Private William Fensome

Rank or Title

Date of Birth

7 Oct 1888

Date of Death

20 Sep 1916

War time / or Pre War occupation

Builders' labourer

Employer

Pickering and Linger

Service Number

21426

Place of Birth

Luton
United Kingdom

World War I Address

104 Chapel Street
Luton
United Kingdom

Place of Death

France

Grave Location

Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension
France

War Memorial Location

Soldier or Civilian

  • Soldier

Source

The Luton News , 5th October 1916
Pte William Fensome

 

Pte William Fensome, 21426, 12th Battalion Suffolk Regiment, died at a casualty clearing station in France on September 20th, 1916, from wounds sustained on the battlefield the previous day.

The Battalion was a 'Bantam' unit to which William was able to join in September 1915 after failing a height test to enlist in other regiments earlier. He was therefore below the regulation 5ft 3in in height.

William would have celebrated his 29th birthday on October 7th. His birthday present from wife Alice Matilda (nee Field) and their young daughter was on its way to him when the news of his death arrived at their home at 104 Chapel Street, Luton. His widow was told by Sister Lugard at the clearing station that her husband, who had been in France for four months, had died smiling and had been buried "out there".

Before enlistment, William had worked as a labourer for builders Messrs Pickering and Linger in Luton for 11 years.

Alice remarried in 1920.

 

Individual Location

Pte William Fensome

Author: Deejaya

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