Blenkinsop, Joseph Stanley
3472 Corporal Joseph Stanley Blenkinsop DCM - 51st Battalion AIF
Joseph Stanley Blenkinsop was born on the 16th November 1889 in Stockton New South Wales to Joseph and Amelia Blenkinsop. He was one of four siblings, with three sisters, Sadie born 1888, Elizabeth 1893 and Amelia 1901.
The family soon moved across to WA Where Joseph (snr) secured work with the WA Government Railways.
In 1912 the family were living in Victoria Park and Joseph had his work recorded as a labourer. However shortly after this the family then moved to 48 Ellen Street Fremantle.
On the 22nd September 1915 Joseph enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force. He was found to be fit for service with the medical examiner recording his physical attributes as;
Height - 5 feet 5 inches tall;
Weight - 140lbs;
Chest Measurement - 37-40 inches;
Complexion - Dark;
Eyes - Grey;
Hair - Brown.
After his successful enlistment Joe was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp. He then had six weeks in the Infantry training depot where he was taken through the basics of soldiering. In November 1915 Joe was assigned to the 8th Reinforcements to the 28th Battalion AIF. He trained with this group in WA for the next two months. Their embarkation orders finally came through an on the 17th January 1916 Joe went aboard the troopship HMAT Borda and set sail from Fremantle Harbour, bound for Egypt.
The ship arrived in Egypt in February 1916 and the men were disembarked and sent to the 7th Training Battalion. On the 3rd March 1916 Joe was transferred to the newly forming 51st Battalion AIF.
Joe would train for the next three months with this unit in Egypt. On the 5th June 1916 the 51st Battalion left Egypt aboard the troopship Ivernia and set sail for France, arriving at Marseilles on the 12th June 1916.
After their arrival in France the 51st Battalion were sent north to the region around Armentieres where they had their first experience of trench life on the Western Front. However they didn't spend long in this area and by July 1916 were heading for the Somme Battlefield. In August and September 1916 the 51st Battalion participated in two actions at Pozieres and Mouquet Farm. Casualties were heavy but fortunately Joe came through unscathed.
On the 15th September 1916 Joe was promoted to Lance Corporal and ten days later was promoted Corporal.
On the 2nd April 1917 the 51st Battalion were involved in the operations to capture the French village of Noreuil. It was largely successful but casualties were heavy. Joe was recommended and awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his bravery. The official recommendation reads;
On the 2nd April 1917 during the advance and attack on Noreuil, this NCO's platoon officer and senior NCO's became casualties. Corporal Blenkinsop unhesitatingly took charge and with commendable initiative superintended the consolidation of his part of the line under heavy shell fire. His skilful handling of the platoon and continued devotion to duty set a splendid example for all his men to follow.
Joseph was then promoted Sergeant and was awarded his Distinguished Conduct Medal by the King in a Ceremony in England. Article below from the Sunday times 3rd June 1917.
Joe served with the 51st Battalion at Messines from June to August 1917 and then the Third Battle of Ypres in September and October 1917. He survived these major actions unscathed and at the beginning of 1918 he was transferred to England for duty with the 13th Training Battalion at Codford Camp.
Joe remained in England throughout 1918 and was still based there when the Armistice was declared in November 1918. On the 2nd February 1919 Joe rejoined the 51st Battalion in Belgium, but only stayed here for six weeks, returning to England on the 13th March 1919.
On the 1st May 1919 Joe boarded the transport ship China and set sail for home reaching Fremantle on the 1st June 1919. Joe was then discharged from the AIF on the 24th July 1919.
Post WW1 Joe moved to Spearwood and operated Market Gardens in the district for the next twenty years.
In 1927 he married Frances May Hines and a daughter called Batty was born in 1928.
In World War Two Joe enlisted again and served with the Spearwood Battalion of the Volunteer Defence Corps (photo below)
Joe died on the 22nd February 1952 and was buried in Fremantle Cemetery plot Methodist Mon B4 0207