Enid Hoseason has submitted the following:
John Fenwick was born on the 23rd June 1900, he was one of 10 surviving siblings born to William Fenwick a painter and Dorothy Wilson Bowes. ( Dorothy had a son John Bowes born before her marriage to William Fenwick). In 1911 the family lived at Chapel passage at Old Elvet in Durham.
Before his enlistment, John was employed as a groom/ cartman. He was 5 feet 7 inches tall with a fresh complexion, hazel eyes and dark brown hair. His religion was Church of England.
John received his “Notice to Enlist” in August 1917 and was assigned to the Army Reserve. He was mobilised on the 15th July 1917 to the 53rd Y.S.(Young Soldiers) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, stationed at Rugeley Camp.
Whilst at camp he became ill and was discharged. His disability was not caused or aggravated by military service, and he did not serve with an expeditionary force. John was discharged as being medically unfit. ( He had valvular disease of the heart and suffered from shortness of breath and of anxiety attacks.)
John Fenwick was awarded a Silver War Badge No B118234
John’s brothers also served.
Private 4/9667 George Fenwick, 15th Battalion, D.L.I.was killed on the 1st July 1916, he is buried at Gordon Dump Cemetery, Ovillers-La Boisselle. (Plot 4; Row R; Grave 2)
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; Grave 11)
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 32570 Thomas H. Fenwick, served 14th, 2nd & 12th D.L.I.survived.
John re-enlisted with the 8th Durham Light Infantry, a Territorial Force, Regimental number 4438288 in July 1920 and attended an annual training camp, he was deemed fit to serve.
The 1939 register shows that he was living in Sunderland with his wife Hannah and their children.
John Fenwick is not remembered on a local memorial.
