In Gordon Dump Cemetery, Ovillers La Boisselle, Somme, France is the Commonwealth War Grave of 4/9667 Private George Fenwick, serving with the 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry who died 01/07/1916.
He was the son of Mrs. D. Fenwick, of 46, New Elvet, Durham.
An additional inscription on his military headstone reads:
EVER REMEMBERED BY HIS LOVING MOTHER BROTHERS AND SISTERS THY WILL BE DONE
Enid Hoseason has submitted the following:-
George Fenwick was born in 1882 in Durham. His parents were William a painter and his wife Dorothy Wilson Bowes. George was one of 10 surviving children. In 1911, George together with his parents and six siblings resided in a three roomed house in Chapel Passage, Old Elvet, Durham. George was employed as a labourer.
In September 1914 when he was 34 years old, George received his Notice to Enlist and was assigned to the 4th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. He was 5 feet 9 inches tall with grey eyes and light brown hair, his religion was Church of England.
While stationed at Forest Hall, George had several entries on his conduct sheet, mostly being absent from tattoo, his punishment was either being admonished, forfeiting pay and being confined to barracks. In one instance in June 1915, he was apprehended by the civil police and given 168 hours detention. A further occurrence happened in December 1915, when he surrendered himself to the civil police in Gateshead. When stationed at Dawdon in January 1916 again he was absent when under orders for embarkation.
Just before he embarked on the 26th January 1916, George was transferred to the 15th Battalion, D.L.I.
From January 1916 until the end of June 1916, The 15th Battalion were either fighting in the trenches, in reserve, in training or at rest.
From The Somme by Gerald Gliddon
The Battle of the Somme began on July 1st 1916 after a seven day Allied bombardment. Fourteen British Divisions climbed out of their trenches on an 18 mile front to the north of the River Somme and advanced slowly on the strongly held German positions. By the end of the day the advance had failed almost everywhere except for small gains at the southern end of the battlefield.
George Fenwick was one of those soldiers who did not survive.
Private 4/9667 George Fenwick was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.
When he died, he had £2 17 shillings and 6 pencein his account. To this was added £8 War Gratuity and paid to his mother Dorothy.
To have the epitaph on his grave, the War office charged his mother an amount of 3½ pence per letter, this equated to 62 letters which amounted to eighteen shillings and one pence.
In April 1921, the Army wrote to his mother Dorothy informing her that George’s remains were exhumed and reburied at the Gordon Dump Cemetery. The removal was undertaken with every measure of care and reverence and the re-interment conducted by an Army Chaplain.
George’s brothers also served during WW1.
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.
Private 2472 Walter Fenwick 1/8th Battalion, D.L.I. was killed on the 26th April 1915, He is Remembered with Honour, Perth Cemetery (China Wall)
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.
George Fenwick is remembered at Durham City on D47.050, D47.054, and D47.125 and in the D.L.I. Book of Remembrance page 168.
