Ernest Hercules Blincko
1878-1902
Father Nm:Hercules Frederick Blincko [3611] b. 1841 Lambeth c 5.4.1849 Lambeth J.Q. died Jun Q 1900 Lambeth : Oldest known ancestor – Thomas Blincow, 1729(d), Oxford.
Mother Nm: Emma Bourchier b. 1855, Lambeth, Surrey d. Q2 1903, Hackney 
Marriage Dt:
K comments: Brother Frederick William Blincko served in WW1 with the Army Services Corps. was wounded and won the Military Medal
Spouse comments:
Children.
Born 1878
1878 Lambeth
1881 CENSUS
34, Paradise Street, Lambeth
Hercules F Blincoe Head Married Male 32 1849 Upholsterer Lambeth, Surrey, England
Emma Blincoe Wife Married Female 28 1853 – Lambeth, Surrey, England
Ernest H Blincoe Son Single Male 2 1879 – Lambeth, Surrey, England
Clara E Blincoe Daughter Single Female 0 1881 – Lambeth, Surrey, Engl
1891 CENSUS
34, Paradise Street, Lambeth
Hercules Blincko Head Married Male 42 1849 Coachmaker London, England
Emma Blincko Wife Married Female 38 1853 – Lambeth
Ernest H Blincko Son – Male 12 1879 Scholar London, Middlesex, England
Clara E Blincko Daughter – Female 10 1881 Scholar Lambeth
Kate M Blincko Daughter – Female 8 1883 Scholar Lambeth
Alfred P Blincko Son – Male 6 1885 – Lambeth, Surrey, England
Minnie Blincko Daughter – Female 3 1888 – Lambeth
Anney F Blincko Daughter – Female 1 1890 – Lambeth
South African War
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Ernest H Blincko Corporal, 5111, 2nd Dragoons Regiment
Synopsis
Ernest was 23 years old when he departed for the second South african campaign in Novemeber 1901. We dont have records for his enlistment but he likely volunteered for the second campaign in 1901 without any other military experience. He went from the comfort of life as a reasonably well off tradesman son to harsh conditions of the Orange Free state and a war against formidable guerilla fighters well versed in horsemanship and their countryside. His death is no surprise has is inexperience and the situation at Leeuwkop no doubt contributed to his demise.
1901-1902
From the history of the 2nd Dragoons:_
The regiment sailed on the Orotava on 18th November 1901, and arrived in December. In Lord Kitchener’s despatch of 8th February 1902 it was stated that a brigade was being formed under Colonel the Honourable R T Lawley, consisting of this regiment and the 7th Hussars, to operate in the Winburg district. The brigade was for some time in the north of the Orange River Colony. They took part in General Elliot’s great drive in the last half of February, which was the most productive of the very numerous operations of that nature. It was during this drive that Steyn and De Wet with some followers broke the line near Vrede, but the bulk of the enemy were driven back by the New Zealanders under Garratt, who held their ground with magnificent determination and inflicted very heavy loss.
The drive resulted in over 800 prisoners, 25,000 cattle, 2000 horses, 200 waggons, and 50,000 rounds of ammunition.
above photo British Cavalry ford a river in the Second Boer War
In March 1902 Lawley’s brigade was moved to Springs in the Transvaal, and on 1st April had severe fighting. In his despatch of 8th April Lord Kitchener says that Colonel Lawley sent out Colonel Fanshawe with three squadrons Queen’s Bays and 30 National Scouts to make a detour preparatory to co-operating with his own advance. At 3.15 am Fanshawe surrounded a farm, where several Boers were captured; he then went on and tried to surround a laager, but the enemy were on the alert and he “was received by a very heavy fire, and realising that he was in presence of superior numbers, ordered a gradual retirement upon Leeuwkop. Close fighting then went on for several hours. The Bays, who were skilfully handled, retired steadily by alternate squadrons, whilst the Boers followed, pressing the withdrawal with the greatest determination and persistence”. Leeuwkop was found to be in the enemy’s hands, and Fanshawe had to make for another ridge, “where he received the timely support of the 7th Hussars and Lieutenant Colonel Lawley’s guns”. The Boers then fell quickly back. “In this affair, although the Bays were capably handled and displayed steadiness and gallantry in face of superior numbers, their losses were, I regret to say, heavy. Two squadron-leaders and 10 non-commissioned officers and men were killed, and 5 officers and 59 men were wounded”. Ernest was of course one of the fatalities
Medals
Sources
- Find My past and BFA database
Death 1902
1 Apr 1902 Leeuwkop a farm location near to Lindley South Africa. 
WAR MEMORIAL AT LEEUKOP FARM
On Monday 13 March 2017 a memorial was unveiled on the Leeukop hills between Lindley and Reitz. The memorial will honour the men of all nations who fought in a little known encounter on two ridges on 3 July 1900.
‘It’s a dramatic story,’ said Dr. Tony Stimson of Adelaide, Australia, who has done extensive research on this battle. ‘De Wet’s burghers were retreating on Bethlehem with British columns in pursuit.’
‘Based on Bakenkop, his artillery fought a delaying action with a British gun battery on Leeukop, the parallel ridge. They hammered away at each other all morning and then, in pouring rain, Michael Prinsloo’s commando crept through a patch of mealies and stormed the British guns, capturing three of the six.’
It was a brilliant feat of arms. Disaster threatened for the British.
Major Oldfield, the commanding officer, was fatally shot and the whole battery was on the point of falling into Boer hands.
But one officer escaped. He found a troop of the 4th South Australian Imperial Bushmen under Captain A.E.M. Norton, and about 16 men charged up the reverse slope of Leeuwkop with more following.
After a brief exchange of rifle fire Prinsloo’s men beat a hasty withdrawal. Without horses they had no means of whisking the captured guns away.
The memorial is a joint initiative of the Jordaans, owners of the Bakenkop and Leeukop farms, and Australian historian Dr. Tony Stimson. Dr. Stimson is Captain Norton’s grandson.
‘My grandfather died long before I was born,’ he said, ‘but I always knew this is where he won his Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.)’
‘I first visited the Jordaans in 2012 and I returned a year later. This time I knew a lot more, having researched the battle in archives in Australia and London.’
‘I said to Albert and Rene: how would it be if we built a memorial honouring all the men who fought there – the British gunners who died at their guns, the burghers who seized the guns, and the South Australians who took them back – all in perhaps 25 minutes!’
I’ll never forget that moment,’ Dr. Stimson said. ‘They looked at each other, nodded and then we shook hands. I’m very grateful to them for making this possible.’
The sandstone and slate memorial is positioned on a rise between the two ridges.
Members of the public are cordially invited to the unveiling ceremony (times and directions below) at which an Australian tour group will be present.
The official unveiling ceremony at Leeukop Memorial
site commences at 1 pm
Directions from Lindley: take Kerk Street past the cemetery in an easterly direction for approximately 17 kms. Take a left onto the S1148 (the first left turn opportunity since Lindley), 5 km further is Bakenkop residence on the left. Further 3 kms is Leeukop memorial on the right.
For completeness, the GPS at Bakenkop residence is 27′ 55′ 00.64 S and 28′ 04′ 19.53 E Leeukop gate to memorial is 27′ 55′ 26.41 S and 28′ 06′ 05.92 E
We look forward to your company on this historic occasion.
Contact: Mr. Albert Jordaan
Telephone-Cell/Mobile: 082 445 4217
Gallery
