BLENKINSOP, 710 Sergeant John David MM

710 Sergeant John David Blenkinsop MM

13^th Battalion AIF

by Robert Simpson

John David Blenkinsop was born on 14^th December 1893 in Askham, Doncaster, Yorkshire, England, a son to James Edward Blenkinsop and Elizabeth Davies. They were married on the 16^th October 1890. He was one of six children and the second of four boys. His father was a Police Constable at the time. One of his brothers, Gordon Lionel (born 18^th March 1895) was enlisted at Braithwell First and Middle School on 18^th July 1898, but was on there until August 1898, when they left the district. The 1901 census has them living at Thurnscoe Rd in Bolton upon Dearne, Yorkshire and in the 1911 census they are living at 133 Doncaster Rd, Goldthorpe. Later that year on 17^th November a John Blenkinsop left England at London on the ship Ballarat and is noted as a farmhand. He was headed for Australia and landed in Melbourne on 30^th December. After arriving he may have stayed in Melbourne for a while but he ends up in New South Wales, residing at the home of Mrs. H Smith at Dubbo, c/o Ballimore Post Office.

Below is a family portrait. From left are Mr. James Edward Blenkinsop, Gordon Lionel, Jane Emma, Evan James, John David, with James Edward Penryhn and Mrs. Elizabeth Blenkinsop. The youngest sister, Elizabeth Jane was born in 1909. When taken, James was at the Police Station at Bolton on Dearne.

On the 15^th September 1914, he enlisted in the army at Rosebury Park Camp, attesting as a Private in the 13^th Battalion, G Company, number 710. The battalion was recruited in New South Wales. He stated he was 20 years and 9 months, height 5 foot 9 inches, weight 10 stone 12 pounds and a chest measurement of 36 to 38.5 inches. He was described as having a dark complexion, blue eyes and black hair and he had vaccination marks and a scar on his right leg. His religion was Church of England. His trade or occupation was listed as a Miner and Bushman (sleeper cutter). His next of kin was stated as his Father, Mr. J E Blenkinsop of 20 Newport Ave, Selby, Yorkshire. He had no previous military service. His Casualty – Active Service Form states he joined on the 12^th and his terms of service was for the war and 4 months. After training he embarked on HMAT Ulysses (A38) from Melbourne on 22^nd December 1914. Of his pay of 5 shillings a day, he was leaving 3 and 6 in Australia and had a Net pay of 1 and 6 and 1 shilling deferred pay. With the 14^th, 15^th and 16^th Battalions, the 13^th Battalion formed the 4^th Brigade, commanded by Colonel John Monash. They embarked for overseas in late December and after a brief stop in Western Australia, arrived in Egypt in early February 1915 and became part of the New Zealand and Australian Division.

On 12^th April, he proceeded to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force heading to Gallipoli. They landed at Anzac Cove late in the afternoon of the 25^th April. The battalion was heavily involved in establishing and defending the front line from May to August. During this time, John was promoted from Lance Corporal to Acting Corporal on the 3^rd May and then to Corporal on the 31^st May. In early August 1915, the 4^th Brigade attacked Hill 971 (or Koja Chemen Tepe), the highest point of the Sari Bair Ridge. The Brigade made slow progress advancing, due to the difficult terrain and by the 8^th the assault had proved a costly failure. On the 21^st August, an attempt was made to attack Hill 60 (Kaiajik Aghala) to try to link Suvla with the ANZAC beachhead. The attack was poorly coordinated and had inadequate artillery support. The initial success was driven back by a determined Turkish counter-attack with the same result the next day also. These attacks were to be the last major attacks on Gallipoli. On the 22^nd or 23^rd of August Blenkinsop was wounded in action, a bullet wound to the left chest and right side. This caused him to be sent to Mudros and he was evacuated from there to England on the 24^th August on the SS Canada. On the 9^th September, he arrived at Princess Club Hospital at Bermondsey where he stayed for quite a while. His C.O. at Gallipoli put him on the supernumerary list on 23^rd November.

The Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer of 12^th November 1915 had the following article:

John David, James Edward and Gordon Lionel Blenkinsop

(Picture taken in possibly late 1915)

On the 11^th January 1916, he was placed on the Nominal Roll forming No. 17 Draft returning to join the M.E.F. He was attached to “A” Details on 4^th March at Zeitoun and rejoined the 13^th Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir the same day. While in Egypt the AIF was expanded and reorganised, with some experienced soldiers from the 13^th joining the 45^th Battalion. John was transferred on the 10^th March and taken on strength. He was promoted to Sergeant (provisional) on the 13^th and then to Sergeant on the same day. On the 2^nd June, he proceeded to join the B.E.F. at Alexandria on the transport Kinfauns-Castle.

They disembarked at Marseilles on 8^th June 1916 and headed to the Western Front. The battalion fought its first major battle at Pozieres in August, defending the area. On the 7^th August, he was wounded in action, a gunshot wound to the left leg. He was evacuated from the 1^st Field Ambulance to the 45^th Casualty Clearing Station and to A.T. 21 and on the 8^th to the 10^th General Hospital at Rouen. On the 10^th he was sent on the HS St. George to England and admitted to the 2^nd Southern General Hospital. He went from the 3^rd Southern General Hospital in Oxford to No. 1 AA Hospital at Harefield on the 11^th September and to No. 2A Com. Dep. at Weymouth on the 13^th. He was classified as Class B, not fit in 1 month. On the 11^th October, he was marched in to No. 1 Com. Dep. at Perham Downs and transferred to No. 3 Com. Dep. at Bovington, Woolwich on the 13^th and on the 3^rd November, he was marched out to No. 4 Com. Dep. Wareham.

On 7^th December 1916 John Blenkinsop was recommended to receive the D.C.M. but was awarded the Military Medal. The citation from The Chronicles of the 45^th Battalion AIF reads:

“On the nights of the 19^th and 20^th August 1915 Sergeant Blenkinsop (then Corporal of “D” Company 13^th Battalion AIF) was sent out to gain information as to the nature of the country in front in view of an attack by the 13^th Battalion on the 21^st August. This work was carried out by him very skilfully in face of considerable danger and the information gained was of considerable use in the attack that followed.”

On 11^th November 1916, he was placed on the supernumerary list of N.C.O.’s, owing to absence from unit for 3 months, by the C.O. of the 45^th Battalion. He was absent from the 25^th to the 30^th December 1916, when he reported back. On 23^rd February, he was transferred to the 61^st Battalion and then he was taken on strength from the 45^th Battalion on the 23^rd March. He was on command at the School of Instruction at Tidworth on the 26^th. On 9^th May 1917 at Folkstone, he was to proceed overseas to France to reinforce the 45^th Battalion ex the Infantry Draft as a Sergeant. He joined the base at Etaples on the 10^th and was marched out to unit on the 13^th and taken on strength. The Battalion was being committed to the battle of Messines, which started on 7^th June 1917. Nineteen mines were detonated immediately prior the infantry assault. This disrupted the German defences and allowed troops to rapidly secure their objectives. On the 8^th June 1917 Sergeant John Blenkinsop was killed in action. His death was noted in the Sydney Morning Herald on Thursday 12^th July 1917.

His death was not the only tragedy for the Blenkinsop household. In a letter to the Red Cross on 10^th January 1917, John asks them for information on his brother Gordon Lionel age 21, a Lance Sergeant (27463) in the 10^th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment who was missing since 19^th November 1916 and had not been heard of since. (He had originally joined in 1/7 Notts & Derby Regiment as Corporal 3656). He had heard that there was a possibility he was a POW. They referred him to another Bureau to enquire, but he was confirmed killed on that day. He was buried in grave XI. K. 2. in Connaught Cemetery at Thiepval. But he was not the first Blenkinsop in the family to fall. Their older brother, Evan James born in 1892, a Private 154685 with the 1^st Battalion Canadian Pioneers died of wounds at the No. 2 Canadian Field Ambulance of a gunshot wound to the chest on 23^rd July 1916 and was buried in Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery. He had migrated to Canada in 1912 and had left from Liverpool to arrive at Halifax. He had attested on 14^th June 1915, stating he was a labourer who was serving in the Active Militia in the 90^th Regiment.

They were not the only people to feel the tragedy of loosing Sergeant Blenkinsop. On 27^th February 1917, he had married Lorenza Agnes Allan at the Parish Church of St. James Plumstead in Kent. She was 21 and living at 28 Armstrong Place and her Father, Sydney Frank Allan was a soldier. There was more sadness when their son, John Sydney James was born in early 1918. John had left a couple of wills, one written on 12^th May 1917 left all to his “dear wife” at the above address, including all his pay and personal effects and his medals. He also pointed out that Mrs. H, Smith of Dubbo was holding his pay and he also wished his Mother to have some of the pay. He also had a will in his pay book which stated he wanted 100 pounds to go to his Mother, 50 pounds to Miss L Allen at another address and 20 pounds to Mrs H Smith and notes that Mrs H Smith draws his deducted pay and will be sending it home. A note of this was sent to Administration on 10^th November 1917.

He was originally buried in the field as noted in his service records. A Lieutenant J.D. Dewar, a 4^th Australian Division Burial Officer noted the Place of Burial as Sheet 28. S.W. 4.0.33 d 85.10. His grave must have been destroyed in subsequent fighting as he is now listed on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial in Belgium. His Father was sent notification of the awarding of the Military Medal to John on 29^th April 1917, with mention it was awarded on 27^th October 1916 and was promulgated in the London Gazette supplement 29805. His Father replied with a letter thanking the Base Record Officer for letting him know of the award but grieving that he had been killed in action. He had signed it James Blenkinsop, police constable.

Pensions were issued to family members from 4^th September 1917 with the following breakdowns: –

Elizabeth Blenkinsop (his Mother) of 21 Newport Ave, Selby, Yorkshire getting 10 shillings per fortnight,

James Edward Blenkinsop (his Father) same address and same amount,

Lorenzia Agnes Blenkinsop (his wife) of 28 Armstrong Place, Woolwich, S.E.18 getting 52 shillings and 9 pence per fortnight, and

John Sydney James Blenkinsop (his son) of the above address getting 20 shillings per fortnight from 4^th December 1917 until 4^th December 1933.

His effects were returned to his wife and include a diary, cards, letters, photos, 2 wallets, curios and a religious book.

The War Gratuity and pay for Gordon Lionel Blenkinsop was paid to his father in 1917 and 1919, an amount of over 14 pounds in total.

The Red Cross was also involved in determining what happened to him as he was reported missing, and there are various witnesses reporting his last moments. The reports have various information and some are a bit conflicting. Some state they saw his grave after being buried in the front lines at Messines Ridge, some not. The description of his death is also conflicting but all agree it was a shell that caused it, some say it was immediate and some not, others say it hit him in the face and some say in the stomach. There are various correspondences to his wife stating what happened. So, his last moments may not be fully known, but his bravery was. There was correspondence to his wife in 1927, discussing his details to put on a possible memorial at Gilgandra.

His medals are: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals.

The museum just has his Military Medal.

Copy of medals done for a family member.

The local newspaper – Selby Times – had articles on the family: –

4^th August 1916:

Death of PC Blenkinsop’s son

News was received on Sunday that PC Blenkinsop’s eldest son Evan James Blenkinsop of the Canadian Pioneers was killed by shrapnel on 23 July aged 25, he was one of three brothers who had offered their services ….. A letter from his captain gives the location of his grave, and ‘he lived about 15 minutes, and was conscious only a short time after being struck.’

3^rd November 1916

Another military medallist for Selby

Policeman with three sons in the army

News has been received by PC Blenkinsop that his son Sgt J G Blenkinsop has been awarded the Military Medal for work done in Gallipoli. He is 22, in the 4th Bn, Australian Light Infantry and twice wounded. He was also gazetted for the Distinguished Conduct Medal for work done in France as a bombing sergeant. His brother Pte E J Blenkinsop was killed in action on 23rd July aged 25, and was in the Canadian Pioneers. Lance sergeant G L Blenkinsop is in the 10th Warwickshire Regiment and is now serving in France. The youngest son Penrhyn is a member of the Selby volunteer training corps.

Our readers will join us in congratulating PC Blenkinsop on the great sacrifice he has made, and in the sterling patriotism which both he and his sons have exhibited on behalf of King and country.

15^th December 1916

Selby soldier missing

PC J Blenkinsop has received the sad intelligence that his third son Sgt Gordon Blenkinsop, Warwickshire regiment, has been missing since 14th November. He is 22 years of age, and used to be a bricklayer.

22^nd December 1916

The missing Selby soldier

PC Blenkinsop received a letter from Sgt W Scriven about his son Lance Sgt Gordon Blenkinsop, reported missing last week. ‘….. I am very sorry to lose such a good chum, and he was almost like a brother to me. He was a good NCO and I admired his straightforward and quiet manner, and I am more than sorry……..’

22^nd June 1917

Selby Constable’s great sacrifice

PC Blenkinsop received news that his second son, Sgt Bomber Jack Blenkinsop, 23 is killed in action on 23rd inst. This makes the third son who has been sacrificed to the German onslaught, and all have been killed within twelve months. Sgt Jack had been two times previously wounded, once in Gallipoli and once in France, and had only returned to the fighting line some three weeks or a month ago. …………….. He had joined the Australian contingent at the beginning of the war; was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry and the Distinguished Conduct Medal for courageous conduct, besides being mentioned in despatches.

The eldest son, Pte Evan James Blenkinsop who was killed in action on 23rd July 1916 aged 25, was one of the first batch of Canadian Sharp Shooters picked out for their accuracy with a rifle. Lance Sgt Gordon Blenkinsop, Royal Warwickshire Regiment was killed at the Somme battle on 18th November 1916 aged 21.

Men named on the WW1 memorial tablet at St Wilfrid’s Church, Brayton.

James Edward Blenkinsop passed away on 3^rd January 1927. His gravestone also mentions his sons.

His youngest brother, James Edward Penrhyn Blenkinsop, was born on 16^th May 1900 in Bolton upon Dearne, Yorkshire. He was too young to serve in WW1, but was in Shanghai when WW2 was declared & was imprisoned by the Japanese as a political prisoner, whilst his wife, son and daughter were in-turned as civilians.

John Sydney James Blenkinsop also served, enlisting as Private 5672598 with the 4^th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry. He was killed in France on 10^th July 1944 at the age of 26, and is remembered at Panel 13, Column 3 of the Bayeux Memorial.

Elizabeth Blenkinsop passed away in December 1945 in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire and is buried in the cemetery there, with one of her daughters, Elizabeth Gwendoline Blenkinsop, who died in June 1930 (She was 21 years old). Their other daughter, Jane Emma Blenkinsop, born in 1892, did not marry and died in 1972 in Grimsby, Lincolnshire.

Lorenzia remarried in 1930 to Frank Knott and passed away in March 1957 in Greenwich.

ANZAC Biographies

On our website you will find the biographical details of ANZAC (as well as British) servicemen & women

whose medals or other memorabilia form part of the collection belonging to the

Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum,

Maryborough, Queensland, Australia.