WORLD WAR I
Bingham War Memorial
Corporal James Walter Fewster – Enlistment documents
James enlisted with the Sherwood Foresters on 15th November 1916 at Derby. On the attestation form (image 1) his trade was given as Accounts Clerk and he noted previous service in APC (Army Pay Corps), presumably as a territorial. He was 36 years and 10 months old and gave his address as Union Street, Bingham.
The descriptive report (image 2) gave his height as 5’ 5½”, girth as 36½” with an expansion of 3½”. His medical history form (image 3) adds that he was 125 lbs and his physical development was “fair”. He was slightly deaf and wore a truss on account of hernia problems to right and left thighs. Medical assessments in May and June1918 reported his hearing was poor – he could not follow normal conversation easily. The diagnosis was Cholesteatoma/mastoid in both ears. (image 4)
His next of kin was his wife, Alice, of Union Street, Bingham. Their marriage
was noted: to Alice Walton, at the Wesleyan Chapel, Melton Mowbray on 8/9/1910.
Their children were listed as Ernest, b 20/5/15 in West Bridgford and Kathleen
b in Bingham 12/1/17.
The Military History table shows he served on the Home front until 11/11/18
– Armistice Day.
The Casualty Form – Active Service (image 5) shows that he spent all his time at Army Pay Corps, York, after an initial probationary period. He was appointed A/Lcs Corporal on 24th April 1917 and promoted to Corporal on 15th November 1917. He was discharged from the Army on 2nd march 1919. The statement of the services form restates all this information (image 6).
His regimental conduct sheet (image 7) was certified to say there was no record of any misconduct.
Image 8 appears to refer to a claim for allowances to be paid to his wife and family to be reclaimed by the Guardians from James’ pay. It is a certificate from the Superintendent registrar, also clerk to the Basford Guardians, confirming that their son Ernest was born on Second of May 1915 at 8 Lady Bay Road, West Bridgford. Quite what the background for this is we do not know. It was issued on 9th November 1916.
