Infantryman Lance Corporal Percy Blinman of the 1/6 Gloucestershire Regiment lost his life in WW1 at The Somme on 23rd July 1916, aged 27 years. He lies interned in Pozieres British Cemetery, Ovillers-La Boisselle, in France. The year before he was killed, Percy became a member of Connaught Freemasons Lodge in Midsomer Norton, joining his father and uncle, Harry Thomas Blinman, and Francis Kingston Blinman, both of whom were Past Masters of the Lodge.

The Connaught Brethren are planning to honour Brother Percy with a memorial to his memory at the Masonic Hall in Redfield Road, and as such, are eager to trace any living relatives to join them for the unveiling. There are records of the Blinman family being prominent farmers in the Farrington Gurney area, but unfortunately we have no further knowledge of them.

Therefore, if a relative of Percy Blinman, or anyone knowing of the Blinman family would please contact Chris James, Connaught Lodge Communications Officer on: 07768 778169 or email to: [email protected]