Major Victor John Kent the highest ranking officer of the 13th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery, killed-in-action during the Great War.
“He always looked after his men, and it was while doing so that he was killed.”
Lt-Col Edwin Gerald Hanson DSO
Occupation (attested) – Civil Engineer. Major Victor John Kent also a former junior tennis champion of Canada. A graduate of the Royal Military College in 1902.
Early life of Victor John Kent
For some time identified with the public works department (London, Ont) and later the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway on construction work between Lake Abitibi and Fort William. Subsequently connected with the public works department at Fort William. He also assisted in the building of the Detroit tunnel.
Son of Malcolm J and Annie L Kent, of 220, Dundas St., London, Ontario. Born 21 January 1883 in London, Ontario. Mother predeceased. Nephew of prominent lawyer Sir George C. Gibbons, knighted for his work with the International Waterways Commission.
Enlistment of Lt Victor John Kent
Victor John Kent joined on enlistment the 29th Overseas Battery, 11th Howitzer Brigade as Supernumerary Lieutenant, 16 October 1915.
Kent later became the OC of the 56th Battery, 13th Howitzer Brigade on 4 March 1916 while still in Canada.
Medical officer Captain F Walsh considered him fit on 6 March, 1916 in Guelph, Ontario. Standing 5′ 9″, 163 pounds, with good physical development.
Embarked Canada from Halifax on 11 September 1916, later arriving in Liverpool on 22 September.
On arrangement, OC of the 55th Battery, 14th Howitzer Brigade on 22 January 1917.
France
Major John Victor Kent landed in France on 21 August 1917 along with the 5th Canadian Divisional Artillery.
Major Kent granted 14 days Leave of Absence to England on 23 January 1918, later returning on 8 February 1918, less than a month before his death.
27 February 1918
A week before Kent’s death, Padre Latimer had his own close brush with death.
Captain Collinson went to Bobs OP with Padre Herbert James Latimer (attached since 28-01-18), in for a visit and to see the sights. A large splinter lit on the roadway near the pair, making a heavy thud. The Padre said, “Captain Collinson, did you hear that dud?”
61st Field Battery War Journal
4 March 1918
On the morning of 4 March 1918, the brigade heavily shelled from 05h22. The bombardment died down about 07h00. Major Kent killed by shrapnel while checking on his men. No other casualties recorded.
Chaplain Latimer described Major Kent’s death.
“I heard how it all happened from two of his own boys. Our guns had ceased firing and the Major turned to a Corporal and said “You had better go down now.” “Aren’t you coming too?” asked the Corporal. “Don’t worry about me – I’ll be all right, I am just going down here to see that the men are all under cover and I’ll be down in a few minutes.”
He proceeded down the trench but did not go many stops before a shrapnel struck him and he was now more.”
Padre Herbert James Latimer
Major Kent buried in the afternoon of the 5th with full military honours at Aix-Noulette. The funeral largely attended by men of the 5th CDA.
“He always looked after his men, and it was while doing so that he was killed.”
Lt-Col Edwin Gerald Hanson DSO
Original Grave Marker of Major Kent
Grave Marker – This photograph from an album belonging to Gunner George Cecil Kirk 2650878. The photograph taken by an unknown friend of Kirk’s who served in France. Captioned “Canadian Cemetery on Vimy Ridge.” Not dated, but likely taken between March 1918 and May 1919.
The grave marker shows: Major Victor J Kent 55th Bn 13th Bde, 5th C.D.A. Killed in Action March 1918 (day unclear in photograph).
Survived by is father, M J Kent, of 270, Central Avenue, London, Ontario, Canada.
Original 5th CDA Helmet of Major V J Kent
Major Victor John Kent’s name discovered by accident, inscribed inside the helmet in 2007.
Aix-Noulette Communal Cemetery and Extension
Aix-Noulette a village in the Department of the Pas-de-Calais, about 13 kilometres south of Bethune on the main road to Arras. From Arras take the D937 towards Bethune.
At Aix-Noulette, turn right at the church. The AIX-NOULETTE COMMUNAL CEMETERY and EXTENSION a few hundred metres on the left side of the road to Bully-Grenay.
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