Name
John De Winton Kenyon
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
16/05/1915
18
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Second Lieutenant
The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
4th Bn., attached 1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LE TOURET MEMORIAL
Panels 6 to 8.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Hitchin memorials
Pre War
Son of the late Ernest Kenyon of Manchester Drysalter and Eliza Gertrude, of 14 Farnborough Road, Birkdale, Southport. Born 13th September 1896 in Birkdale, Lancashire, educated at Giggleswade School, Yorkshire, where he was in the first Rugby Football XV and the Cricket XI for two-years. He was co-editor of the School Chronicle and a cadet officer of the O.T.C.
In 1901 the family were living at 37 Trafalgar Road, Birkdale Lancashire. Present were both parents: Ernest (41) and Eliza (31), with Ernest a chemical merchant and employer. Their children were: Ernest C (5) and John De Wenton (4). Also present were visitor, Wilhemenia Maris (59) and servants: Annie Morgan (21) and Louie Bedwell (25),
In 1911 John was 14 and a pupil at Giggleswade School, Yorkshire.
Wartime Service
He was commissioned 2nd Lieu in the 4th (Extra Reserve) Bn.. The Kings on the 15th August 1914. He was transferred to the 1st Bn.. 13th September 1914 and went to France pn the 9th April 1914(sic – should be 1915).
The 2nd Division had moved to the Givenchy sector immediately prior to his death. The British assault had started at 11.30pm on the 15th May 1915 and was a furious and successful attack on the German trenches, though huge casualties were sustained from shells and machine-gun fire. It was reported that the Division had stormed the German 1st and 2nd lines of trenches with great determination.
He was killed in action at Richebourg St. Vaast while engaged in locating the source of heavy rifle fire. Lieut-Col. C J Steavenson commanding the 1st King’s Liverpools “He had only been with us a few days, but had shown that, had he been spared, he would have made an excellent officer.”. His headmaster wrote “Only last Sept. I was looking to have Jack here as Head of School, and feeling the greatest confidence that now all would go well with us, and that we should have a strong and upright leader. Of all the boys I have had in my five years here, his has been the character that interested me most and given me the most pleasure. And I looked forward to a life of infinite usefulness for him. Now it is over, but I am sure that his usefulness has been exerted, his strength of character has justified itself, and his example has been an inspiration.”
Additional Information
His mother, E. G. Kenyon (now Hunt) later lived at 9, Walsworth Rd., Hitchin, Herts. and it may be that John had no direct connection to Hitchin.
Acknowledgments
David C Baines, Jonty Wild
