Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

LATE JOHN BIRCHALL FENNER
On Friday afternoon at the age of 63, John Birchall Fenner passed away at his late residence, Alberton, after an illness of one week's duration. This is the fourth death to cast gloom over the little mining township in almost as  many days, all deceased being closely related to the above named : James Merrick (brother-in-law), Mrs. Fenner (wife) and Mrs. R. O. Baker (neice). The late J. B. Fenner was one of the best known and highly respected residents of the Ringarooma district, always taking a keen interest in public affairs, and for many years represented the Alberton ward in the Ringarooma Municipal Council, his number of years as treasurer being a record for that Municipality. For many years he followed mining, and was most optimistic as to the future of Alberton. He often pictured the future of this industry when the Hydro power lines should be extended to Tasmania's North-East. A sad feature of the switching-on of the power to Derby was that this should have taken place on the day he passed to the great beyond. A member of the 12th Battlion, A.I.F., he gave sterling service on Gallipoli and in France, his cheery personality endearing him to all. His war service to a big extent undermined his constitution, and he has suffered from its effects for many years. The funeral took place at the Alberton-Ringarooma  cemetery on Sunday afternoon a large and representative gathering paying their finaltribute of respect. Among those present were the Warden of Ringarooma (Cr. P. Stewart) and many Councillors ; Mr. Angus McKenzie (Launceston sub-Branch R.S.L.) ; G S. Parsons (Scottsdale sub-Branch) : and many of his brother diggers. Two sons, Walden and Jack, are left to mourn their double loss. Thus passes big John Fenner, a true Imperialist, a man as big of heart as stature, a man of high ideal, whose hand clasp was of itself a benediction ; a man loyal to all who made friends innumerable and never lost one.