BORN HULL 1892. SON OF JOHN WILLIAM & MARGARET HANNAH BLANCHARD, OF 5, CITY GROVE, HARROW STREET, HULL (WAR PENSION ADDRESS). ONE OF SIX CHILDREN. EMPLOYED AS A RADIATOR LABOURER AT IDEAL STANDARD.
HE ENLISTED IN HULL. SERVED WITH THE 1/4TH EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT. DIED OF WOUNDS ON 17/06/1916, AGED 23. BURIED AT BAILLEUL COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, NORD. HE WAS SINGLE AND LEFT HIS ARMY EFFECTS TO HIS MOTHER. HIS BROTHER, PRIVATE, ERNEST EDWARD BLANCHARD, 7TH EYR, DIED OF WOUNDS ON 20/04/1917, AGED 24. HIS DEATH WAS REPORTED IN THE HULL DAILY MAIL, ON 29/06/1916. *
1/4th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment – Map 28 Wytschaete – 17 June 1916, War Diary reads:-
12.25am Enemy released Gas opposite E trenches, the wind at the time was North and rather variable. It blew the gas across the ‘New Cut’ trench E3. E1. E6 trenches. The gas cloud was very thick and lasted about 20 minutes. Few casualties were caused at first, but the after effects proved fatal in several cases, 2nd Lt WF Carlton was killed in F Trench, 2nd Lt Gresham very severely wounded, 2nd Lt Sutton slightly wounded, 2nd Lt WRR Brown and 2nd Lt Marshall were affected by shock and gas and left the trenches.
The Total casualties were, Officers killed 1, wounded 3, other ranks killed 10, wounded 74, missing 1. 5 other ranks of the wounded subsequently died at the dressing station at LINDENHOEK. 2nd Lt GH Lofthouse sick to hospital.
18 June 1916
Quiet day no casualties. 2nd Lt Carlton and 17 other ranks were buried at LINDENHOEK Cemetery, N.27.c. These men were casualties on the 17/06/1916. Six were killed by shellfire, 11 died of gas poisoning. 2 men of the wounded died in hospital and 2 others were buried at LOCRE.