Died aged 25. 21 April 1890 – 12 May 1915.
2nd Lieutenant in the Second Life Guards
Frank was born on the 21st April 1890 at 3 Upper Montague Street, St George Bloomsbury, son of Frank Blofeld (a colonial merchant) and Leslie Blanche (nee Perkins).
At the time of the 1891 census, 11-month-old baby Frank was living at 3 Upper Montague Street, St George Bloomsbury, London, Middlesex. He was living with his parents Frank (32, a Colonial Produce Merchant) and Leslie (23). The family had four servants – a parlour maid, a domestic cook, a housemaid and a nurse domestic.
In 1901, Frank’s parents Frank (42, a general colonial merchant) and (name different on this census) Ester Blanche (33) were living in Dunster Lodge, Dunster, with Frank’s 7-year-old sister Daphne (born St Pancras). Also living there were a visitor Alice Tudway, and six servants: butler, cook, two housemaids, a kitchen maid, and a Nursery Help Domestic. Frank was not with them – possibly he was away at boarding school.
When the 1911 census was taken, 20-year-old Frank was living at Coombe Cottage, Alcombe, Dunster, with his parents Frank (52, a colonial merchant (farm produce)) and Leslie Blanche (43). The family had three servants – a parlour maid, a cook, a housemaid and a parlour maid.
Frank enlisted in Staverton, Gloucestershire, and served as a Second Lieutenant in the 2nd Life Guards. Frank died at Ypres aged 25 on 12 May 1915.
From De Ruvigney’s Roll of Honour 1914-1919: “Educated at Eton, he had served three years with the Eton College Volunteers, but ill health prevented him from going on to the military College Sandhurst, and he spent several years in the Argentine, where he became interested in the breeding and schooling of polo ponies. He was living at Staverton when war broke out and immediately joined the Gloucestershire Yeomanry. On 9 Sept he was gazetted to the 3rd Reserve Regiment of Cavalry, and took up his duties at Canterbury. He was posted to the Household Cavalry on 24 Oct, and joined his regiment, the 2nd Life Guards, at Windsor. On 7 Nov he went to Flanders and served with his regiment in the trenches, and just before Christmas he came home on 72 hours leave. His second experience of the trenches was early in February, after which he obtained a week’s leave, but he was recalled in four days, and from then until his death, near Ypres, on 12 May, he was at the Front. He and four other officers were killed instantaneously by an explosive shell. He had won the liking of his brother officers and the confidence of his men. Mr Blofeld was fond of all sport and was a finished horseman and a most promising polo player. He was a member of the Cheltenham and West Somerset Polo Clubs, his handicap being 5 goals. He hunted with the Devon and Somerset Staghounds and the West Somerset Fox Hounds since early boyhood, and during the time he was at Staverton, with the Cotswold Hunt. He was greatly beloved by all who knew him and was a fine example of how quickly a good sportsman can become a good soldier. His Col. Wrote: “As a horsemaster he was invaluable to me, and the fact that he had been chosen for duty in which he met his death, proves that his Squadron leader relied on him.””
The History of Dunster Church and Priory: v. 2 by Joan Jordan: “The First World War; Memorials. During the period of the First World War (1914-1918), on the fourth day of July 1915, another notice was posted on the ‘Principle Door of the Church’ in respect of a memorial brass to the memory of Lieutenant D’Arcy Frank Blofeld, a 2nd Lieutenant in the Second Life Guards, who died at Ypres, Flanders, on 12 May 1915, aged 26. The vestry had approved the erection of this memorial on 22 June 1915. The estimated cost was £18, defrayed by Mr Francis Blofeld of Dunster Lodge, Alcombe. Lt Blofeld was born on 21 April 1890 and was the only son of Frank and Lesley Blofeld. A Mr Blofeld, presumably Frank Blofeld, was later a sidesman during the incumbency of the Rev. Reeder.”
IN PROUD AND LOVING MEMORY OF/ D’ARCY FRANK BLOFELD/ BORN 21ST APRIL 1890/ SEC. LIEUT 2ND LIFE GUARDS/ ONLY SON OF FRANK AND LESLIE BLOFELD/ OF DUNSTER LODGE/ WHO WAS KILLED IN ACTION AT YPRES, FLANDERS/ 12TH MAY 1915 IN THE 26TH YEAR OF HIS AGE/ DOMINO QUID REDDAM
Commemorated on Panel 3 of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial and on a personal plaque in St George’s Church in Dunster, Somerset.
You can see a photo of Frank and his inscription on the Menin Gate on the Find A Grave website.
