City journalist's own notes used in his obituary

A LONG-serving Devon journalist helped to write his own obituary, thanks to notes found by his children following his death.

- By GUY HENDERSON

Bill Fenwick, who worked on The Herald's sister title the Western Morning News for many years, died on November 28 at his Woodbury home, aged 98.

When his daughters and son - Sue, Sally and Rob - were sorting out various papers they came across notes written by their father in 2019, setting out details of his eventful life.

Exeter-born William John Fenwick studied at a Heavitree primary school and Hele’s School before signing indentures as a junior reporter on the local evening paper, the Express and Echo.

Early in 1944 he was interviewed and accepted for the Royal Navy's scheme to train skippers to land craft on D-Day beaches. However, that invasion to took place in June, so he and other applicants weren't required.

Instead, approaching his 18th birthday, he joined the Navy's RDAR branch, starting his training in a former Butlins holiday camp at Skegness, where the old sign over the main entrance stated: “Our true intent is for your delight.”