St Mary's, Church Fenton

Church Fenton, or Kirk Fenton as it is otherwise, including on the church notice board, known, served not only the parish, but also, until its final closure a short while ago, the RAF airfield of Church Fenton. It is perhaps odd to see an otherwise ancient church equipped as St Mary's is with a set of Aircraft Warning Lights!

St. Mary's Church Fenton has one extant war grave. There is also a plaque on a family interment, Detailing one Michael Gaunt, died age 20 on 16 April 1948, and marked specifically as RAF. This I think deserves a little further research. The date is post hostilities for WW2, but of course the RAF were serving still in many parts of the world in 1948. This could be a family marker to reflect a loss interred in some remote commonwealth cemetery.

The extant grave is also interesting as it seems to show a change in unit, perhaps as a result of an injury during service.

Extant war grave St. Mary's, Church Fenton -

1802143  Gunner  Darley, W.
53rd Searchlight Rgt, Royal Artillery
Late of 5th batt. Royal Northumberland Fusiliers
9 June 1944  Age 35

This grave also contains family interments.