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Fenessey, James Richard         

11-1-5   →   Column 11, Plot 1-5
b. 1885-Dec-07, Percé, Gaspé, QC
d. 1925-Apr-10, Empress, AB

Grave markers: Small metal Legion maple leaf marker
Grave Cover: No
Grave Level? Yes

Empress Cemetery Tree on Ancestry.ca
     https://www.ancestry.ca/family-tree/person/tree/201433125/person/332661266192
Find a Grave
     https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/187187930
Alberta Death Register #402-706
     https://provincialarchives.alberta.ca/sites/default/files/2018-11/deaths-f-1925-1929.pdf
The Empress Express, April 16, 1925
     https://archive.org/details/EPE_1925041601

Available here 

 Fenessey, James Richard 1925-04-16 Empress Express, Page 8.jpg
 Fenessey, James Richard, Discharge Certificate.jpg
 Fenessey, James Richard, Particulars of Recruit.jpg
 Cemetery Register 1925-1926.jpg

Grave Photos 

 11-1-5 Fenessey, James, Legion Marker (2025-04-07).jpg
 11-1-5 Fenessey, James, Whole grave (2025-04-07).jpg
 11-1&2 Veteran's section, Looking northwest (2025-04-06).jpg
 11-1&2 Veteran's section, Looking southwest (2025-04-06).jpg
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Father: Michael Fennessey
Mother: Solomee Decheneau

Summary:

Name: Only in his Canadian Military records is his family name spelled "Fenessey".  In the 3 Canadian Census he is in, his family name is spelled "Fennessey".  His death record has it spelled as "Fennessay".

Birth: James was born to Michael Fennessey & Solomee Decheneau in Québec, Canada.
     About 1883, Québec.  From 1891 Census.
     1883-Nov-13, Québec.  From 1901 Census.
     1885-Dec-07, Piercey, County of Gaspe, Que (Percé, Gaspé, Québec).  From 1918-Apr-19 World War 1 Attestation Papers.
     1890, New Brunswick.  From 1921 Census.

1887-Apr-18: James' mother, Solomee, died.
1891-May-05: Canada Census with father and brother Henry at Percé, Gaspé, Quebec, Canada.  His given age is 8, making his birth year about 1883.
1892-Feb-29: James' father, Michael, married Margaret Cahill at Percé, Gaspé, Quebec, Canada.
1901-Jun-01: Canada Census with parents and 6 siblings at Percé, Gaspé, Quebec, Canada.  His birthdate is given as 1883-Nov-13, born in Quebec, ethnicity as Irish, and occupation as farmer like his father.
1911-Jun-01: Not in Canada Census.  He would have been 26-28 years old.

  Military: World War 1
     1917-Nov-16: Medical exam at Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
     1918-Apr-19: Drafted into Canadian Military at Calgary, Alberta, Canada.  Regimental No 3207898.  He named his brother as his next of kin: Henry Fenessey of Bemidji, Minnesota, USA.
     1918-Jul-28: Embarked at Montreal, Quebec on HMS Nellore.
     1918-Aug-15: Disembarked at Liverpool, England.
     1918-Aug-16: T.O.S. (Taken on Strength) on arrival from Canada, 21st Reserve, Bramshott.
     1919-Jan-04: On CMD. Kinmel Park, Camp, Rhyl, Wales.
     1919-Feb-02: S.O.S. (Struck off Strength) to Rhyl MWS, Rupont
     1919-Feb-02: T.O.S. (Taken on Strength) Perm. Cadro, Pte. Rhyl
     1919-May-10: W.O.A.S. A.W.L. from 12.00 hours 7-5-19 to 11.50 hours 8-5-19 Absent 23 hrs + 50 mins Award 4 days C.B. 10-5-19 forfiets one days pay under PtA Reg Can. Auth AFB 2069. 10-5-19, Pte Rhyl
     1919-May-28: Medical examination upon leaving the service, at Kinmel Park Camp.
     1919-Jun-18: W.O.A.S overstaying leave from 06.30 hrs 14-6-19 to 23.50 hrs 18-6-19. 4 days 17 hrs 20 mins ( award forfiet .5 days nay See 46 forfeit 5 days pay under P+A, Pte. Rhyl
     1919-Jul-05: S.O.S. (Struck off Strength) to Canada SL93, Rhyl-Pte
     1919-Jul-05: Embarked from Liverpool, England on the RMS Carmania.
     1919-Jul-12: Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
     1919-Jul-18: Discharged by reason of demobilization from H.M. Service by Dispersal Station "R", Military District No. 13, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

1920-Apr-20: Homestead Entry Application for NW-30-24-28-W3 (51.078016, -109.905191), 25.2 km southwest of Mantario, SK.  16.9 km north-northwest of Estuary, SK.  15.3 km north-northeast of Empress, AB.  He received a "Special Grant" for the land, unknown when.
1921-Jun-01: Canada Census at 30-24-28-W3, described as Mantario, Saskatchewan, Canada.  He incorrectly gave his age as 31 (born about 1890).  He also incorrectly gave the birth place of himself and his parents as New Brunswick.
1925-Apr-10: James died at Empress, Alberta, Canada, cause being "pernicious anaemia".  Alberta Death Register #402-706.

Empress Cemetery Register: Has wrong: his middle name, death date, and age.

The Empress Express, April 16, 1925, Page 8 (has his middle name wrong)
Passing of James
     Henry Fennessay
     ---
     The death occured of James Henry Fennessay, on Friday, April 10, at the Empress Hospital.  Cause of death was, pernicious anaemia.  Deceased has been resident at Josephine, Sask., for the past ten years, and was engaged in farming.  He was in his 39th year and was Canadian by birth, being born in Quebec.
     The deceased had served in the war and the local veterans took charge of the funeral arrangemennts, the remains being intered in the Empress cemetery.  Rev. Father Arsenault conducted service at the grave side.

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Bruce A. Johnson - Empress, Alberta, Canada.
Last Updated: 2025-Dec-22       Go to Empress Cemetery page