Sargent BLAND

12608, Sargent. b. 1878, Clayton d. Sat. 29th September 1917 (aged 40)

Sargent Bland was the son of Phineas and Nancy Bland. The 1881 census shows Sargent aged 3 and his parents and siblings in Dolphin an area of Clayton Heights. His father Phineas occupation is given as a cart driver. On the 1891 census Phineas is not recorded on the census and Nancy and her children were residing at 9 Reva Syke Road in Clayton. By this time Sargent was 13 and listed as a worsted spinner.

On March 16th 1901 aged 23 Sargent is shown boarding the Etruria from Liverpool bound for New York. The next passenger on the ships register is Sam Kershaw with a ticket number one after Sagents, so maybe they travelled together to seek a new life?

On 1st January 1902 Sargent marries Emma Kubitz. Emma gives birth to her first child, Frank A Bland on 2nd January 1902. The family settled in Rochester, Monroe County New York with Emmas parents, Willaim and Carrie Kubitz. In the 1905 US census Sargent and Emma and Frank and Nancy were living with William and Carrie Kubitz. by 1910 the family had increased to five children still listed in Monroe, Rochester, New York.

Sargent, Emma and the children return to the UK on 10th December 1911.

Colonel Bland, Sargent’s brother dies in September 1913. Sargent and Emma have a son on 7th April 1914 and name him Colonel Heyward Bland in remembrance.

Sargent enlists soon after the declaration of war on 4th August 1914 when he would have been 36 years old, he rejoined the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, (Prince of Wales Own) West Yorkshire Regiment where he quickly achieved the rank of Lance Corporal.

The 3rd battalion was known as a ‘special reserve’ unit mainly made up of ex-soldiers or territorial soldiers who had spent a number of years serving. They were there to be recalled as soon as a conflict broke out so Sargent’s return to the army would have been swift. He was stationed in several different locations around the globe before being sent to France in February 1917. Whilst there, he was transferred into the Army Labour Corps. (22nd Field Company) and given a promotion to Sergeant.

It was in the Ypres region (Belgium) that he met his death eight months later aged 39 whilst serving with the Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howard’s), and succumbed to wounds received at the front line. Sargent is buried at Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium.

His wife Emma, and their five children who lived at 8, Green End, Clayton were notified three weeks later. Emma was entitled to a war widows pension of £2.8s.7p.

Bland Family

The 1921 census shows the Bland family at 8 Green End Place, with Frank aged 19, Nancy 17, Lily 15, Rosie 13 and Colonel aged 7.

Emma Bland

Emma lived at the family home of 8 Green End Place in Clayton after the war until she is shown living at 22 The Avenue with her daughter and son in law Ernest Crerar. Emma died in 1936 aged 54.

Nancy Alice Bland

Nancy lived at 8 Green End Place with Emma. The 1921 census shows Nancy aged 17 working as a spinner in J Benn Worsted Mill on Station Road. The 1926 Electoral roll lists Ernest Crerar in also residing at 8 Green End Place. Ernest and Nancy were married on 2 April 1923 at The Baptist Chapel in Clayton and in 1931 are shown living at 22 The Avenue. The marriage record shows Nancy’s father; Sargent Bland is shown as deceased and his occupation as an Insurance Agent. The witnesses are an M J Bland, Joseph Crerar and Robert Thresher (?).

Frank Anderson Bland b 1903

It is presumed that the Bland children attended school and after the war took on work in the area. Frank now 19 in 1921 census his occupation is a Joiners apprentice for J Burniston, Joiner on Station Road.

Frank married Winifred Dixon Firth in January 1923. They had a daughter Muriel in December 1924 who sadly passed away in March 1924. The 1939 register shows Frank, Winifred, and a daughter Doreen aged 10 living at 115 Preston Old Road in Blackpool, Franks occupation is a Joiner. Franks father in law; Frank Firth aged 58 is also shown residing at this address.

Doreen went on to marry as her surname is overwritten as Crossley on her marriage in the 1939 census as this was used for issuing ration cards until rationing ended in 1951.

Frank passed away on 2nd January 1971 in Bradford. Winifred Bland passed away on 1st April 2000, aged 97 in Bradford . Their daughter, Doreen, appears to have moved to Oldham.

Lily Ida Bland 7 February 1905

Lily Ida Bland married Albert Edward Philips of 44 Agar Street Girlington on 6th April 1926 in Clayton Baptist Chapel. Alberts occupation is as a motor driver, a break from the textile trade. Lily’s father Sargent’s occupation is shown as an insurance agent. Alberts father Williams occupation is a Film Mounter, again not textile related as Bradfords industrial base broadened. The wedding was witnessed by Lily’s sister Rosie and Alberts brother Leslie.

Interestingly the 1921 census shows Albert, his brother Leslie both working as Cinematographers Clerks for Imperial Animated Picture Company in Thorpe Chambers, Hustlergate of which William is the proprietor. These would be silent films, ‘Talkies’ not being made until 1926. Perhaps that when Imperial Animated Pictures ceased to be and Albert found work as a Bakers salesman as he readied himself to marry Lily?

The 1939 census shows Albert and Lily Philips living at 16 Rosetta Drive in Four Lane Ends, a neat cul-de-sac of mid-wars semi detached houses, certainly a step up from the terraced streets of Girlington. Alberts occupation is a Bakers Salesman, his is also recorded as a volunteer in Auxiliary Fire Service.

Rosie Bland b 3rd February 1908

In 1921 census, Rosie aged 13 is working as a Doffer in J Benn Mill on Station Road and living at 8 Green End Place with the rest of the Bland Family.

Rosie, now 19, marries Fred Wilson, aged 22 on 4th June 1927 in St Johns Parish Church, a break from the Baptists Chapel the other Bland family were married. The certificate shows Rosie as a weaver and Fred as a dyer, like his father George Wilson.

Rosie may have married again to a Mr Whittaker in July 1949.

Colonel Heyward Bland b 7th April 1914

in 1939 aged 25 Colonel is shown living at 9 Thirlmere Drive in Clayton Heights. His occupation is a Carton and Box Packer. His wife Lillian Bland, aged 24 occupation is as a Wool Cheese Winder.

Colonel enlisted in WWII with East Yorks regiment, achieving rank of Corporal, he was discharged on 17th January 1946. His medal card shows he was awarded on 4th Feb 1983.

He died on 12th January 1988 at Ashmeadows Rest Home, Moorbottom, Cleckheaton. He left no more than £70,000.

From Bland family tree Colonel and Lillian had two children and have 4 grandchildren.