Leeds Mercury Tuesday 8th May 1900

Leeds Mercury Tuesday 8th May 1900

James Fenton was born at Leeds on the 7th January 1871, the second son of James Fenton, a plasterer, and his wife Elizabeth, (who was aged 76 in 1919), daughter of John Barker of Leeds. They resided at 29 Industrial Terrace, Beckett Street, Leeds.

James was educated at a Leeds Public school, he enlisted on the 26th October 1889, and served in India and throughout the South African War 1899-1902. (King' and Queen's Medal, South African Medal with three clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal). He was in the 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and had the rank of Sergeant service no 2560. At some stage of the campaign he was seriously ill, as Lord Roberts via the War Office printed a list in the Leeds Mercury of all the casualties also the wounded and ill, his name was amongst them.

He was married in Leeds on the 1st June 1908 to Mary (40 Compton Crescent, Harchills, Leeds), daughter of Samuel Ellett.

He retired on a pension. On the outbreak of the Great War he immediately re-enlisted on the 4th September 1914, and was placed into the 3rd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers with a service number of 8892. Then transferred to the 15th Battalion and was promoted to Company Sergeant Major on the 6th November 1914. On 13th August he was further promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major. He was then sent to Rugeley Camp, where he was in the Training Reserve Battalion No 2. James died in the Military Hospital, of heart strain on the 25th June 1917. Buried at Leeds.

James Fenton is remembered at Alnwick in A11.43 page 44

The Anglo Boer War site
The CWGC entry for Regimental Sergeant-Major Fenton