Blencowe Ernest Valentine 1911 – Blencowe Family in World War Two

Ernest Valentine Blencowe [6468]

1911-1941

Father Nm: Valentine Blencowe. BIRTH 1885 • Banbury, Oxfordshire, England
DEATH JAN 1923 • Banbury, Oxfordshire, England

Mother Nm: May Rosina Fenner (Charles) b. 29 May 1886 St Olave, Bermondsey d.1958 Middleton Cheney

Marriage Dt: Jul 1938 • Brackley, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom

K comments: In a double tragedy for mother May his father Valentine served with the Kings Royal Rifles in WW1 was gassed and later in 1923 died from this event and May Blencowe lost her only son to another war.

Family group Valentine Blencowe and May Rosina Fenner

Spouse comments: Mary E Forward 1912–1965. BIRTH 18 FEB 1912
DEATH OCT 1965 • Oxford, Oxfordshire, England

(Research): Ancestry

Oldest Known Ancestor: Thomas Blencowe 1803 Bishops Itchington

Children:

Birth

1911 • Banbury, Oxfordshire

Before the War

1920 Middleton Cheney

There is a strong possibility that Ernest is in the Midleton Cheney School Photo from 1920 he would have been 9 and still at the Primary school

Middleton Cheney Primary School 1920 source Middlecheney.org.uk

1939 Census

Ernest is likely in India with 8th Field Regiment, his wife Mary is with his mother (remarried) and Sophia Blencowe sister-in-law in Brackley

Queen St
Residence Place: Brackley, Northamptonshire, England
Occupation: Confectioner Cake Maker

James P Charles
May Rosina Charles
Kenneth F Charles
Mary E Blencowe
Sophia M Blencowe

WW2

Blencowe Ernest Valentine, Gunner, 796044, 8th Field Regt., Royal Regiment of Artillery.

1939

September. With 6th Indian Infantry Brigade in Lucknow India. The 8th Field Regiment were in Lucknow until August 1040 and while the 8th Ind Bde prepared to go to Singapore the 8th Fld Regt. were to be sent to the Middle East.

1940

September. Matruh Fortress, Mersa Matruh.
MERSA MATRUH HARBOUR, EGYPT, C. 1940. VIEW OF THE WHARF SHOWING TROOPS, TRUCKS AND EQUIPMENT

1941

May. Attached to General Wavells ‘Coast Brigade’ facing the Afrika Corps , but still in vicinity of the Mersa Matruh Garrison, Egypt. The Coast Brigade consisted of ;
- Coast Group
  2nd battalion The Rifle Brigade (minus one company)
  Mortar support, 3rd battalion Coldstream Guards
  5th Australian Anti-tank Battery, 2/2nd Australian Anti-Tank Regiment (2 Pounder Anti Tank guns)
  8th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery (25 Pounder Field guns)
- At this time in mid May General Wavell commander of the Allied forces conducted ‘Operation Brevity’ to retake Tobruk but General Rommel and his Afrika Corps attacked the flank of the allied Army.
  Field Artillery in action in the desert war. In this photograph the same 25 Pounder guns that the 8th Field Regiment were equipped with.
17 June. Killed in Action. On this day General Wavell attempted a counter attack which failed and it was in this battle Ernest was killed.