George Blinko in his Bucks Hussars or Imperial Yeomanry uniform found by grandson George Blinko in his attic Amelia Blinko (Edwards) Scrapbook Amelia shown here probably after George Blinko had died and about the time she met and married James OxladeIn 1871 Mark Blinko and family living at No. 1 California close the the Great western Raily Line in Aylesbury Town.
The follow Army records show that George was enlisted in from 1888 until he was placed in the reserves in 1895.
Henry George was at Bardon Hill before 1894 and after1896 -Granite Stone worker at Bardon Hill and living in 37 The Crescent (company owned cottages). Brother Frederick living next door at No 36 The Crescent. It was here he and Amelia had their first two children in 1894 and 1896Bardon Hill Granite workers in 1890’s fellow to the far left as a strong resemblance to Henry George Blinko . Could it be him?Large rocks blasted from the quarry were reduced down in size in the crushing shed and shipped by rail trucks directly from there
In 1900 it seems George was to go to South Africa with the Hussars, the fact that he isnt with the family in the 1901 census seems to support this newspaper report of his recruitment in the Bucks Advetiser 3 Feb 1900
From Ken Blinko”The two photos attached (above and below) are of Amelia and Henry’s house in Windsor End. I had to scan them from an old book so the quality isn’t too good. The first one is dated 1905 and the second is some years later after the cottages had been renovated, regrettably,
all the houses on the left-hand side were demolished in 1956 to make way for road widening, which seems a bit screwball now since the road is a dead-end after the motorway was built. It is interesting to study the Census record and since the cottages and the house opposite called Little Hall Barn were the last houses in Windsor End I assume the enumerator worked down the left-hand side and then back up the right, this would have put Henry’s house as the third cottage from the bottom end.”
Hall Barn estate where in the 1900’s Henry is known to have been employed as a coachman, his employer Lord Burnham newspaper baron. View of the The Lodge and ornamental gates at the entrance to Hall Barn Estate, Beaconsfield. c 1900 Copyright High Wycombe LibraryFront view of the Lodge taken in 1970 the intricately carved wood as since been restored. Copyright Bucks Free Press Extract from History of Bucks (William Page) dated 1925 “Hall Barn, south of the town, is now the residence of Lord Burnham, K.C.V.O. The house was apparently built about 1675, but much altered and added to in the 19th century. It is surrounded by magnificent grounds, which extend to the southern boundary of the parish, and contain the ‘Grove,’ in which are placed statues and an obelisk. Access to the park is obtained through gates guarded by a lodge, which is covered with early 17th-century oak carving said to have been brought from Italy by Sir Gore Ouseley” Hall Barn House and Estate Hall Barn House C 1900
South African War
George was selected by the Imperial Yeomanry for active service in Feb 1900 at High Wycombe the newpaper clipping from Bucks Advertiser and Aylesbury news 3 Feb 1900.
Why the above indicates George was selected for active service its not in itself proof he was to go to South Africa he may have not but the fact he was recorded on 2 April 1901 census at home means he was most likely at least in Imperial Yeomanry camp in Gt Britain. If he did go then the There were 3 contingents:
First Contingent 10,242 men Early 1900
Second Contingent 16,597 Spring 1901
Third Contingent 7,239 Dec 1901
George and Amelia were to return to Long Crendon before his death in 1911 where the 1911 census shows they were living on Burts Lane. George and Amelia’s great grandaughters Penny and Valerie Blinko in 2006 Ken Blinko wrote. The girls took me on a visit to Long Crendon in mid Sept – it was somewhere I had always wanted to see and what a beautiful little place it is – can quite see why Amelia loved it so – little winding lanes and loads of little thatched cottages all painted in different pastel shades – am attaching two photo’s – the first one of the girls standing at the entrance to Burt’s Lane. Unfortunately the Census doesn’t give house numbers and those names it does give have mostly disappeared so we were unable to ascertain which was the Blinko house. It is shown as Burt’s Way on the census and is only about three hundred yards long, intersecting the High street and another major road.
The 1911 Census return showing Amelia and Children living in Long Crendon
