Sergeant 18159 Christopher BLANCHETT. B. Coy 3rd Canadian Infantry. Killed in action 17 June 1915.
Born 6 September 1883 ( source, army record)( Birth was registered in 1881) to Frederick and Mary Blanchett, nee Curry. 1891 with his parents at Whitehill Lane, Wootton Bassett. 1900 he was Private 6195 with the 3rd Wiltshire Regiment when he deserted 28 June 1900 aged 18 from Kilworth Army Camp Knockanenabohilly, Co. Cork, Ireland. Husband of Mildred Ellen, nee Sainsbury who he married in Wootton Bassett 11 April 1903. 1911 with his wife and children at 13 Victory Row, Wootton Bassett. Occupation, employed by the Great Western Railway as 2nd man, railway platelayer. Killed in action in action 17 June 1915. Commemorated on the Vimy Memorial, France.
Two days ago, the men of the 1st Canadian Division finally traded in their Ross Rifles for Lee Enfields that are more reliable and easier to maintain in the dirty, chaotic conditions of trench warfare. Having covered their nation in glory during the month of May by defending Ypres and attacking at F
ww1blog.osborneink.com
Some notes from remains of his army record.
Joined 19 September 1914 into the 101st Edmonton Fusiliers, Canada at Private 18159.
Born at Wootton Bassett, previously served with the Wiltshire Regiment for 4 years. Status, widower. Prior to embarkation to England, he was transferred to 9th Canadian Infantry. Date not recorded he along with the 9th Bn embarked from Canada to Canadian (Transit) Camp Shorncliffe Kent. It was the largest of the bases located on the Kent coast and twenty miles from France. The 2 May 1915 his he and his unit embarked from Folkestone for France. Disembarking the next day where he and others were posted to 3rd Battalion. He was reported missing in action, later changed to killed in action 17 June 1915, and was laid to rest in Duck’s, Bill, France behind grave No 37. It appears that the temporary burial location may have been destroyed by military action from both sides.
UK, De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour, 1914-1919
Full extract
Christopher Blanchett. Sergt No 18159, 3rd Battn Canadian Expeditionary Force. Son of Frederick Blanchett of Whitehill Cottage Wootton Bassett by his wife Mary daughter of James Curry Co Somerset. Born Wootton Bassett, Co Wilts. Education Council School there; enlisted in the Wiltshire Regt served through the South African war afterwards going to Canada in April 1913. After the outbreak of war he joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force August 1914 and was killed in action at Ducks’ Bill France 19 June 1915. He married at Wootton Bassett 11 April 1903 Mildred Ellen daughter of William Sainsbury of Wootton Bassett and had a son and two daughters. Stuart born 19 January 1912; Zita Mary Asenatte born 2 May 1907 and Mildren Christina born 22 May 1909.
