Name
Walter William Fensom
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
08/05/1918
38
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
18431
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Panel 48 to 50 and 162A.
Belgium
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour,
Benskin's Brewery Memorial, Watford
Pre War
Son of Arthur and Emma (nee CLARK) FENSOM of Watford; husband of Clara (nee LEACH) FENSOM of Watford.
His parents married 31 August 1864 at St Leonard’s, Flamstead, Herts. Arthur died 1920 in Watford aged 76, and was buried 21 January in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Emma died 1926 in Watford aged 80, and was buried 7 May, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Walter was born 11 March 1880 in Caddington, Beds, and attended Victoria Boys’ School, Watford, from 15 July 1889 to 19 March 1894. He married 19 June 1909 at St Mary’s, Watford; they had two children. He resided in Watford. Clara remarried 20 December 1919 at St Mary’s, Watford, to William HALL. She died 1953 in St Alban’s, Herts, aged 71, and was buried 8 July in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
On the 1881 Census, aged 1 he lived in Caddington, with his parents and five siblings. On the 1891 Census, a scholar aged 11, he lived in Oxhey, Herts, with his parents and two siblings. On the 1901 Census, a domestic gardener aged 21, he lived in Watford, with his parents and four siblings. On the 1911 Census, a brewer’s labourer aged 31, he still lived in Watford, with his wife and one child.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Bedford; was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being 30 September 1915, and was killed in action during a successful German attack near Vierstraat.
Additional Information
There is an article about and a Death announcement for Walter in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 8 June 1918; plus an In Memoriam in the issue dated 17 May 1919.
Has a entry in the National Roll of the Great War.
Unfortunately, Walter’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
