FYSON, John Sundon


No.3185, Pioneer, John Sundon FYSON
Aged 33
medals not known
East African Pioneers
Died from Illness on 16th May 1917


John Sundon Fyson was born in Wickhambrook in 1883 (3rd qtr 1883 Risbridge 4a:544) son of John and Alice FYSON (née CAPON). CWGC, incorrectly, has him born in Chevington and on his headstone Sundon has become Sundow.

1891 census...Aged 7, he was at Ruffins Lodge, Chevington with his father John FYSON [48] farmer, born Exning; his mother Alice [46] born Dennington; sister Florence M [13], brother William [10] both born Wickhambrook; visitor Sophia MASTERS [55] born Exning.

1901 census...Not found in this census His parents with brother William and sister Rosa [24] (born Wickhambrook) were still at The Ruffins.

Research by John Robertson of Chevington found that he had attended Framlingham College, emigrated to Canada in 1903 but ended up in Kenya where he entered the Colonial Service and worked in the Public Works Department

1911 census...Overseas. His parents and sister Florence were still at The Ruffins, Chevington.

Presumably after a visit home, J.S.Fyson (Clerk of Works) sailed from London for Mombassa on SS Llandovery Castle on 6th March 1915



He enlisted late in 1915 in the East African Pioneers, a engineering and construction unit. A Government notice at the time had:-
Government Notice No.242 - OBITUARY
His Excellency the Acting Governor deeply regrets to report the death in the British General Hospital from blackwater fever on May 16th, 1917 of Mr. F.S.FYSON, who joined the East African Pioneers on November 3rd 1915. Prior to the war he had worked in the Public Works Department as a Job Overseer from July 1st 1910. He was principally employed on roadworks and by his death Government loses a vigorous and promising Officer.




photo CWGC

John Fyson is buried in Nairobi South Cemetery, Kenya 6:A:4

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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