Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Robert Fendell, a bricklayer, born 1864 in Chesterfield, Derbyshire and his wife Mary Elizabeth Fendell (nee Webster, married in the 4th quarter of 1886 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1864 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. John Thomas Fendell was born in the 4th quarter of 1889 in Leicestershire, his siblings were, Robert William, born 1887 and Elsie Maud, born 1888, both his siblings were born in Leicestershire, in April 1891 the family home was at Egerton Road, Melton Mowbray. In March 1901 John was residing in the family home at Old Guadaloupe, Sysonby, Leicestershire, together with his father, a builder, his mother and siblings, Robert, learning the carpentry trade, Jesse, born 1891 and Mabel Mary E., born 1892, the latter two siblings were both born in Melton Mowbray and Ernest Henry, born in the 4th quarter of 1893 in Sysonby, Leicestershire and baptised on the 15th January 1894 in Melton Mowbray Parish Church, also residing in the family home was John’s paternal Cousin, Reuben Fendell, a schoolboy, born 1888 in Barnsley, Yorkshire. In April 1911 John was employed as a carpenter and was residing in the family home at 7, Gooseberry Square, Melton Mowbray, together with his father, a builder, his mother and siblings, Jesse, a carter, Mabel and Ernest, a painter, also residing with the family was John’s Cousin Reuben Fendell, a bricklayer, and his widowed paternal Uncle Jass Fendell, a coal miner, born 1855 in Chesterfield. His younger brother Ernest fell in action in September 1917.
John attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War, with the Colours and in the Army Reserve.) on the 27th November 1915 in Melton Mowbray. He gave his home address as Mill Street, Melton Mowbray, his age as 26 years and 32 days and his trade or calling as joiner. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father Robert Fendell of Mill Street, Melton Mowbray as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 6¼ inches in height, weighed 149 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 34½ and 36½ inches. His physical development was described as good. After attestation on the 27/11/15 in Melton Mowbray he was transferred as Private, service number 28072 to the Army Reserve. Mobilized on the 17/4/16. Posted to the Leicestershire Regiment Depot on the 17/4/16. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 17/4/16. Posted to the 12th Infantry Brigade Depot on the 28/8/16. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 28/8/16. Joined 12th Infantry Brigade Depot on the 30/8/16. Posted to the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 30/8/16. Admitted to the 17th Field Ambulance suffering from -?- left leg on the 19/5/17. Admitted to 1st C.R.S. on the 19/5/17. Rejoined 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 5/6/17. To Hospital suffering from a scalded right foot on the 20/10/17. Admitted to 38th Casualty Clearing Station on the 24/10/17. -?- on the 8/11/17. Rejoined 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 9/11/17.
On the 20/10/17 he suffered a scalded right foot the injury being not severe, the circumstances of the case were that:- Whilst putting boots on by side of an improvised fire, was scalded on the right foot owing to a support bar bending with the heat, thus upsetting a petrol tin which contained boiling water. Having received the report it was decided that the accident occurred in the performance of his military duty, he was not to blame, nor was any other person to blame. This was accepted by the General Officer Commanding the Brigade and no disciplinary action was deemed necessary.
A summary of his service records: Home Service 17/4/16 - 27/8/16, 133 days. British Expeditionary Force, France 28/8/16 – 22/3/18, 1 year 207 days. Total service 1 year 340 days. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by John’s father Robert Fendell on the 28th October 1919, and was witnessed and signed by -?-, J.P. County of Leicester, 16, Nottingham Road, Melton Mowbray on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, Robert Fendell of 2, Nottingham Road, Melton Mowbray. Mother of soldier, Mary Elizabeth Fendell of 2, Nottingham Road, Melton Mowbray. Full blood brothers of soldier, Jess Fendell, age 28. Robert William Fendell, age 32. Full blood sisters of soldier, Elsie Maud Way, age 30. Mabel M. E. Digby, age 27. John’s surviving service documents are in a poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 21 Mar-18 - The Battalion were near VAULX. On the 20th March at midnight a telephone message was received from the Brigade Major ordering the Battalion to “Stand To” in battle positions at 5.30am on the 21st March in accordance with instructions laid down in the 71st Infantry Brigade Defence Scheme. At the time working parties were out as follows:- 6 officers and 216 other ranks from “B,” “D” and Headquarters Companies. 1 officer and 76 other ranks from “A” Company. 1 officer and 76 other ranks from “C” Company. Working parties were ordered to return by Brigade Major. At 4.30am “B” and “A” Companies left camp for the assembly area (I.3.C.) 5 officers and 110 other ranks strong. The working parties not having returned from work. At 5.30am the positions were taken up in the assembly area, “C” Company were already in position. A heavy bombardment commenced at 5.00am. Apparently the alarm this time was a genuine one. At 6.30am 6 officers and 216 other ranks of “B,” “D” and Headquarters Companies reported in assembly area. They had not returned too long from working parties (5.15am). and were somewhat exhausted, having marched five miles each way to work, and having done a heavy nights work. Some shelling of Battalion assembly area during the morning, but no casualties were sustained. No news was received from “A” Company whose battle position was 1 platoon in C.29.a. Company less one platoon in VAULX – MORCHIES line. At 7.30am wire received from Brigade advising that enemy were concentrating in CORN HILL VALLEY. At 9.30am Commanding Officer visited Brigade Headquarters and received verbal instructions to move 2 Companies owing to the enemy having driven in the left front of the Brigade sector. At 10.40am “C” and “D” Companies were ordered to move. Officer Commanding “C” Company to go to right Battalion Headquarters and place his Company at the disposal of the Officer Commanding 9th NORFOLK REGIMENT, and “D” Company to hold the trench running from LAGNICOURT SWITCH and C.29.b. 10.90 to C.29.b. 90.70 to cover the southern exits from LAGNICOURT, and trenches C.29.b. 90.70 to C.30.a. 30.80. The reasons for the move were that information had been received that the enemy was in LAGNICOURT, and these two Companies were sent forward to protect the left flank of the Brigade, as apparently LAGNICOURT SWITCH was not held and enemy had broken through, reaching C.28.b. 90.90 and the strong point C.29.a between 10.00 and 11.00am. At 10.57am “C” and “D” Companies moved off to take up their new positions. At 2.00pm nothing of note occurred in the vicinity occupied by Battalion Headquarters and “B” Company until at 1.40pm orders came from Brigade that “B” Company was to be ready to move into the VAULX - MORCHIES line and take up a position between LAGNICOURT – MARICOURT WOOD ROAD and VAULX WOOD. Order to move received at 2.00pm. At 2.10pm “B” Company moved off, followed immediately by Battalion Headquarters, move steadily carried out despite very heavy Machine Gun fire in the neighbourhood of VAULX WOOD. The Company and Battalion Headquarters reached the trench with comparatively few casualties. “B” Company took up a position rather too much to the left, but they arrived just in time to eject a few of the enemy who had managed to force an entry into the VAULX - MORCHIES line. The line was too thickly held on the left of our front, and very thinly on the right. Attempts made to side step to the right were fraught with difficulty owing to the trench not being continuous, and the gaps to cross when one had to go over the open were swept by Machine Gun fire and marked down by enemy snipers. No touch could be obtained with the troops on the right of LAGNICOURT – MARICOURT WOOD ROAD, owing to the fact there was no trench line for a considerable distance. At about 4.30pm a runner crossed this road with a message from the Officer Commanding 459th Field Company, saying they were holding the line on the right, but were, so far as they knew unsupported, as they had no touch with troops on either flank. At 5.30pm one Company of the 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT (25th Division) reported in VAULX - MORCHIES line, they were put in on left of Brigade sector. “B” Company side stepping to the right. Remainder of sector on right as far as LAGNICOURT – MARICOURT WOOD ROAD held by a portion of the 509th Field Company, and one Company of the 11th Battalion of the LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT (“C” Company commanded by Captain SPENCER). At 6.40pm orders were received from Brigade that Battalion Headquarters should move at dusk to Brigade Headquarters in VAULX, Brigade Headquarters is moving to H.12.d between VAULX and BEUGNATRE. At 8.00pm the move was completed Headquarters shared with 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT, 8th BORDER REGIMENT, 1st KING’S SHROPSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY, 2nd YORK AND LANCASTER REGIMENT and 1st EAST KENT REGIMENT (BUFFS). So far, no news at all of “A,” “C” and “D” Companies. One further Company of 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT had been put in the VAULX - MORCHIES line at dusk one immediately on each side of the LAGNICOURT – MARICOURT WOOD ROAD. At 8.30pm a runner arrived from “A” Company with the report that 1 platoon of “A” Company had been practically wiped out at strong point C.29.a during the morning. The remainder of the Company are in battle position in VAULX - MORCHIES line between CRUCIFIX - MORCHIES and C.29.a. 30.20 9th NORFOLK REGIMENT and 2nd SHERWOOD FORESTERS had also withdrawn to this line, and the disposition in the Brigade sector was:- right to left 9th NORFOLK REGIMENT “A” Company and “C” Company, 2nd SHERWOOD FORESTERS, 459th Field Company 9 men with a Machine Gun, “D” Company (right at MORCHIES - CRUCIFIX, left at C.29.c. 60.50), 2 Companies of the SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT, “B” and “C” Companies of the 11th Battalion of the LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT and 1 Company of the SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT. The left of the sector being in line with the North East corner of VAULX WOOD. The strengths of the various units and Companies as far as known at the present time, “A” Company 1 officer and 70 other ranks, “C” Company 1 officer and 37 other ranks, “D” Company 3 officers and 112 other ranks, “B” Company 4 officers and 110 other ranks, Battalion Headquarters 4 officers and 40 other ranks. 9th NORFOLK REGIMENT 120 all ranks, 2nd SHERWOOD FORESTERS 120 all ranks. Returns came up during the night and were sent to all Companies. Lieutenant G. MANSFIELD returned from leave and joined “D” Company. Lieutenant FRAMPTON 71st TRENCH MORTAR BATTERY joined our “D” Company. Casualties, other ranks “A” Company 6 killed, 22wounded, 24 missing, “B” Company 2 killed, 7 wounded, “C” Company 4 killed, 12 wounded, “D” Company 2 killed, 10 wounded, 1 missing. Officer’s killed, Lieutenant, Acting Captain J. H. HARBOTTLE, Lieutenant C. F. ATTER, Lieutenant C. T. LANCASTER, 2nd Lieutenant G. A. ROBERTS, 2nd Lieutenant N. G. FIDOE. Officer’s wounded Lieutenant C. H. WATSON, 2nd Lieutenant A. G. ESCUDIER, 2nd Lieutenant W. JONES. Officer’s missing Lieutenant J. O. VESSEY M.C., 2nd Lieutenant T. C. A. CLARKE.
On Friday May 24th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” - OFFICIAL LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Wednesday’s lists included:- Missing: Leicestershire Regt. – Fendell, 28072 J. F. (Melton Mowbray). Main, 241096 L.-Cpl J. H. (Melton Mowbray). Needham, 40710 V. A. (Bottesford). Ridley, 7975 C. (Syston). Seaton, 23763 L. (Syston). Spiby, 241014 Cpl. T. W. (Melton Mowbray). Talbot, 40724 H. J. (Thrussington). Taylor, 25813 Cpl. J. E. (Barkby). Taylor, 28042 A. G. (Thurmaston). Toon, 25932 A. (Waltham). Woodford, 240756 L.-Cpl. B. G. (Melton Mowbray). Northumberland Fusiliers – Simpson, 24067 F. (Wymeswold). Sherwood Foresters – Simpson, 87693 D. (Melton Mowbray.
On Friday May 31st 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MISSING MELTONIANS. – Pte. Tom Fendell, Machine Gun Corps. is notified as missing. He is the eldest son of Mr. Robert Fendell, builder and contractor, Nottingham-road, Melton Mowbray, and one of his brothers was killed in action last September. Two other brothers have been wounded. They all worked with their father before enlisting.