In Perth Cemetery (China Wall), West Vlaanderen, Belgium is the Commonwealth War Grave of 2472 Private Walter Fenwick, serving with the 1st/8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry who died 26/04/1915.
He was the son of Dorothy Fenwick, of 47, New Elvet, Durham, and the late William Fenwick.
Enid Hoseason has submitted the following:-
Born in the first quarter 1895, Walter Fenwick was one of 10 surviving siblings born to William Fenwick a painter and his wife Dorothy Wilson Bowes. ( Dorothy had given birth to a son John Bowes before her marriage see 1891 census)
In 1911 Walter lived with his parents and six siblings at Chapel Passage, Old Elvet, Durham City he was employed as a Miner/ Driver in the pit.
There are no service records for Walter, The medal card shows that he entered France with the battalion on the 19th April 1915
On arriving in France, the 1/8th Battalion were immediately in action at the Battle of Gravenstafel Ridge, Ypres Salient.
Walter Fenwick was Killed in Action on the 26th April 1915, He had been in France for 7 days.
Walter had an amount of £2 10 shillings 5 pence in his account, to this was added £3 War Gratuity. Walter had left a will, His mother Dorothy received £4 12 shillings 5 pence, John Bowes (his half brother) received eleven shillings and two shares went to William Anderson and his sister in law, Alice Fenwick ( married to brother Arthur)
His mother Dorothy was awarded a pension of 14 shillings 6 pence in respect of both sons having died. This amount was paid for life. (sons, Walter and George, Arthur was married to Alice Lamb she would have her own army pension)
Walter Fenwick was awarded the 1915 Star, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.
Walter’s brothers who also served:
Private 24/1317 Arthur Fenwick, 24th (Tyneside Irish) Bn, Northumberland Fusiliers was killed on the 1st July 1916. He is also buried at Gordon Dump Cemetery, Ovillers-La Boisselle. ( Plot 11 Row H 11)
Private 4/9667 George Fenwick, 15th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was killed on the same day as Arthur, He is also buried at Gordon Dump Cemetery, Ovillers-La Boisselle. (Plot 4; Row R; Grave 2)
Private Frederick Fenwick, 8/776. Durham Light Infantry survived.
Private 172883 John Fenwick, 53rd (YS) Battalion, TR, D.L.I. did not serve abroad, survived, Silver War badge Holder
Private 32570 Thomas H Fenwick 14th, 2nd & 12th D.L.I., survived, in 1920 joined 8th D.L.I. TT, served for three years.
Walter Fenwick is remembered at Durham City on D47.050, D47.054, and D47.125, in the D.L.I. Book of Remembrance page 99 and in the Battalion History page 245.
