Joseph Thomas Fenwick (1880-1916)
Greencroft man served in the 3rd Tyneside Scottish at the Battle of the Somme
Joseph Thomas Fenwick was born in Greencroft in 1880. He was the son of Thomas Fenwick (1831-1904) a pit deputy from Kyo and Ann Purvis (1848-1890) who was originally from Ryton. He had three brothers and three sisters all born in either Kyo or Greencroft. In 1881 the family lived at 18 East Pontop. By 1891 Joseph had lost his mother and the remaining family were now living at 63 Greencroft Cottages.
In 1901 the family lived at 154 Pontop Rows. All the men in the family at this time were coal miners. Thomas, the father, was still working at 70 years of age while Joseph was a hewer and his two younger brothers were putters. In 1901, living two doors away, was the Chorley family. Joseph married Ann Chorley in 1909 in Iveston. At the 1911 census the couple had formed their own family and were living at Cross Street, North Pontop Rows with a five-month-old son; in time three further children followed.
Joseph enlisted in the 3rd Tyneside Scottish (22nd Service Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers). His unit was formed at Newcastle on 5 November 1914, by the Lord Mayor and City as a Pals Battalion. Joseph was given the rank of private and the service number 22/371. The Tyneside Scottish battalions contained as little as 25% Scots; the remainder were Geordies attracted to the glamour of a “Scottish” regiment. An application for a full kilted uniform was rejected but the Tyneside Scottish wore a Glengarry hat and each battalion was allowed to maintain a pipes and drums band.
In June 1915, along with the 101st and 103rd (Tyneside Irish) Brigades, the Tyneside 102nd Scottish Brigade made up the 34th Division. This Division was posted to France in January 1916. The Tyneside Scottish first saw action in the Battle of the Somme on 1 July 1916 and it was on this first day of action that Joseph lost his life. Just before the village of La Boisselle is a grassed area at the head of which sits the Tyneside Memorial Seat. The inscription reads “In front of this monument on the 1st of July 1916 the Tyneside Scottish and the Tyneside Irish Brigades attacked the enemy. For many hours the fortunes of arms fluctuated but ere night had fallen the two Tyneside Brigades with the aid of other units of the 34th Division attained their objective.”
Joseph is buried in Ovillers Military Cemetery, Ovillers-la-Boisselle, France. The cemetery began as a battle cemetery behind a dressing station. It was increased after the Armistice when Commonwealth and French graves were brought in from the nearby battlefields and from two other existing cemeteries. Joseph’s grave is marked and his grave reference is IV.J.6. Records of Joseph’s effects show that a sum of £5-5s-11d was owing to him which along with a war gratuity payment of £7-0s-0d was paid to his wife Ann as his sole beneficiary.
Joseph Thomas Fenwick was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his service in the war.
Civil Parish: Greencroft Within
Birth date: 1880
Death date: 01-Jul-1916
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: 18 East Pontop (1881 census)
63 Greencroft Cottages (1891 census)
154 Pontop Rows (1901 census)
Cross Street, North Pontop Rows (1911 census)
Employment: Coal miner (1901 and 1911 census)
Family: Parents: Thomas Fenwick (1831-1904), Ann Fenwick nee Purvis (1848-1890)
Siblings: William Fenwick, John Fenwick, George Fenwick, Hannah Fenwick, Sarah Fenwick, Mary Fenwick
Spouse: Ann Fenwick nee Chorley
Children: William Fenwick (1910), Joseph Fenwick (1912), James Fenwick (1913), Hannah Fenwick (1915).
Military service:
22/371
Private
3rd Tyneside Scottish
(22nd Service Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers).
Medal(s): Victory Medal
British War Medal
Memorial(s): Ovillers Military Cemetery, Ovillers-la-Boisselle, France (grave reference IV.J.6)
Cenotaph 1914-18, Annfield Plain
Roll of Honour 1914-18 St Aidan’s Church, Annfield Plain
Gender: Male
Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham