By Jean Morley

KIRKBY Fleetham with Fencotes Parish Council decided, last autumn, to commemorate those from the parish who lost their lives during the Great War to mark the centenary of the start of the conflict.

Research revealed that there were 14 such men and it was agreed that an avenue of trees would be a poignant memorial to them.

Having earmarked a suitable stretch of road, the landowners were approached and were most amenable. Planting has now been carried out.

So, in Todd Lane, approaching St Andrew’s Church in Great Fencote, there are now 14 saplings – all limes. It is hoped that a plaque will soon be engraved, naming the men, and a suitable place found for it nearby.

The Reverend Clive Todd has agreed to conduct a service of dedication.

A booklet is to be produced as a further acknowledgement of the men’s sacrifice and kept in the community library at Kirkby Fleetham.

Of the 14, just four are buried in the churchyard at Great Fencote: Flight Cadet Hector Campbell Wright; Pte Robinson Tweedy; Bombardier Charles Marshall MM, and Air Mechanic 3rd Class William Pybus.

Two are buried or commemorated on memorials far from home – Pte Lionel Callum Burgess in Egypt and L Cpl Arthur Ward in Turkey. Seven were killed in France: Ptes John Hubert Hollox, Robert Pennock, Charles Sadler and Henry Stirk; L Cpl Frederick William Young; Maj Robert Henry Edmund Hutton-Squire, and Lt Col Alexander John Fife.

The resting place of the 14th man, Arthur Carr, remains a mystery. Although his name appears on the list of the fallen in parish records, nothing of his military service can be unearthed.

Born 1881 or 1882, he was the son of George and Isabella Sarah Carr of Greengate Farm, Kirkby Fleetham. In 1911 he was an “attendant on the insane” at the London County Asylum, married to Elizabeth and living in Dartford, Kent. If anyone has more information, the Kirkby Fleetham with Fencotes correspondent would be pleased to hear from you.