Alfred Chapman Blench

Army Service record has not survived, military details from NCC register (record completed by Mrs Sarah Blench) and other sources. Enlisted as Private 2163, Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derbys Regiment) 7th Bn (Robin Hoods); it is possible that he mobilized from TA training camp in August 1914 as he had joined the Territorials on 18 May 1914. To France with the 7th Bn on 28 February 1915. Promoted 2nd Lieut 3 April 1915 and transferred May 1915 to 20th Manchester Regiment (5th City Pals). Awarded MC 1916, 'On a starlit night he crossed the open, entered and explored enemy trenches and obtained valuable information. He has frequently done good work on patrol.' Wounded in the abdomen 1 July 1916 at Fricourt, and died 6 July in 1st South Midlands Casualty Clearing Station, Amiens. Buried St Pierre Cemetery, Amiens (grave ref VI.B.2).

Listed in Nottinghamshire County Council register of employees who served (Nottinghamshire Archives, ref CC CL 2/12/1/1). Entries from Stapleford Church Street Boys' School, school log 1915-1940 (Nottinghamshire Archives ref SL156 2/3): July 3rd 1916 – Lieutenant A C Blench (late Asst) serving with the Manchesters has been awarded the Military Cross for valour. Congratulatory letters written by the District Correspondent and myself. July 13th 1916 - 2nd Lieut A C Blench has been reported as killed. Mr Bramley and the Corresp. have been acquainted with the fact. NCC Council Minutes 1916, Education Committee Elementary 31 October 1916, item 13 'Staffing of Schools': The Committee have to report with deep regret the death of three County teachers during the recent fighting, viz Second Lieutenant A C Blench MC, Manchester Regiment, Stapleford Council School ... Mr Blench had only recently been awarded the Military Cross.'News that former Robin Hood Rifleman, Second Lieutenant Alfred Chapman Blench, 20th Battalion Manchester Regiment, had been awarded the Military Cross was published on 28th June 1916 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “THE MILITARY CROSS. “AWARDED TO AN OLD ROBIN HOOD. “Temporary Second Lieut. Alfred Chapman Blench, who has just been awarded the Military Cross, was a member of the Robin Hoods when war broke out. He was subsequently offered a commission, and is now attached to the 20th Manchesters. He is a native of Ilkeston, and grandson the late Town Clerk of Ilkeston (Mr. Wright Lissett). He was engaged as an assistant master at the Council School, Stapleford, before the war. “The official record states that the honour has been conferred upon him "for conspicuous gallantry with a patrol. On a starlit night he crossed the open, entered and explored trenches, and obtained valuable information. He has frequently done good work on patrol."The last paragraph directly quoted his official citation:“For conspicuous gallantry with a patrol. On a starlit night he crossed the open, entered and explored enemy trenches, and obtained valuable information. He has frequently done good work on patrol.Above is courtesy of Jim Grudy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918