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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