5th Battalion Grenadier Guards - Walter Fewtrell

[Alan Fewtrell]

I'm researching Walter Fewtrell 27946 of 5th (Reserve) Battalion Grenadier Guards.

He was born in 1880 in Wolverley, Worcestershire, by 1901 he had left the family home. He married Ellen Burden in Chelsea London in 1908. I'm assuming he was at Chelsea due to joining the Guards. 

Sadly he was knocked over by a motor vehicle on the evening of 18th January 1917 and died the next day. He was due to leave for France that day. I have all the details of how he died, I'm trying to fill in the gaps from enlisting. Any help appreciated.

Kind regards

Alan

[clk]

Hi Alan,

 

I believe that up until a couple of years ago the service files of the Grenadier Guards were kept by their regimental archives, so not effected by the London bombings of WW2. I understand that they are now in the custody of the MoD. I guess that they may have been 'weeded' over the years, and suspect that if it does still exist, his file would be quite 'thin'. There is a helpdesk phone number here, and advice about the process of getting a copy here. Despite the advice shown, I understand that given his DoB, they wouldn't require a death certificate with any application. I also understand that the process can be painfully slow, more so with the current covid restrictions.

 

Regards

Chris

 

 

[Toontraveller]

Hi, Not too much to offer but he is is included in the nominal roll of the Grenadier Guards from A book “ The Grenadier Guards in the Great War “ published in 1920.By Lt- Colonel The Right Hon. Sir Frederick Ponsonby (Late Grenadier Guards) . 

He is 27946 Fewtrell W.. Located on page 256 of the 3 rd Volume.

Limited information about the fifth Reserve Battalion  But explains formation in July 1915 of the 5 th Reserve Battalion no specific mention of him( was not really expecting to see him) . 
interesting the Nominal Roll  is described as “NCO and men who have been killed in action or who have died of wounds or disease in the European War 1914-1918. 

[clk]

Hi,

 

Walter left what was accepted as being his will - £1.50 from here. It may well only consist of a very few words though. and would come as a low resolution B&W pdf file of the original, attached to an email, sometime after ordering.

 

Regards

Chris

 

 

[sadbrewer]

From The West London Press, July 21st, 1915...no mention of his being a Guardsmen.

 

 

Edited 19 November , 2020 by sadbrewer

[Masters]

Hi. Pension card reads. Widow Ellen Fewtrell entitled to short pension as admitted under act XV.

Pension 15/- per week for duration of the war and 12 months after, from 28-7-17.

Born 30-3-1880. Address ( looks like) 114 Brunthwaite road Fulham SW6. 

Two children named Ivy and Violet.

Hope this info useful.

JM

[Alan Fewtrell]

Many thanks for your help.

Alan