Main CPGW Record
Surname: FENNERTY
Forename(s): Charles
Place of Birth: Skipton, Yorkshire
Service No: 3341
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 'A' Coy 1/6th Battalion
Division: 49th (West Riding) Division
Age: 26
Date of Death: 1915-12-21
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: VI. A. 8.
CWGC Cemetery: ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Charles Fennerty was the son of Thomas F. and Charlotte Fennerty, née Carroll. Thomas was born in Ireland and Charlotte at Barnsley, Yorkshire.
1891 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 7, Westmorland Street - Charles Finnerty, aged 2 years, born Skipton, son of Thomas F. and Charlotte Finnerty.
1901 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 7, Westmorland Street - Charlie Fennerty, aged 12 years, born Skipton, son of Charlotte Fennerty (married).
1911 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 7, Westmorland Street - Charles Fennerty, aged 22 years, born Skipton. [Charles was living with his brothers and sisters.]
The British Army Service Record for Charles Fennerty exists but may be incomplete.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Charles Fennerty, 3341, West Riding Regiment. Theatre of War first served in: (1) France. Date of entry therein: 14 April 1915.
See also: ‘Guiseley Terriers: A Small Part in The Great War – A History of the 1/6th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment’ by Stephen Barber (2018).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
FENNERTY, Charles. [Additional]
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Private Charles FENNERTY
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 49th (West Riding) Division
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Etaples Military Cemetery
CWGC Headstone
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24 December 1915
PRIVATE FENNERTY, SKIPTON
A telegram was received from the Territorial Record Office, York, yesterday, by Mr. John Fennerty, Belmont Street, Skipton, stating that Pte. Charles Fennerty, 1/6th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, had been dangerously wounded and was in St. John’s Hospital, Eataples. The communication added that permission to see the wounded man could not be granted.
Pte. Fennerty was in the Machine Gun Section of the Battalion, which he joined last December. He was so keen on serving his country that he underwent an operation to remove a physical disability. Prior to enlisting he was employed by Messrs. Farey, at the Firth Shed.
The deceased soldier had had one or two narrow escapes. Twice, men standing near him have been badly wounded, and on another occasion he placed his pack on the top of the parapet for a few seconds and it was pierced by a bullet. He was expecting to have leave this Christmas in order to get married.
Information received later in the day was to the effect that Pte. Fennerty had died.
14 January 1916
PRIVATE C. FENNERTY
As previously reported in our columns, Pte. Charles Fennerty of the 6th West Riding Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, and of Skipton, was dangerously wounded and admitted to a hospital at Étaples. Later, news was received that he had died from his wounds, and now that has been confirmed by the receipt of the following letter by Mr. John Fennerty of Belmont Street, Skipton (brother of the unfortunate young man) from Lieut. James Stocks, of the ‘A’ Company:– “I regret to inform you of the death of your brother, No. 3311, Pte Charles Fennerty, who was under my command. His death occurred at 10-30 p.m. on December 2lst, at the hospital at Étaples, and he was buried in the military cemetery there, his grave number being F237. Your brother’s loss is greatly felt in the company to which he belonged, for he was well liked and respected by his comrades. Whenever asked to do anything he was ever willing and ready, and a duty he never shirked. Kindly accept my deepest sympathy with you in your bereavement. You have a great consolation that your brother died for a great and good cause.”
Pte Fennerty enlisted after the war broke out in the 2nd 6th West Riding Regiment, but he was eventually transferred to the Machine Gun Section of the lst Battalion. He was so keen on serving his country that he underwent an operation to remove a physical disability. He was 27 years of age, and prior to joining the Colours was employed by Mr. W. Farey, at Firth Shed, Skipton.
The deceased soldier had had one or two narrow escapes. Twice men standing near him were badly wounded, and on another occasion he placed his pack on top of the parapet and it was pierced by bullets. He was expecting to have leave at Christmas in order to get married.
21 July 1916
NEWS FROM SKIPTON SOLDIERS
We have received a letter from Sergt. C. Thompson, of the 6th Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, 49th West Riding Division, who encloses a photograph of sergeants in the A (Skipton) Company, which we regret that we cannot reproduce with any satisfaction owing to technical difficulties. Sergt. Thompson, writing on July 14th, says:– “I take the pleasure of writing a few lines to let you know that the boys and myself are in the pink. We had a good number of casualties while in the trenches, but those of us who are left are in the best of health and spirits. We have had a bit of trouble with the Bosch, but have come out top dog.
"I had the pleasure of reading the ‘Craven Herald’ last week, and it seemed like old times again to see the old familiar names and places talked about. It is a treat to get hold of the paper. Wishing your paper the best of luck, I remain,” &c.
The names of those in the photograph are:– Sergeant Pryke, Sergeant Ireland, Sergeant Hawley, Company Q.M.S. Cumberland, Sergeant (ex-P.C.) Thompson, Sergeant Fennerty, Sergeant McDermott, Sergeant Cutler, and Lance-Sergeant Carruthers.
29 December 1916
FENNERTY – In loving memory of Charles Fennerty, of the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, who died at Étaples, December 21st 1915.
He did not stop to reason, when this war began,
But went and did his duty as a soldier and a man;
And when the last reveille sounds, and when the battle’s won,
His Maker, whom he’s gone to meet, will smile and say “ Well done.”
“Bravely he fought and bravely he died.”
From his Brothers and Sisters, 38, Westmorland Street, Skipton, and Janette Davis, Skipton.
21 December 1917
FENNERTY – In loving memory of Private Charles Fennerty, who died at Étaples, December 21st 1915.
He lives with us in memory still,
And will for ever more.
From his Brothers and Sisters, 38, Westmorland Street, and Janette Davis, Skipton.
20 December 1918
FENNERTY – In loving memory of Charles Fennerty, who died December 21st, 1915.
26 December 1919
FENNERTY – In loving memory of Charles Fennerty, of 1/6th Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, who died at Etaples, December 21st, 1915.
“Gone, but not forgotten.”
From his Brothers and Sisters, 1 Belmont Street, Skipton.
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11 June 1915
POPULAR SKIPTON CRICKETER KILLED – “Called Away to a Far Better Land Than This”
It is with regret that we record the death of another Skipton Territorial in the person of Private Fred Cartman of the 6th West Riding (Duke of Wellington’s) Regiment, the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Cartman of Thornton Street, Broughton Road, Skipton. News was received last week that he had been wounded in the chest, in a letter dated May 31st from the platoon officer, Lieut. E.J.C. Supple, which was as follows:– “It is my painful duty to have to inform you that your son, of my platoon, was wounded 20 minutes ago, i.e. 12.30pm. The bullet struck him on the right side of his chest and came out below his right armpit. He was out with a party under another officer at the time, working under good cover, whilst attending to a pump. To make his work easier, but unfortunately not safer, he stood up and exposed himself. Stretcher-bearers got to him at once and took him down to the doctor, whose report I am anxiously awaiting. He will be sent to the hospital in course of time, so I shall lose touch with him, but I will be greatly obliged if you will let me know how he is going on. I most sincerely trust he will make a speedy recovery.”
Later, Mrs. Cartman received a postcard stating that her son was progressing as favourably as could be expected under the circumstances, but on Tuesday morning she received the sad news that he had passed away, in a letter dated June 5th, from Lieut. R.C. Barrett, which stated:– “I am afraid I am the bearer of bad news. Your son, Fred, passed away today in a village near here. I was speaking today to the men who had been looking after him, and they said he had done wonderfully, though they always thought the wound would prove fatal. He has been called away to a far better land than this, so we must not take it too hardly. May you be greatly comforted in your distress. Skipton has lost a fine fellow and a good soldier, and we all feel it very much. Fred died at 2.30pm today.”
Charlie Fennerty, of the same regiment as Private Cartman, writes:– “You will no doubt have heard that Freddie was wounded some days ago whilst on a working party. I am very sorry to have to tell you, and we are all very sorry to hear that his wound has proved fatal. In spite of the fact that we heard a day or two ago that he was doing well and quite contented, he passed away today (June 5th). Freddie, as we called him, as very popular with all of us, and his cheerful spirits made him a general favourite. We wish to express our deepest sympathy with you in your sad bereavement. Yours sincerely, Charles Fennerty, on behalf of his many friends.”
Private Cartman, who was 26 years of age, was buried on the same day as his death at the Military Burial Ground, Sailly.
He came of a well know family of sportsmen. His father for many years was a prominent Skipton Rugby player, and the unfortunate young fellow himself has for the past three seasons been a playing member of the Skipton Cricket Club. He was a most popular and promising young player, being a reliable and ‘breezy’ batman. In one of his last letters home he said that on Whit Monday and Tuesday he was thinking about the cricketers at Skipton and how grand it would be to be down on the Sandylands ground once more. His cheery manner won for him a great many friends, and the news of his death will be received with general regret by all who knew him. Prior to the war he was employed as a warp-dresser by Messrs. Stephenson of Broughton Road Shed, and enlisted in the Reserve Battalion shortly after the outbreak of hostilities.
24 December 1915
PRIVATE CHARLES FENNERTY
A telegram has been received from the Territorial Record Office at York by Mr. John Fennerty, of Belmont Street, Skipton, stating that Pte. Charles Fennerty, of the 6th West Riding (Duke of Wellington’s) Regiment, had been dangerously wounded, and that he was in St. John’s Hospital, Étaples, and permission could not be granted to see him.
Pte. Fennerty had had several narrow escapes from death. On one occasion he was out with a Royal Engineer when the latter was wounded, and later an officer was dangerously wounded when he was standing near to Pte. Fennerty. On another occasion he placed his pack on the parapet and immediately a bullet went through it.
He was in a machine gun section, and before he enlisted underwent a special operation so that he might serve his King and country. He was previously employed at Messrs. Farey’s Mill, Skipton. He was expecting leave at Christmas and was hoping to be married.
It is now reported that Pte. Fennerty has died from his wounds.
07 January 1916
FENNERTY – December 31st 1915 at the Hospital, Étaples, France, Private Charles Fennerty of Westmoreland Street, Skipton, of the West Riding Regiment.
Into Thy arms O Lord I come,
Life’s troubles o’er, the battle won.
14 January 1916
THE DEATH OF PTE. CHARLES FENNERTY OF SKIPTON – Never Shirked Duty
A week or two ago we reported that Pte. Charles Fennerty of the 6th West Riding (Duke of Wellington’s) Regiment, and of Skipton, had been dangerously wounded and had been admitted to a hospital at Étaples. Later, news was received that he had died from his wounds, and now that has been confirmed by the receipt of the following letter by Mr. John Fennerty of Belmont Street, Skipton (brother of the unfortunate young man) from Lieut. James Stocks of the ‘A’ Company:–
“I regret to inform you of the death of your brother, No. 3311, Pte. Chas. Fennerty, who was under my command. His death occurred at 10.30pm on December 21st, at the hospital at Étaples, and he was buried in the military cemetery there, his grave number being F 237. Your brother’s loss is greatly felt in the company to which he belonged, for he was well liked and respected by his comrades. Whenever asked to do anything he was ever willing and ready, and a duty he never shirked. Kindly accept my deepest sympathy with you in your bereavement. You have a great consolation that your brother died for a great and good cause.”
Pte. Fennerty enlisted after the war broke out in the 2nd 6th West Riding Regiment, but he was eventually transferred to the Machine Gun Section of the 1st Regiment. He was so keen on serving his country that he underwent an operation to remove a physical disability. He was 27 years of age, and prior to joining the Colours was employed by Messrs. S. Farey and Son, Firth Shed, Skipton.
The deceased soldier had had one or two narrow escapes. Twice men standing near him were badly wounded, and on another occasion he placed his pack on the top of the parapet and it was pierced by a bullet. He was expecting to have leave at Christmas in order to get married.
21 December 1917
In loving memory of Pte. Charles Fennerty, who died at Etaples, Dec. 21st, 1915.
He lives with us in memory still
And will for ever more.
– From his Brothers end Sisters, and Janette Davis. 38, Westmorland Street, Skipton.
20 December 1918
In loving memory of Charles Fennerty, who died Dec. 21st, 1915.
To memory ever dear.
– From his Brothers and Sisters, also Fiancée.
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