Circumstances of Casualty: Killed in Action.
Location of Unit at Time of Casualty: Trenches near Courcelette.
BX October 26, 1916
Lieutenant Hubert Jefferson Fenton Reported Killed – Was Machine Gun Officer of 84th and Well Known Here
HAMILTON, Oct. 26 – Word has been received that Lieut. Hubert J. Fenton, a well-known young Methodist minister, has been killed in action. He was a graduate of Victoria University and had been engaged in missionary work in the north when war broke out. He qualified for the rank of major, but went overseas as a lieutenant with the 84th. For some years he was supervisor of Hamilton’s playgrounds.
BX October 26, 1916
Lieutenant Fenton was very well known in Brantford. He was an ordained minister and during Rev. T.J. Mansell’s pastorate supplied in the pulpit of Brant Avenue Methodist Church one summer. During the 84th’s stay here, he added many new friends.
BX November 16, 1916
Details of Death of Lieut. Hubert Jefferson Fenton – Shell Landed in His Trench, Killing Him Instantaneously – Buried Near By – Loss Regretted
Particulars of the manner in which her son, Lieut. (Rev.) Hubert Jefferson Fenton, formerly of the 84th Battalion was killed at the front were yesterday received by Mrs. Fenton, of Hamilton, in letters from Major V.V. Harvey, who was here with Lieut. Fenton during the past winter, and the chaplain of the unit. Capt. J.H. White. Both speak highly of the fine qualities of Lieut. Fenton, who was killed in action on October 18. Lieut. Fenton was very well known and highly esteemed in Brantford.
In his letter Major Harvey says:
Please accept my sincere sympathy in the loss of your son, H.J. Fenton, who was killed on the 18th of October. Having been associated since August 1915, when he first joined the 84th. I had formed a sincere regard for his sterling qualities as a man and a soldier.
You will be glad to hear that his death was instantaneous, from a shell that landed in the trench, close beside him, and he is buried in a soldier’s grave in a spot close beside where he fell. His grave is marked and registered and as soon as we have gained a bit more ground, a cross will be erected over him. At present his resting place is just behind our front lines, where it is inadvisable to show any marks. I feel his loss very keenly, as I had grown to know him very well and it was by my instrumentality that he joined the battalion. His work was much appreciated, and I have no doubt that he would have assumed the rank to which his work entitled him at no very distant date. His effects have been forwarded to you and the only thing left to settle is to get the amount due him for a pair of binoculars he turned in. I have had a certain amount of trouble in my own case, but if you do not receive a settlement by Christmas, I hope you will let me know, and I will take the matter up with the proper authorities in England. Please don’t hesitate in this as it is all a pleasure to me to do this.
Yours sincerely,
V.V. Harvey.
The letter of sympathy from the chaplain of the unit follows:
I regret exceedingly having to confirm the sad intelligence already sent you of the death of Lieut. H.J. Fenton, who was instantly killed in action on Oct. 18. He was hit by a high explosive shell, while in the trenches and instantly killed. We all deeply regret his loss, as he was a good man and an excellent officer, doing his bit for home and country – and eventually giving his life for the sake of others. I had not a long acquaintance with Mr. Fenton, but sufficiently long to appreciate the many excellent qualities which he possessed. Like so many more soldiering was not the part he was destined to play in life, but he proved to be a fine soldier. Our only regret is that an opportunity will not be given us of proving where his real talents were. Let me assure you of my deep personal sympathy with you in the great loss you have sustained, and pray that God will comfort and sustain you with His grace in this hour of sorrow.
Most sincerely,
J.H. White, Chaplain
