Francis Alston FENN [439]

  General Notes:

Francis Alston Fenn
Birth Date:Oct-Nov-Dec 1888
Registration Place:Dunedin, New Zealand
Folio Number:4249.

The Times Thursday, Jul 19, 1906;
pg. 10; Issue 38076; col B,
Assistant clerkships in the Royal Navy The following are declared by the Civil Service Commisioners to have obtained the first 20 places in the Competitive Examination held on June 19, 1906 and following days, for Assistant Clerkships in the Royal Navy:- F A Fenn (16th name).

Frank (Francis) Fenn is mentioned by Dr E L Fenn in a letter 18 Jul 1906 to H L Fenn "that he has passed his paymaster line being 16th out of 20 successful applicants and that he now has his life's career open before him"

Dr E L Fenn in a letter to H L Fenn 13 Sept 1906 says " Frank Fenn has joined the London at Malta he proved himself a good sailor"

The Times Thursday, Jul 19, 1906;
pg. 10; Issue 38076; col B,
Assistant clerkships in the Royal Navy The following are declared by the Civil Service Commisioners to have obtained the first 20 places in the Competitive Examination held on June 19, 1906 and following days, for Assistant Clerkships in the Royal Navy:- F A Fenn (16th name).

The Times, Monday, Jun 22, 1908;
pg. 13; Issue 38679; col D,
Clerk, FA Fenn, to the Agamemnon, on commssioning, undated.

The Times, Monday, Nov 07, 1910;
pg. 4; Issue 39423; col E,
F A Fenn to the Prince George on recommissioning to date Nov 22nd.

Extracts From Franks Naval Service Record:
Apr 1907 - Promising a well behaved Officer
Jan 1908 - Conduct VG very careless and untidy
Jan 1909 - Conduct VGS very zealous judgment not developed young for his years will, probably improve good disposition VG outdoor games
Aug 1910 - Unauthorised entries entries on service certificate of H C Norman . . . . . Fenn to blame and cautioned to be more carefull. . . . .
Sep 1910 - VG VG G Rather careless lacks method and has little idea of responsibility
Sep 1911- Sick underging operation
Jul 1911 - G Fair Fair careless lazy incompetent fair physically certainly not rec'd for advancement
Dec 1911 - All G until last 3 months not shown any interest in his duties but appears to be trying to do better lately & I think will improve if looked after. Physically good. Temperate but logged for excessive wine bill
5 Feb 1912 - Tried by CM for (1). . . . . making a false statement . . . . . that he had filled the weekly payments for the month . . . . . in the ledger he well knowing the same to be false
(2) Negligent performance of duty. First charge not proved second charge proved . . . . . forfeit 3 mths seniority, dismissed ship.
1 Jul 1912 - Tried CM on two charges of wilfil disobedience of lawful command. Pleaded guilty forfeit 6 mths seniority dismissed ship
30 Sep 1912 - Sick fit 5 Oct 12
Feb 1913 - VG1 VG G Showing great improvement, but still lacks attention, Requires good influences and will then succeed in his profession.
14 Jan 1914 Tried by CM (1&2) falsifiying Casual Payments Book (3 &5) Forgery (4) Obtaining money by false pretence (6) Fraudlent conduct in signing a Certificate for payment of a sum of money. Accused pleaded guilty. Adjudged imprisoned with hard labour for one year, dismissed with disgrace from HM Service.
Ref: National Archives ADM/196/171 Image 428

The Times, Thursday, Jan 15, 1914;
pg. 10; Issue 40421; col F
Assistant Paymaster sentenced: Assistant Paymaster Francis Austin Fenn of the light cruiser Boadicea was sentenced to 12 month's imprisonment with hard labour and dismissed the service at a court-martial held at Portland yesterday. He was indicted on six charges of fraud and forgery. It was stated that the accused was entrusted with money to pay the second watch. To a Lieutenant he paid £7, while in the casual payments book he was credited with £5. This led to further irregularities being discovered.

Frank's offending appears to have resulted in his being ostracised by the family, the writer (E L Fenn) was fully schooled in details of the family and its members before travelling to England in 1963 and meeting them all, including Frank's brother Dick. Of Frank there was no mention, his deeds coming to light via a random search of The Times.
This attitude of our family is most regrettable.

Francis is recorded in the 1935 & 1954 Twickenham Richmond Electoral Register as having a Residential Qualification, and Occupiers Qualification to vote and living at 3 Popes Grove Twickenham. He is eligable to serve as a Juror
Ref: Ancestry

1939 Register.
3 Popes Grove, Twickenham M.B., Middlesex, England
Francis A Fenn 18 Nov 1888 married Factory Clerk

Fenn Francis Alston of 3 Popes Grove Twickenham Middlesex died 9 March 1960 at West Middlesex Hospital Isleworth Middlesex.
Probate London 5 April 1962 Harriette Beatrice Fenn widow. Effects £335 17s 1d
National Probate Calendar.

  Other Records

1. Census: England, 5 Apr 1891, 52 Hadlow Rd Tunbridge Kent. Francis is recorded as a son aged 2 born New Zealand

2. Census: England, 31 Mar 1901, Christs Hospital School Newgate LND.
Francis is recorded as aged 12 a scholar at Christs Hospital boarding school, he was born in New Zealand

Francis was a boarder at Christs Hospital School an ancient instution founded in 1552, it gathered up 'fatherless and poor children' and cared for them. Through the generosity of the citizens of London smart new clothes were provided, today (2021) and now co-educational, it retains its distinctive uniform, it having hardly altered for 450 yrs since Tudor times.
A long blue coat, matching knee breeches, yellow socks and white neck bands.
https://www.christs-hospital.org.uk/about-christs-hospital/history-of-the-uniform/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ%27s_Hospital

3. Census: England, 2 Apr 1911, H M S Prince George. Francis is recorded as single aged 22 an assistant paymaster born Dunedin NZ

Francis married Harriet Beatrice LARSON [9067] [MRIN: 3136], daughter of David Daniel LARSON [23322] and Susan FARR [23323], Sep Qtr 1924 in St Pancras London. (Harriet Beatrice LARSON [9067] was born on 12 Oct 1899 in Plymouth DEV and died on 9 May 1975 in Swindon WIL.)