Part 69

=FAWLEY, FRANCIS HENRY BUCKLEY=, Private, No. 1862, Honourable Artillery Company, _s._ of Henry John Buckley Fawley, of 35, Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Stoke Newington, N., Journalist, by his wife, Emily, dau. of the late James (and Eliza) Smith, of Lordship Lane, Wood Green, N., formerly of Sittingbourne, Kent; _b._ Harringay, London, 16 Aug. 1895; educ. Finsbury Park College, London, was on the clerical staff of the Metropolitan Electric Tramways Company; joined the H.A.C. after the outbreak of the war in the beginning of Sept. 1914, went to France, 23 Jan. 1915, and was killed in action near Ypres, 15 May, 1915. He was buried in the grounds of the Chateau of Elzenwalle, near Voormezeele; _unm._ His Sergt. wrote: “He was killed on the night of the 15th inst. He lived for some hours after he was struck, and was quite conscious when I last saw him.... His pluck was wonderful; he knew he was mortally wounded yet possessed himself like the gentleman and man he was; never giving a sign of any pain--his main concern being for the safety of his comrades.... We all liked him and shall miss him greatly.”

=FAY, WALTER EDWARD=, Rifleman, No. 2407, 18th Battn. (London Irish Rifles) The London Regt. (T.F.), _s._ of the late James Charles Fay (died 13 Nov. 1915), by his wife, (--) (79, Limerstone Road, King’s Road, Chelsea, S.W.); _b._ Fulham, S.W., 24 July, 1894; educ. St. Mark’s College, Chelsea; enlisted after the outbreak of war 2 Sept. 1914, and died of wounds received in action at the Battle of Loos, 27 Sept. 1915; _unm._

=FEATHERSTONE, ALFRED CHARLES=, Rifleman, No. 2472, 1/8th (Leeds Rifles) Battn. West Yorkshire Regt. (T.F.), eldest _s._ of Alfred Charles Featherstone, of West Normans, Park Avenue, Castleford, by his wife, Jane Harriet, dau. of Alfred Watson, of East Hardwicks, Yorks; b. Castleford, co. York, 30 April, 1891; educ. King’s School, Pontefract; entered the employ of the London City and Midland Bank at Morley, Yorkshire, when 16, and at the outbreak of the war was holding the post of Assistant Cashier. He enlisted 21 Sept. 1914; sailed for France, 15 April, 1915, and was killed in action at Neuve Chapelle, 12 May, 1915, and was buried in Rue de Bacquerot, France; _unm._ His officer wrote: “He was one of the most popular men in the company, and we all feel his loss very keenly.”

=FEATHERSTONE, CECIL FREDERICK=, Lieut., 3rd, attached 2nd, Battn. East Surrey Regt., eldest _s._ of Frederick Featherstone, of Mount Pleasant, Plough Lane, Purley, member of London Stock Exchange, by his wife, Minnie Elizabeth, dau. of Thomas W. Dean; _b._ Lewisham, 13 Feb. 1897; educ. Holmwood, Bexhill-on-Sea (1906–1910), where in 1907 he joined the School Cadet Corps, which was affiliated with the 2nd Home Counties Royal Engineers (T.F.). In 1911 he went to Dover College, where he won prizes in English, Latin, and other subjects, and joined the O.T.C., in which he had reached the rank of Sergt., when gazetted 2nd Lieut. to the 3rd (Special Reserve) Battn. of the East Surreys, 16 Dec. 1914. Joining his regt in Jan. he left for France on 20 March, 1915, was attached for a while to C Coy. 1st Battn. Dorsetshire Regt., and later transferred for duty to the 2nd Battn. East Surrey Regt., being confirmed in his rank as 2nd Lieut. 9 April, 1915. He was killed in action, being shot through the heart while bravely leading his men in the repulse of the German attack on the British trenches near Ypres, 25 April, 1915. He was buried in the Officer’s Graveyard, 1½ miles east of Zonnebeke; unm. Sergt. Buckingham, of the East Surreys, gave the following graphic account of the incidents from 17 to 27 April: “Our headquarters were at Zonnebeke, near Ypres. About 3 p.m. on the 17th an order was given to pack up and move. There was some heavy shelling at the time, and it took about one hour to get everything on to the transport. We were then given another 150 rounds ammunition to carry and about 4.30 the order to move was given. We took a road to the left of Ypres. Our company officer, Capt. Fuller, was sick, so he was not with us, but Lieut. Rottman took charge. We had only three officers--Lieuts. Rottman, Featherstone and Ward--and we reached our destination, about a mile from Langemark, about 7 p.m. We were then under heavy shell fire. A, B and C Companies were put into position and we were to be the supports. We were in position all that night, but nothing happened. As it was getting daylight we retired a bit further back--this was the 18th--but had to stand to nearly all day as there was heavy rifle fire and shells. About 5 p.m. we pushed forward, going through the Canadians and some French infantry who had been pushed back, and we had to retake their trenches, which we did without much trouble. The French were made secure and got their trenches, and we took the Canadian’s and had orders to stop in them. We worked all night repairing the breastworks with sandbags, the officers and sergts. relieving one another for a rest. At dawn on the 19th the enemy started with their trench mortars, which were dropping just in rear of our trenches. We were expecting a big shelling then, but they must have been laying their guns or had brought more up for we were only getting a shell here and there and were pretty quiet and remained so until the afternoon of the 20th. From the 17th to the 20th we had no casualties amongst the officers and not many men. On the afternoon of the 20th the bombardment started, but they did not have a good range that day. At night the Middlesex brought our rations up and a working party, who made us a bit stronger. They left us about 3 a.m. on the 21st. Toward dawn we were bombarded again, this time a little closer. As it got lighter we saw about half a dozen German aeroplanes coming towards our trenches, they flew up and down dropping smoke bombs, and the shells were dropping all round us, so we had to lay close up to the parapets. Here we stayed all day, this night--21st, or rather early 22nd--no rations could be brought to us and no working party, so we dug ourselves right in as messages came that we were to hold on at all cost. We still had all our officers. As day dawned it was a bit quiet. That night we had our rations and hot soup brought up and were told we were going to be relieved the next night, 23rd. On the morning of the 23rd it was still quiet, but about 3 p.m. they started something terrible, only taking our regiment. They were then using gas shells and breaking our parapets and shelling the roads. Again a message came to hold on and that we would not be relieved, we then lost a few men. This lasted all day. On the early morning of the 24th Lieut. Fardell was killed, and gas was used all day. Lieut. Featherstone got some handkerchiefs and soaked them with water and handed them around and we lost about 40 men that day. As night came on, I think it was about 2 a.m. on the 25th. Mr. Featherstone, who was then taking his rest, came, and he looked very upset, and said to me: ‘Poor Mr. Rottman is killed.’ I said: ‘I am very sorry to hear that,’ and went and had a look at him. I came back and he was still standing, and I and Sergt. Lower said: ‘Why don’t you go and finish your rest, we will come and let you know if anything is wrong.’ So he went, but he did not stop long as it was getting on time to stand to arms, so we stood, and when it was light they sent shells in front of our trench and smashed the barbed wire, therefore we knew that they were going to attack, and while we were getting ready a shell struck the parapet, and me and Mr. Featherstone had the sandbags over us. We got out of that and laughed at one another. As it went on the parapets were being blown to bits, so an order came to get the men to the right and at some parts we had to crawl. Sergt. Lower led the way and Mr. Featherstone and I saw every man safe. It was while we were crawling past a gap in the parapet a piece of shell struck me, I did not stop, but he saw I was hit and said: ‘Are you all right? I said: ‘Yes, come on.’ We got past the gap and he said: ‘Where are you hit?’ I thought it was my arm and dropped my rifle. He picked it up and said: ‘We must get out of this,’ and we went on a bit and found we were in the Northumberlands and stayed there, and then the enemy were in our trenches. I had had my shoulder dressed and the order to spread out came. I then saw Mr Featherstone had lost his hat and getting close up to him I said, ‘the supports are driving them out so they were all shouting hurrah.’ Mr. Featherstone was then firing out of my rifle and I gave him another clip. I then saw him go up a little way further and fall. He was struck by a bullet and we sent for the stretcher bearers. He was then dead.” The Adjutant of his Battn. wrote to his father: “Like all our young officers he carried out his duty to the end and by his example the men remained steadfast and the trenches were held in spite of poisonous gases and rifle and shell fire. We have been so fortunate in having such good officers that the battn. has earned special praise from all, and General French thanked us yesterday for the work of 25 April, during which your son fell”; and a subaltern: “2nd Lieut. Featherstone was killed during the German attack on 25 April under circumstances which proved him a very brave officer. The enemy having got all round us our men were firing in all directions, generally at no particular object as often happens in times of excitement. It was in trying to stop the men wasting their munitions that Lieut. Featherstone was twice wounded. He still continued, however, to calm his men till he was shot in the heart by a stray bullet.” While at Holmwood School, Lieut. Featherstone was a sapper and shot in the School XI, winning the Sheffield Trophy on outdoor competition, at 200 and 500 yards with the service rifle; he also shot in the team for the Holman Cup, an indoor competition at 20 yards. At Dover College he was in the 1st Football XI, as well as playing cricket; and shot for his school at Bisley in 1913 in the Cadet pairs, likewise in the Team of the Ashburton Shield in 1914. Lieut. Featherstone was promoted Lieut. subsequent to his death.

=FEE, SAMUEL=, Stoker, 1st Class (R.F.R., B. 7543), S.S. 102801, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914; _m._

=FEE, SAMUEL=, Corpl., No. 12808, 10th (Service) Battn. Highland L.I., 3rd _s._ of Robert Fee, of 33, Muslin Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow, Slater’s Labourer, by his wife, Lily, dau. of (--) Arnell; _b._ Bridgeton, Glasgow, 19 June, 1892; educ. Hozier Street Public School there; was a Miner, Old Farm Colliery, Rutherglen; enlisted 17 Aug. 1914; went to France in May, 1915, and was killed in front of the parapet during the advance at Loos, 25 Sept. 1915; _unm._ The Coy. Sergt.-Major wrote that “he was a good soldier and N.C.O.”

=FEE, WILLIAM JOHN=, Bugler. R.M.A., 11537, H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=FEENEY, THOMAS=, Leading Signaller, 220726, H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=FEGAN, WILLIAM PATRICK=, Sergt., No. 26519, 14th Battn. (Royal Montreal), Canadian Expeditionary Force, yst. _s._ of Francis Fegan, of Waggarandall, near Melbourne, Australia, Landowner, by his wife, Mary, dau. of (--) Homer; _b._ Major Plains, Melbourne, 29 Jan. 1877, and was educ. at Dookie College, near Melbourne. He was surveying in South Africa when the Boer War began; he immediately joined the Victorians, and served through that campaign, 1899–1902, being wounded twice and receiving the Queen’s and King’s medals. He then became an expert for the International Co., of Buenos Ayres, and went round the world eight times for them, and after some seven years at Buenos Ayres went to Canada where he was in Aug. 1914, when the European War was declared. He at once volunteered; enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force; came over with the first contingent in Oct. 1914; went to France Feb. 1915, and was killed in action near Wulverghem, 27 Nov. 1915. His company officer, Capt. Whitehead, wrote: “Your husband was one of the finest men I ever met, and one of my most reliable N.C.O.’s, and his loss will be felt very heavily: he was killed almost instantly, the bullet entering the base of the neck, and passing through the body”; and Lieut. Gordon Leighton: “I can bear a few words of testimony of his courage and worth, having been associated with him since his arrival in France. He was a brave and soldierly man. He had been through some very trying times with us, but never lost his coolness and courage in the face of the gravest danger and difficult situations. Moreover he had voluntarily undertaken work he knew was of a dangerous character. I personally, and I think all the officers of the company, regret exceedingly the loss of Sergt. Fegan, as we feel we have lost a man who was far above the average and whose soldierly worth was invaluable.” He _m._ at St. Brigid’s Roman Catholic Church, Fitzroy, Melbourne, 10 June, 1911, Kathleen, sister of Private Arthur Moore, 5th Battn. Australian Imperial Force, who died of wounds received in action at the Dardanelles, 29 Feb. 1916 (see his notice), and dau. of Henry Albert Moore, of Park House, Whatley, near Frome, Somerset, and had two children: William Ernest Patrick, _b._ 10 Jan. 1913; and Kathleen Joan Florence, _b._ 5 Oct. 1915.

=FEILDEN, GRANVILLE JOHN HENRY=, 2nd Lieut., 2nd Battn. Seaforth Highlanders, only _s._ of Major Granville Cholmondeley Feilden, D.S.O., late Seaforth Highlanders, now commanding the London Division of the Corps of Commissionaires (who served through the South African War, wounded at Paardeberg, 18 Feb. 1900, Queen’s medal three clasps, King’s medal two clasps), and his wife, Edith Margaret, 2nd dau. of the late Sir Henry Cockburn MacAndrew, of Aisthorpe, Inverness; _b._ Drummuie House, Golspie, co. Sutherland, 27 Aug. 1895; educ. the New Beacon, Sevenoaks, Wellington College (“Blucher”), and Sandhurst (Prize Cadet) and on passing out from the last was gazetted 2nd Lieut. to the 2nd Seaforth Highlanders, 12 Aug. 1914, and was ordered to join the 3rd Battn. at Cromarty on the 25 Aug. On 12 Sept. he went to France with a draft joining the 2nd Battn. on the Aisne. He moved from there with the 4th Division in the middle of Oct. to the Belgian frontier, and took part in the severe fighting around Frehlingham and Messines during the end of October and beginning of November, and spent five months with his regt. in the trenches near Messines. He came home on a week’s leave in Feb., returning to his regt. on the 10th of that month, and was killed in action on Sunday, 25 April, 1915, during the attack on St. Julien, in the second Battle of Ypres. His C.O. wrote: “You know how your son was loved by us all, he was so brave, so gallant, so cheery, and beloved by his men.... On the morning of 25 April I reached the right of the line about 9 a.m., and was close to your son when he was killed.... We have lost many gallant officers, but none more gallant than your son”; and the second in Command: “We advanced at dawn on Sunday, 25 April. The old Corps were as steady as ever.... our losses were very severe. Your son was killed instantaneously while doing his duty most well and gallantly.... We were all so fond of him, he was an absolutely first-class officer with any amount of initiative and ‘go’.” A fellow subaltern also wrote: “I was with John most of the night of the 24th and 25th, and he was very cheery then and full of spirits. I did not see him in the actual attack until we were about 40 yards from the German trenches, when he helped me to straighten out the company behind a defensive position. I was hit then, so did not see him again.” He was buried at Burnt Farm on the left of the St. Jean-St. Julien Road, with four of his brother officers, including the Capt. of his company.

=FELLOWES. ARTHUR ROSS=, Private, No. 6/226, 12th Nelson Regt., Canterbury Battn., New Zealand Expeditionary Force, _s._ of Robert Ross Fellowes, of Stoke, Nelson, New Zealand; _b._ Takaku, Nelson, 14 Sept. 18..; educ. at Wakefield, Nelson; volunteered on the outbreak of war, leaving home to join up 12 Aug. 1914; left for Egypt with the Main Force in Oct., took part in the repulse of the Turkish attack on the Suez Canal in Feb. 1915, and in the landing at the Dardanelles, 25 April, and was killed in action near Gabe Tepe, between 25 April and 1 May, 1915, being shot by a sniper; _unm._ As a school cadet and in Egypt he proved himself a remarkably good shot, winning several prizes. He was the first Wakefield man to fall in action.

=FELLOWES, WILLIAM JOHN=, Sick Berth Steward, 350884, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914; _m._

=FELTHAM, ARTHUR=, Signalman, J. 14117, H.M.S. Pathfinder; lost when that ship was sunk by a mine, about 20 miles off the East Coast, 5 Sept. 1914.

=FENDLEY, JOHN ROBERT=, Leading Stoker (R.F.R., B. 5634), 284849, H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=FENERAN, FRANK EDWARD=, Capt., 1st Battn. King’s Liverpool Regt., 2nd _s._ of the late Lieut.-Col. Edward Feneran, 1st Northamptonshire Regt, (who served in the Crimea), by his wife, Caroline Elizabeth, dau. of the late Charles Herring-Cooper, and gdson. of Col. Francis Feneran, Derbyshire Regt. (who served at Waterloo); _b._ Kensington, 23 April, 1881; educ. privately and at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; gazetted to the King’s Liverpool Regt., 12 Aug. 1899, and was promoted Lieut. 21 July, 1900, and Capt. 18 Sept. 1909. From April 1904 to April 1907, he was Ordnance Officer (4th class) and in 1911 was appointed Adjutant to the Special Reserve. He passed the school of signalling and in 1914 the examination for the Staff College. On the outbreak of the European War, he went to France with his regiment, Aug. 1914, and was killed in action at Neuve Chapelle, 10 Mar. 1915, while leading his men; _unm._ A brother officer, writing to Lord Derby, graphically described the heroism of the Liverpool Regt. at Neuve Chapelle, stating A Coy. was commanded by Capt. Feneran, who was killed leading his men, adding that he was a very sad loss indeed to the Regt. in which he had spent his life, but that his was a gallant end. Capt. Feneran was mentioned in F.M. Sir John (now Lord) French’s Despatch of 31 May [London Gazette, 22 June], 1915.

=FENN, DAVID=, Private, 10906, 1st Battn. Coldstream Guards, _s._ of Harry Fenn, of 36, Leader Road, Hillsboro’, Sheffield; _b._ co. York; served with the Expeditionary Force in France, etc.; killed in action at Richebourg, 2 April, 1915. Buried Rue des Berreaux, Bethune.

=FENNELL, JOHN=, Chief Petty Officer (R.F.R., A. 907), 121737, H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=FENNESY, RICHARD=, Private, R.M.L.I. (R.F.R., B. 603), H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914].

=FENWICK, BASIL MIDDLETON=, Sergt., No. 109, A Squadron, 10th West Australian Light Horse, only _s._ of Charles Richard Fenwick, of Ben Rhydding, Yorks, and 26, Park Row, Leeds, M. Inst. C.E., F.S.I., by his wife, Margaret, dau. of William Middleton, Solicitor; _b._ Pool, co. York, 3 Sept. 1885; educ. Haileybury College; went to West Australia in 1909 to the Murchison Goldfield; volunteered on the outbreak of War in Aug. 1914, and joined the Commonwealth Expeditionary Force; left for Egypt in Feb. 1915, went to the Dardanelles; volunteered for special duty on 30 May, 1915, in the counter attack at Quinn’s Post, was there wounded and invalided into Hospital at Alexandria, being mentioned by his C.O., Maj. Thomas J. Todd, in his report; was promoted Sergt. June or July; returned to duty at Anzac in Aug. and was killed in action there a few days later, 7 Aug. 1915, on Russell’s Top, in the attack on the Turkish position at Walker’s Ridge. In this terrible charge some 700 men were killed in the course of a few minutes. Major Todd wrote, 22 Oct. 1915: “It may be a consolation to know that your son was specially mentioned for conspicuous bravery and I had him picked out for a commission, he was indeed a fine soldier.” Sergt. Arundel in hospital told a friend: “Sergt. Fenwick was one of the bravest, finest men on the Peninsula, a born soldier--a hero--he first distinguished himself at Quinn’s Post, bomb throwing in the most extraordinary brave way. He picked up and returned live bombs thrown by the Turks.” Trooper Sydney G. E. Robson wrote, 2 Oct. 1915: “In the charge at Quinn’s Post (30 May) we were side by side. Here your son showed great courage, he was first over the parapet, his coolness and initiative in the captured Turks’ trench undoubtedly saved our lives.” Major Love asked for names to be mentioned for distinction, a memorial was signed by the survivors, unanimously Basil Fenwick’s was voted. Lieut.-Gen. Sir Alexander Godley, C.B., K.C.M.G., also wrote: “I understand that he was looked upon by his comrades and officers as a particularly fine soldier and an exceptionally brave man.”

=FENWICK, FREDERICK RICHARD WILLIAM=, L.-Corpl., No. 11044, _s._ of John Fenwick, of 85, Oriel Street, Hirst Ashington, Northumberland; _b._ Durham; served with the Expeditionary Force in France, etc.; killed in action at Givenchy, 22 Dec. 1914, aged 22.

=FEREDAY, THOMAS HAROLD=, Stoker, 1st Class (R.F.R., B. 10391), 108085, H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=FERG, EDWARD CHARLES=, Private, No. 840, 8th Battn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, 2nd _s._ of Fannin Ferg (born in Germany, went to Canada at the age of five), by his wife Sarah (Monkton, Ontario, Canada), dau. of William Blighton, of Newark, England; _b._ Elma Township, Perth co., P. Ontario, 23 July, 1887; educ. local Public School; was a Locomotive Engineer; joined 90th Winnipeg Rifles, in Aug. 1914, after the outbreak of War; left Canada with the 1st Contingent, and was killed in action at Langemarck, 22 April, 1915; _unm._ He was buried at St. Julien, near Ypres.

=FERGUSON, JAMES=, Private, No. 10202, 2nd Battn. Scots Guards, _s._ of James Ferguson, of 43, Lorburn Street, Dumfries; enlisted 4 Sept. 1914, aged 19; served with the Expeditionary Force in France, etc.; killed in action, 16 May, 1915; _unm._

=FERGUSON, JOHN=, Private, No. 3361, 2nd Battn. The Royal Scots. 2nd _s._ of the late Thomas Ferguson, Wool Factory Worker, by his wife, Mary (16, Lothian Street, Hawick), dau. of John Watts; _b._ Weensland, Hawick, co. Roxburgh, 20 Sept. 1879; educ. Trinity School there; worked on North British Railway, enlisted 10 Sept., 1914, went to the front 10 Oct. 1914, and was killed in action at Petite La Bloise, near Kemmel, Belgium, 14 Dec. 1914; _unm._

=FERGUSON, MATTHEW=, Private, No. 11699, 1st Battn. Highland L.I.; served with the Expeditionary Force in France, etc.; killed in action at Neuve Chapelle 11–18 March, 1915.

=FERGUSON, PETER=, Stoker, 1st Class (R.F.R., B. 10201), 298040, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914; _m._

=FERGUSON, ROBERT=, Private, No. 7060, 1st Battn. Highland L.I.; served with the Expeditionary Force in France, etc.; killed in action at Richebourg, 17–23 May, 1915; _m._

=FERGUSON, WILLIAM=, Private, No. 13355, 11th (Service) Battn. Royal Scots (Lothian Regt.); served with the Expeditionary Force in France; killed in action, 27 Sept. 1915.