Major Victor Kent Memorial Plaque
Municipality/Province: London, ON
Memorial number: 35042-054
Type: Plaque
Address: 472 Richmond Street
Location: Inside the St. Paul's Cathedral
GPS coordinates: Lat: 42.985534 Long: -81.2504349
Submitted by: Richard Turcotte
This plaque is dedicated to the memory of Major Victor John Kent.
Victor John Kent was born on 21 January 1883 in London Ontario. Following his studies, he entered the Royal Military College in Kingston and graduated in 1902 with a degree in civil engineering. He worked in this field for a number of years before enlisting on 6 March 1916 in Guelph where he was appointed Officer Commanding 56th Battery. The latter unit recruited primarily from the Ontario Agricultural College and was often called the OAC Battery.
The 56th Battery embarked for England on 13 September 1916, arriving 9 days later. Stationed at Witley Camp, near Aldershot, on 22 January 1917 the battery was absorbed into the 55th Battery and 66th Battery as the Canadian field artillery batteries were reorganized from 4 guns to 6 guns each. As a result, Major Victor Kent became the Officer Commanding 55th Battery. After months of training, 55th Battery arrived in France in August 1917 where it was attached to 13 Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery, part of the 5th Division artillery.
On 4 March 1918, Major Victor John Kent was hit by shrapnel while directing his men to take cover during an artillery barrage. He is buried at Aix-Noulette Communal Cemetery Extension, west of Lens, France.
Inscription found on memorial
In loving memory of
Major Victor John Kent,
who was in command of the
55th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, C.E.F.
Killed in France, March 4th, 1918
Aged 35 years
Only surviving son of Malcolm J. and Annie L. Kent
He died that others might live.
Street view
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