

1921 Census

Age2 with parents Hull

1924-1939

1936. Evidence of Arthur joining the Territorial Army around 1924 is his award of the Territorial Efficiency Medal in 1936. Note: The medal was awarded to non-commissioned officers and men for a minimum of 12 years service in the Territorial Army, providing they attended 12 annual training camps. Source WO records 102_34. A K Blencoe, Private, Service Number:, 4339571, Authority: A.O. 222 Authority Date:1936, 4th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment. Archive Reference:WO102_34

WW2

The East Yorkshire Regiment (The Duke of York’s Own

Blencoe Arthur Kitchener, Private, 4339571, 2nd and 4th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment

Synopsis

Probably the longest serving Blencowe soldier who also served in WW2 and twice awarded medals for Long Service and Good Conduct. Arthur at some point either before the war or in the war was transferred from 4th Bn. to 2nd Bn. East Yorks. Both battalions were Territorial units of the Army they both went with BEF to France in 1940 and suffered in the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940. What is certain that by 1942 Arthur was with the 2nd Bn. when they returned to France and the Normandy Invasion. But most likely between 1939 he was with the 4th Bn East Yorks. In any event during the war Arthur went to fight in Libya, France twice, Western Europe and finally in the occupation army of Germany.

1939-1941

4th Battalion:

The 4th Battalion was a 1st Line Territorial Army unit serving in the 150th Infantry Brigade in the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division and, like the 2nd Battalion, served in France 1940, were evacuated at Dunkirk to England and remained in the United Kingdom with the division until mid-1941 when it was sent to the Middle East.

The 4th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, was one of the three battalions making up 150 Brigade. In April 1941 the 150th Brigade, as part of 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division fought in Libya as part of XIII corps, British Eighth Army. Whilst fighting on the Gazala Line the Brigade was overrun at Bir Hakeim and destroyed, and never reformed.

2nd Battalion:

The 2nd Battalion was in Plymouth and part of the 8th Infantry Brigade. It had recently returned from Palestine.
07 September 1939: By now it had moved to Bridport, Dorset. It became part of the 3rd Infantry Division, same Brigade.
1940: Part of the BEF, Battalion with the formation went to France.
June 1940: It retreated to the beaches of Dunkirk and was one of the last Battalions to be evacuated. It returned to the UK and spent time preparing defences on the south coast. Afterwards were chosen to form part of the new “Field Army”
1942: Intense combined operation training for the Dieppe raid in France on the 19 August. Lucky for the Battalion the Canadians took on the raid.

1939 Census

1942-43

The 2nd Bn. underwent intense combined operation training for the Dieppe raid in France on the 19 August. Lucky for the Battalion the Canadians took on the raid and suffered immense casualties..

1944-1945

Before D-Day the 2nd Battalion went to Scotland for training in beach assaults.

06 June 1944. The Battalion took part in Operation Overlord. It took all their objectives despite suffering many casualties.As part of the 3rd Infantry Division, they landed on Sword Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944. The battalion faced heavy resistance, including crossfire from mortars, artillery, and snipers, but they managed to secure their objectives despite suffering numerous casualties.Their initial tasks involved clearing the beach area and advancing inland to capture key positions, such as Strongpoint “Sole” and other objectives. They worked alongside tanks and artillery to overcome enemy defenses. The battalion continued to be actively engaged throughout the Normandy campaign, contributing to the Allied push through France

16 October 1944. The first troops of this division entered Venray on October 16th 1944. These were the troops of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and the 2nd Battalion of the East Yorkshire Regiment. The first one pushed through the St. Anna buildings to the St. Servatius monastery to the east of Venray. Here they dug in on October 17th 1944 and established a line of trenches and foxholes.

The 2nd Battalion was involved in action all the way through the Normandy Campaign, then on into Belgium, Holland and lastly into Bremen, Germany. This attack was the last action of the campaign for the Battalion.
08 May 1945: VE day the Battalion was employed on occupational duties in Westphalia, Germany.

1947

In 1947 Arthur is awarded the Long Service medal (18 years of service)

A K Blencoe, Private, Service Number: 4339571
Authority: A.O. 26/47 Authority Date: February 1947
East Yorkshire Regiment WO 102 TFEM 37

The Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct (Military) may be awarded to members of the UK Armed Forces who have completed eighteen (later fifteen) years of reckonable service.