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Henry (Harry) James Blamire was born on the 30th June 1899 in Glenridding. His father Isaac worked as a husbandman (a tenant farmer) at Tenterhow farm in Glenridding. He had married Harry’s mother Elizabeth Harrison in February 1899 whilst he was working as a carter and living at Tenterhow Farm. Harry was their first child, and was later joined by brothers Edward Isaac (in 1902) and Alfred Harrison (in 1908). Harry would have attended Patterdale School alongside contemporaries such as Benjamin Bell, Charles Flint and Edwin Pearson.
By 1911 the family had moved to Virginia Cottage in Glenridding, and Harry father Isaac was working at Greenside Mine as a Lead Miner. His father Jacob was also living with them, his mother Alice having died in 1906. Also living with them was Samuel Wynn, the grandfather of Thomas Wynn. Jacob died in 1912 and was buried alongside Alice in Patterdale Churchyard.
We have been unable to find any details of Harry’s time in the army although given his age it is likely that he joined up at the end of the war, probably in 1918 and we know from the Glenridding Village Hall Roll of Honour that he joined the Royal Field Artillery, serving as a Gunner. It is odd that we have found no medal index card for him or reference on the a medal roll, although there are other “Harry Blamires” listed, one of whom served in the Border Regiment.
Harry returned to Glenridding after the war and on the 18th May 1921 he married Elizabeth May Beaty. Elizabeth was the daughter of Isaac James Beaty who was a farmer at Caudale Beck in Hartsop. The newlyweds settled at Elizabeth’s family home at Caudale Beck where Harry worked as a farm labourer. Their first son, John Stanley, was born in August 1921. Their second son, Derek Henry, was born in 1933 and by then Harry was working as a shepherd. By 1935 they had moved to Gillside Farm in Glenridding, alongside Harry’s brother Alfred Harrison. When their third child, daughter Anne Elizabeth, was born in 1937 Harry and the family had moved to Braesteads farm where Harry worked as a shepherd and farmer. The family were still living at Braesteads at the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939.
Harry’ and Elizabeth May retired to Eagle Cottage in Glenridding where they lived until their deaths, Elizabeth May in 1983 aged 79 and Harry himself in May 1988 at the age of 88. Harry is remembered on the Glenridding Village Hall Roll of Honour alongside his cousins and school friends. Harry and Elizabeth’s eldest son John Stanley died in 1994, and son Derek, who became a farmer himself and lived at Ivy House, Grisedale Bridge, also died in 1994. Their daughter Anne Elizabeth married Brian Lewis on 1960 and she died in 1991.
In terms of the rest of Harry’s family his father Isaac died in 1950 at the age of 76 whilst living at Rattlebeck Cottage in Glenridding and his mother Elizabeth died in 1961 at the age of 84. At the time she was living with Harry’s brother Edward at 1 Hall Cottage in Glenridding. Edward himself initially lived at Crookabeck and married Edith Mary Storey in November 1925. Their first child Colin Storey was born in 1926 whilst they were living at Greenbank Farm. Edward and the family then moved to Grassthwaite How where he worked as a gardener and labourer on the Patterdale Hall Estate. It was here that their other children were born, Edith Mary in 1930, James Henry in 1931, and daughter Ruth Elizabeth in 1942 -
Harry’s younger brother Alfred Harrison also remained in the village. He married Margaret Sligh Geffrey and Alfred worked as a lead miner at Greenside. They lived at Gillside and then at 5 High Rake in Glenridding. Alfred and Margaret had four children , Muriel in 1933, Eric in 1936, Sheila in 1937 and Dennis in 1946.
We are grateful to the Blamire family for sharing the family photo of Harry with his parents and siblings with us. If you have any further information on Harry or his family please contact us.
Gunner Henry (Harry) James Blamire
Royal Field Artillery
Born 30th June 1899 Glenridding. Died May 1988 Aged 88 Eagle Cottage, Glenridding
Son of Isaac and Elizabeth (nee Harrison) Blamire, Tenterhow and Rattlebeck Cottage Glenridding
Husband of Elizabeth May Beaty, Caudale Beck. Father of John, Derek and Anne
Cousin of John Blamire and George Harrison
The Blamire family. From left: Harry in his uniform, younger brother Alfred, father Isaac, mother Elizabeth and brother Edward.
