Name
John Fenemore (MM)
16 Apr 1894
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
15/07/1916
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Serjeant
8764
Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
64th Bde.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Military Medal
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CATERPILLAR VALLEY CEMETERY, LONGUEVAL
X. F. 34.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Tring Town Memorial, St Peter & St Paul Church Roll of Honour, Tring
Pre War
John Fenemore was born in Tring on 16 Apr 1894 (baptised 26 Aug 1894 in Tring) to Thomas Fenemore and Mary (nee Carter). His parents had been married on 29 Dec 1886 in Tring.
On the 1891 Census the family of parents, Emily A (born 1888), William (born 1889), Elizabeth (born 1890) were living at 4, Duckmore Lane, Tring.
On the 1901 Census the family of parents, William, Elizabeth, John and Susan (born 1900) were living at 23, King Street, Tring.
On the 1911 Census John, a cowman on farm, was living with his father Thomas (tree feller on estate), William (brewers drayman, Elizabeth (housekeeper), Susan, Henry Alfred (born 1903) and adopted daughter Bertha (born 1909) at 11 Langdon Street, Tring.
Wartime Service
John volunteered as Private 4722 in the East Surrey Regiment, no Service record was found for John, but he is believed to have enlisted soon after the Outbreak of the Great War. He was promoted to the Rank of Sergeant and was recorded as a Musketry Instructor. He transferred to the Machine Gun Corps and went to France with 64 Company MGC as join 21 Division in Mar 1916. Their first engagement was the The Battle of Albert (1-13 Jul 1916) and Bazentin Ridge (14-17 Jul 1916). John was killed in action on 15 Jul 1916. He was awarded his Military Medal for his actions on that day.
From the Bucks Herald, 19th August 1916: “Sergeant John Fenemore, of the Machine Gun Corps, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Fenemore, of Gamnel-terrace, is reported to have been killed in action on July 15. No particulars are yet to hand.
Fenemore joined the East Surrey Regiment at the outbreak of war, and rapidly rose to the rank of sergeant. He was transferred to the Machine Gun Corps, and sent to the Hythe School of Musketry for a course of instruction. He passed through the course with distinction, and was sent to Grantham as musketry instructor. In February last he was drafted to France. ‘Jack’ Fenemore was a bright boy, and is well remembered in Tring; he was long a keen and enthusiastic member of the Church Lads’ Brigade.”
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £11 10s and arrears of £13 2s 3d was paid to his father, Thomas.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
