Thiepval Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
William Fenny was born 1898 at Stillington, County Durham, one of 6 children, of whom only 5 survived, 3 sons and 2 daughters, he was the youngest. His father James Fenny native of Stockton born 1862 married Hannah Dudley born in Scotland in 1861 at Stockton in 1882. In 1891 they were living at 24, West Street, Whitton, with John (10), Edwin (8) and Annie (4), James supported his family working for Carlton Iron Works. His elder sons did not follow in his footsteps John at the age of 20 was training to be a teacher, Edwin, 18, was an apprentice grocer and by 1911 fully qualified and employed. William’s elder brother John had left home by 1911, supporting the family who were still living at West Street, fell to Edwin and his father as William was only 12 years old, Ada (16) assisted her mother at home. Hannah Fenny nee Dudley died later that year during the 4th quarter (Oct/Nov/Dec) 1911, aged 50 years.
On the outbreak of war William was too young to enlist and also well below the age to serve overseas which was 19 years of age. He enlisted at Stillington April 15th 1915, assigned as Private 3525 Durham Light Infantry to the 1st/5th Reserve Battalion 2nd Line Unit, later transferred to the 21st Reserve Battalion November 22nd 1915 and to the 25th Reserve Battalion January 21st 1916. Posted as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France he departed with his Regiment September 29th 1916 from Folkestone landing at Boulogne. The new recruits concentrated at the 35th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples where Private Fenny was transferred to the 1st/9th Battalion October 11th 1916 with a change of service number to 7099.
The 1st/9th Battalion attached to the 151st Brigade, 50th Northumbrian Division had arrived on the Somme from the trenches of the Ypres salient in Belgium, August 1916. He joined them during the attacks towards the Starfish Line north of High Wood and the Flers Line at L’Abbaye before they went on to attack at the Butte de Warlencourt, November 5th 1916.
At the conclusion of the attack of November 5th Private Fenny was reported as missing and his next of kin informed. After an investigation over the following months as to his whereabouts he was officially struck off and declared as presumed to be dead.
Private 7099 William Fenny Durham Light Infantry is deemed to have died on or since November 5th 1916. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 72,296 names inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France, commemorating servicemen from the Commonwealth and South Africa who were killed on the Somme 1915-1918 and who have no known grave. He was 19 years old and single.
His father James received all monies due to him and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to him at his home address of 9, Emily Street, Stockton, County Durham. James Fenny died in 1947 aged 85 years, registered in the district of Durham South Western.
It should be noted that Private Kenny’s Military Record and the Register of Soldiers Effects states he was serving with the 1st/9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry at the time of his demise whereas the CWGC have him listed as 1st/5th which was his Reserve Battalion.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
William Fenny is remembered at Stillington on S137.01 and S137.02 and at Stockton on S138.35 and S138.18a
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 307
