Captain Arthur Reginald BLENNERHASSETT (1890-1918).

Mentioned in Despatches.

NZEF Service # 23070; Acting Captain & Adjutant, Wellington Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion, 12th Reinforcements, New Zealand Expeditionary Forces (NZEF).

Born 12 September 1890 - at Nelson, South Island, New Zealand.

Arthur Blennerhassett was the son of (the late) Thomas William and Annie Blennerhassett - of Wanganui, Rangitikei Region, North Island, New Zealand. Thomas Blennerhassett - was born at Tralee, Ireland - and was a Draper at Nelson.

Prior to enlistment for war service Arthur Blennerhassett was employed as a Bank Clerk - at the Bank of New Zealand - at Taihape, Rangitikei Region, North Island, New Zealand.

Arthur Blennerhassett enlisted for war service - on 19 October 1915 - at Trentham Military Training Camp, Wellington Region, New Zealand. He was 24 years of age

At enlistment Arthur Blennerhassett was posted as a Rifleman - with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 12th Reinforcements, NZEF. .

On 16 October 1916 Rifleman Blennerhassett left New Zealand for overseas war service - with the 12th Reinforcements NZEF - aboard HMNZ T66 'Willochra' - from Port of Wellington, North Island, New Zealand.

Rifleman Blennerhassett disembarked from his transport ship from New Zealand - on 28 December 1916 - at Devonport, England.

On 4 January 1917 Rifleman Blennerhassett was posted to the 1st Battalion of the Wellington Infantry Regiment NZEF - at England.

On 1 February 1917 Rifleman Blennerhassett left England for war service - at France & Belgium.

Ten days later - on 12 February 1917 - Rifleman  Blennerhassett joined his Battalion - the 1st Battalion of the Wellington Infantry Regiment NZEF - in the field, at France or Belgium

On 14 April 1918 Rifleman Blennerhassett was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant - at France. He was promoted again, at France, to the rank of (Acting) Captain & Adjutant.

Captain Arthur R. Blennerhassett continued to serve, with the Wellington Infantry Regiment NZEF - at France & Belgium until he was killed in action - on 4 November 1918 - during the liberation of the French town of Le Quesnoy - by New Zealand soldiers of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade NZEF - at France. He was 28 years of age.

At the end of October 1918 the New Zealand Division was ordered to capture the French fort town of Le Quesnoy - which had been held captive by the Germans since 1914. The town of Le Quesnoy was occupied by many French civilians.

The town of Le Quesnoy was an old fort town - with thick, low, ramparts (walls) surrounding it. The town was surrounded by ditches filled with water - to stop tunnellers tunnelling under the walls.

The outer walls were bombarded by the New Zealand Field Artillery - and under the cover of smoke, provided by oil mortars, a party of New Zealand Riflemen, from the New Zealand Rifle Brigade NZEF, were able to reach the inner wall. The first New Zealand soldier - 2nd Lieutenant Leslie Averill - then scaled the wall to enter the town of Le Quesnoy. Soon after German soldiers opened the Main Gates to Le Quesnoy - and 800 German soldiers surrendered to the New Zealand soldiers entering the town.

During the battle, by New Zealand soldiers of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, to liberate the town of Le Quesnoy not a single civilian life was lost..

130 New Zealand soldiers - including Captain Arthur R. Blennerhassett - were killed in action or died of wounds - and a further 300 New Zealand soldiers were wounded in the liberation of Le Quesnoy, France  - on 4 November 1918.

Seven days later - at 11am on the 11 November 1918 - the Armistice came into effect - silencing the guns - and ending World One 1.

Captain Arthur R. Blennerhassett is buried at Le Quesnoy Communal Cemetery Extension, Le Quesnoy, France (Grave ref: 1.B.22).

For Captain Arthur R. Blennerhassett's full military record refer to New Zealand Online Cenotaph : www.aucklandmuseum.com

Photo Credit : Lieutenant A.R. Blennerhassett : 'Auckland Weekly News' (28 February 1918) - from the Auckland Library Heritage Collection (Auckland, New Zealand) : Collection item reference # AWNS 19180228-34-2.

Photo Credit: Captain Arthur R. Blennerhassett : Auckland War Memorial Museum (Auckland, New Zealand).

References:

(1) Cambridge (New Zealand) & Le Quesnoy (France)  Friendship Association : www.cambridge/le quesnoy.co.nz/casualties.

(2) The liberation of the French town of Le Quesnoy - on 4 November 1918 : 'Le Quesnoy - The Story of the Town New Zealand Saved' ; Author : Glyn Harper; Puffin Books; New Zealand 2012.

Despatches. For the Citation refer  +profile.

Jenifer Everett