Blencowe Thomas F C – Blencowe Family in World War Two

Thomas frederick Cyril Blencowe

1920-1982

Father Nm: Cyril Albert Blencowe was born in 1895 in Bicester, Oxfordshire (son of John Blencowe and Matilda Eliza Austin); died in Jan 1935 in Ploughley, Oxfordshire

Mother Nm: Beatrice May Winman was born about 1895 in Bicester, Oxfordshire; died in 1932 in Bicester, Oxfordshire.

Marriage Dt: Thomas married Dorothy M Monk in 1943 in Maldon, Essex.

K comments: Father Cyril served with the Oxford and Bucks LI in WW1, Brother Frederick served as a Gunner with the RAF
Spouse comments: Dorothy M Monk was born in 1926 in Maldon, Essex.

Children.

Born 1920

1920 in Bicester

1939 CENSUS

39, St John’s Street, Bicester, Bicester Market End, Oxfordshire

Cyril Blencowe Head 1895 25 Bicester, Oxfordshire Under Gardener Oxfordshire
Beatrice Blencowe Wife 1896 25 Bicester, OxfordshireHome Duties –
John Blencowe Son 1918 3 Bicester, Oxfordshire
Thomas Blencowe Son11920 – Bicester, Oxfordshire

WW2

The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

Private, 5382618, 7th Battalion, Oxf & Bucks Light Infantry

Synopsis

Thomas was clearly in Essex (probably Colchester) in 1943 because he had met and married Dorothy Monk of Maldon Essex. He was then likely to be stationed in this are for a decent period up until his marriage suggesting at least 1942 was spent here. This supports that he was with the 7th Battalion of the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry which was based in Colchester, Essex, during this period. They were part of the Home Defence forces and underwent training before being deployed overseas later in 1943

1942-1943

Training with 7th Bn OBLI in Colchester.

1943

19 April. Battle of EnfidavilleThey fought in Tunisia, they 167th Infantry Brigade, which was under the 56th (London) Division and part of the 8th Army (Desert Rats). The British Eighth Army attacked Enfidaville on 19 April captured the village, but met strong resistance
4 May. The map below shows that the 167th Bde attacked on this day towards Djebel Tebega.
Italy (1943-1945):

1944

1 July. Italy. The Regiment embarked at Port Said on the M.V. Britannic on the 11th July. Disembarkation took place at Taranto on the 17th July and all were concentrated near Rome on the 23rd July.
31 August. Advance to the Gothic Line

Note: This following period of the 7th Battalion italian campaign period is covered in great detail in the RECORD OF THE 7TH BATTALION OXFORDSHIRE & BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY

2-6 September The Battle of Montefiore The map below shows rge advance of the 7th Battalion to the Gothis line and then the location of the battle for Montefiore.
4 September, On this day the movement was through Montefiore and the Battalion lost 12 men on this day in the fighting.
6-7 September. The Attack on Gemmano. There was 10 men kjilled in this attack.
13-14 September. The Battle for Sensoli