Blinko Kenneth George 1922

Kenneth George Blinko

1922-2016

Father Nm: Albert Stanley Blinko 1899-1960 Beaconsfield

Mother Nm: Dorothy May Oxlade 1896-1927 Beaconsfield

Marriage Dt: June Quarter 1947 Petersfield Kent.

K comments: Father Albert served with signals in WW1 brother Ronald Geoffrey served with Royal Navy in WW2.

Spouse comments: Dorothy I P Mason 1925-2005

(Research): Ancestry

Oldest Known Ancestor: William Blincoe died 1702 Bicester

Children: David John Blinko born1949 married Lavinia Tilson. Valerie Ann Blinko born1951 married Anthony Peter Hardware, Penelope Joan Blinko born1959 married Andrew Vincent Kelly

Birth

1922 Saunderton Bucks. Registered as Blincoe but used Blinko entire life father when remarried changed from Blinko to Blincoe in the opposite direction.

Before the War

1927

The children Ken, Ron and Enid were pretty much abandoned when their mother died and went to live with Father’s mother Granny Amelia Blinko now Oxlade.

Kenneth and his younger brother Ron sister Enid was fostered and didn’t live her with brothers

WW2

Synopsis

Ken Blinko was a relative of mine who in truth I didn’t really know that well until we were both old men. Yet it was1962 when i first met him at Beaconsfield Telephone Exchange where he was the Technical Officer and he was to be my supervisor for a short period. Such is life that I can only recall a very brief conversation where he informed me he knew my Dad (a cousin) and that was all we exchanged. Much later in 2006 we collaborated on our families history and he sent me the personal photos in this page. Ken was a modest and clever man his technical skills renowned and interest in technology remained, even in his eighties was using computer flight simulation for his pastime and riding an electric bike around Bucks. Ken’s role in the war was a technical one he trained in Signals with the Army and subsequently was moved to the British Governments Signals unit later in the war.

I regret that even as we worked together I didn’t get more from ken on his war years, as a result, the information is scant and we don’t even have a serial number for his Army service.

1942-1943

Ken attended his training at Catterick Army Camp the photo of him (top of page) he told me was taken at Catterick. Kens was trained in wireless signals he doesn’t appear in Army records with a serial number and as the work was considered highly secret he may not have had a number.
At some point, I believe he was posted to No 1 Special Wireless group a War office managed unit. This from the Royal Signals website describes the Group I believe he was with.

No 1 Special Wireless Group – formed in 1934 as 4 Company War Office Signals. It became 2 Company CHQ Signals in 1938 and was despatched to France in 1939. After the evacuation of the BEF from Dunkirk to the UK, the unit became 1 Special Wireless Group on 6th July 1940, It comprised of two companies – one based in Egham and one in Radlett. In June 1944 the unit went to Normandy with 21st Army Group to supervise the special wireless sections in 1st Canadian Army and 2nd British Army. In 1945 it became 1st Special Wireless Regiment, later 13th Signal Regiment.

1944

June. War Office Signals -Operation Overlord

From Ken Blinko 2006. “The Army Group – by now I was in War Office Signals and attached to the Americans – here we are awaiting embarkation for Omaha E beach In June 44 – I.m sitting front row at the right – incidentally we set up the first multi/channel cross channel radio link after the invasion”

After the War

November. Ken is discharged from the War office and joins the British Post and Telegraph service as a Technician in the Oxford Telephone Area. he worked for the telephone department until he retired in about 1987.