Blencoe John Kenneth 1919 – Blencowe Family in World War Two

John Kenneth Blencoe

1919-1941

Father Nm: Archer Blencoe 1892–1984. BIRTH 16 JAN 1892 • Hull, Yorkshire, England
DEATH 30 APR 1984 • Hull, Yorkshire, England

Mother Nm: Lydia Elma Smith. 1894–1982, BIRTH 12 APR 1894 • Sculcoates, Hull, East Yorkshire, England. DEATH DEC 1982 • Hull, East Yorkshire, England.

Marriage Dt:

K comments: Brother Charles Dennis was an RAF Chaplain in WW2. Sister Dorothy Jean served as a WAAF in WW2. Father was with the Army Pay Corps in WW1.

Spouse comments:

(Research): Ancestry

Oldest Known Ancestor: Charles Blencowe, C1833, Northants or London.

Children:

Birth

January 1919 • Sculcoates

Before the War

WW2

Blencoe John Kenneth, Acting Sergeant (Wireless Operator), 944792, RAFVR

1939-1940

John’s serial number confirms he joined at Cardington National Archive records show that he enlisted as a Class F reservist, Direct Entry Airmen, as either a Pilot or an Observer at Cardington Bedfordshire. The number range indicates he joined at Cardington sometime between Sept 1939 and April 1940
RAF Cardington recruits from Eye Witness 1939-1945 – RAF Cardington Camp

1941

At some point transferred to Lossiemouth in northeast Scotland for operational training with Wellington Bombers. Attached to 20 Operational Training Unit as a Wireless Operator.

Wellington Bombers part of an Operational Training Unit. Photo 1943 Royal Air Force official photographer, RAF Hixon

The wireless operator transmitted all messages to and from the aircraft to their base. He had fewer duties than the other crew members as operations were generally conducted in wireless silence. However, he also served as the reserve gunner and addressed any minor emergencies in any part of the aircraft. If the aircraft got into difficulties he had to send out positional signals. If the aircraft had to ditch into the sea, he had to remain at his post to send out a distress signal to improve the crew’s chance of being located and rescued. **© IWM (D 6053)**

4 February. “Wellington IC R1367 Training takes off at Lossiemouth for a cross-country and practice bombing detail. While circling the airfield, at1040, the Wellington went out of control and crashed on the SE side of the aerodrome. Three perished immediately and Sgt Walker RNZAF died within a few hours from his terrible injuries. He lies in Lossiemouth Burial Ground, while the others were claimed by their next of kin. ” RAF Commands website
Note on the 4th February tragically yet another two other training flights crashed killing in total 18 airmen died this day whilst in training. see this page for full details.
Comment: There appears to have been a very cavalier approach to sending young inexperienced airmen on training flights, maybe conditions in this remote Scottish coastline were a factor but it seems by today’s standards scandalous waste of talented young men.
Graphic from one of the other tragic flights 4th February 1941 showing surrounding towns and Pilot of R1005 who died in a this aircrafts crash