John ‘Jack’ Thomas Blencowe
1922-1943
Father Nm: Thomas John Blencowe 1899-1937
Mother Nm: Doris May Machin 23 Apr 1898 -1945.
Marriage Dt:
K comments: Father Thomas John served with the 7th Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry and was probably gassed in 1918 as he died age 37.
Spouse comments:
(Research): Ancestry
Oldest Known Ancestor:
Children:
Birth
June Q 1922 Aston Birmingham.
Before the War
1921 Census
9, 7 H, St George’s Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire
| Thomas J | Blencowe |
Head
|
Male | 1872 | 48 | Birmingham, Warwickshire, England | Bricklayer | J Lloyd & Son Builders |
| Catherine | Blencowe |
Wife
|
Female | 1872 | 49 | Birmingham, Warwickshire, England | Household Duties | – |
| Elsie | Blencowe |
Daughter
|
Female | 1897 | 24 | Birmingham, Warwickshire, England | Press Worker | J R Gaunt Wmiltary Buttons |
| Thomas J | Blencowe |
Son
|
Male | 1899 | 22 | Birmingham, Warwickshire, England | Bricklayer Improver | J Lloyd & Son Builders |
| William H | Blencowe |
Son
|
Male | 1901 | 20 | Birmingham, Warwickshire, England | Labourer Out Of Work | Dunlop Rubber Co |
| Florence M | Blencowe |
Daughter
|
Female | 1910 | 10 | Birmingham, Warwickshire, England | – | – |
| Lillian M | Squier |
Niece
|
Female | 1901 | 20 | Birmingham, Warwickshire, England | Capstan Lathe Work | Barwells Cock & Bell Founders |
1937
Father who was most likely invalided from WW1 dies leaving his mother in need of work to support the family.
1939 Census
Not at home Mother widow Handpress Operator and Jack may have already joined up.
WW2
|
Royal Navy |
Able Seaman P/SSX32128 BV 42, Royal Navy Hm Boom Defence Vessel 42
1939-1942
- Jacks postings unknown but may have enlisted in 1939 and at some time before December been posted to HMS Claverhouse in Edinburgh . From April 1940 it was in use for Merchant Navy Defence Courses, and also served as the headquarters for the Motor Launches of the local Coastal Forces.
HMS Claverhouse - Jack is posted to Boom Vessel operating in the Leith Harbour area. The main role of the Boom Defense was to protect against submarines entering the Harbour by laying nets etc.
typical WW2 Boom Vessel
1943
- 22 December. Jack was serving on Boom Vessel No 42 in Leith Docks and its believed this was being used to support Barrage Balloon Launches when a tragic accident occurred. A Hydrogen (barrage flotation gas) explosion occurred on this day killing six outright and fatally wounding Jack who died in Leith hospital of his wounds
Listing of Casualties from Navy records
Burial
RemeMbered fondly
Sources
- Forces War Records. War Office records
- Ancestry Military Tree of Blencowes WW2/ BFA Database