A project for all of us

It is probable that all the Blencowe (and other spellings) men who fought in the First World War are no longer with us. Many from the Second World War have also died. I would like to compile a booklet or CD- ROM with profiles of the Blencowe men and women who died in all theatres of war, while there are people about who have memories or knowledge of them.

As many of these service personnel were unmarried, their death was the end of their potential line. Without descendants they will soon be erased from surviving family knowledge. I request any of you who lost a parent, sibling, uncle, aunt or cousin in service to the country to research on that person.

There is good data on the various memorial websites which will refresh your knowledge and form a framework of what you write. You are possibly the last people who can add the human family touch to our relatives who gave their lives for our freedom. In many cases you may be only able to add a little back ground and family information. A photograph would be excellent if it is possible.

Marilyn will send her list for the next newsletter and Jack has sent me the fallen list from the database for both World Wars.

You may like to adopt a soldier if you haven't one from your family.

As the Port Macquarie Reunion begins on ANZAC Day in Australia — 25th April 2008, there will be short remembrance ceremony where the Blencowe Roll of Honour will be read. It would be most appropriate to have the project completed and the profiles displayed with booklets available.

Eventually the completed work could go onto our website as tribute to the fallen and a resource for others to use.

Nine Blencowe men enlisted with Australian forces for the Great War. Five died in action or of wounds. That was a poor survival rate.

Don't let our heroes be forgotten.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Anne