Reay William FENTON

[patrexjax]

Hello all! I have just discovered that a third cousin apparently left England and emigrated to Canada....    Here's what I know: Reay William FENTON was b. 1891 in Paddington, London a son of William Fenton and Susanna (nee: Reay) Fenton. This is where everything turns to "verbal" unverified...   Reay supposedly served in the Canadian military during WWI but also supposedly lived in the USA in Maryland and/or California!!    I was able to find a marriage for him to Violet May CHAPMAN on 1926/7/19 in British Columbia, Canada!!!  As you can see, some of this verbal family information may be flawed.   In any event, can anyone tell me #1: WHEN did Reay arrive in Canada? #2 Is there any evidence that he is in any applicable US censuses? (i.e., 1920 or 1930?) #3 How could I determine if he did, in fact, serve in the Canadian military in WW!? ANY information whatsoever on Reay will be greatly appreciated!  Thank you kindly!  Pat

[Elizabeth Revel]

Hi patrexjax,

Reay William Fenton enlisted 21 Sept 1914.

If you go to:
          www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/

you can see the attestation form with his signature and a description of his physical appearance.

Beth

[patrexjax]

Hello Beth! THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!  This is awesome information.     Pat

[Helena98]

Hi Pat -

found the following:
Date of arrival: 9 Oct 1918
Vessel: Saturnia  
Port of arrival: Quebec  
Port of departure: Liverpool, England  
Fenton, Reay William; age 26; single; was in Canada before; 1909/1914; Vancouver; for 5 yrs; birth country - England; destination - Toronto, Ontario

Attestation Papers -

Reay William Fenton
birthplace: Paddington, London W Eng
next of kin: Susannah Fenton
address of next of kin: 119 Portobello Road Baywater Lon Eng
date of birth: Oct 2, 1891
trade: bank-clerk
married: no
28th September 1914

Helena

[patrexjax]

Hello Helena, Oh my! That is fantastic information!  I thank you so very much for helping me with this!     Pat

[KarenM]

Hi Pat,

Looks like Reay served for the US in WWII as well

Reay William Fenton
DAte of Birth:  October 2, 1891
Place of Birth:  London, England
Place of Residence: Occidental Hotel, Santa Rosa, Sonoma California
Next of Kin:  Violet May Fenton, 462 Crescent Street, Oakland, CA
Employer:  Occidental Hotel
Serial No. U1172

[KarenM]

Death Information....

Reay William Fenton
Birth Date:  October 2, 1891
Date of Death:  February 7, 1965
Place:  Santa Clara, California
Birthplace:  England
SS# 560200908

K

[patrexjax]

Hi KarenM, WOW! That's amazing...so, the story about California WAS true!    I am still in shock over this development!  Thank you so much for going to the trouble of taking these extra steps for me. I really appreciate it.  Pat

[Elizabeth Revel]

Reay William Fenton appears to have been married twice.
In 1920 Census he is living at the home of his mother in law in Los Angeles Town, California, at 1033 West 8th Street.

Bishop, Charline  Head Renter Female White 40 Divorced can read and write
      Born Mississippi Father born Maryland Mother born Mississippi Rooming House   
      Keeper
Fenton, Reay Son in law Male White 28 Married Immigrated 1918 Alien can read and                                       
       write Born England Both parents born England Book keeper in a Bank
Fenton, Eleanor Daughter Female White 19 Married Alien Born California Father born       
       Colorado Mother born Mississippi no outside occupation.
Fenton, Joe Lodger Male White Single Immigrated 1913 Alien can read and write Born   
       England both parents born England Insurance Agent
Plus two male lodgers

I can not see evidence that Eleanor died but by 1930 he is married to Violet May.

Will post that Census separately.

Beth