Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

FENTON Robert Samuel 952 PTE
5th Battalion
1891-1976

Robert Samuel Fenton’s grandfather, Samuel Jeremiah Fenton, operated a general store on the site of the Violet Town Post Office in the early 1890s, selling anything from household goods to farming equipment. Not all farmers had ready cash and Fenton allowed credit which finally sent him bankrupt. Later on he worked as a rate collector.  His son, Sydney Merton Bruce Fenton married Margaret Davie, raising five children of whom Robert Samuel, born in 1891, was the eldest. Margaret died in 1909 and her sister Caroline looked after the family. In 1911 Caroline and Sydney were married and had one more daughter also called Caroline.

Robert worked as a draper, perhaps being employed in Beaufort as that is where he enlisted on 17 August when he was 23. He was drafted into the 5th Battalion and sailed for Egypt  in October. After some time in hospital in Heliopolis, suffering from rheumatism and tonsillitis, he returned to his unit and took part in the Anzac landing on 25 April 1915 as part of the second wave.  He had not been in action long when he received a gunshot wound to the right hand and was sent to the AGH at Heliopolis.  From there he was invalided home to Australia aboard HMAT Kyarra for discharge. Arriving back home according to the Euroa Advertiser dated 30 April 1915 he ‘met with a great reception at Violet Town Railway Station…where Mr Slee in a neat speech welcomed him and called for hearty cheers for the gallant lad and his family…he bears the marks of battle on his cheek and right hand…’

Two years later the army re-assessed his injuries and as a result he re-enlisted and returned to duty aboard HMAT Ulysses bound for Plymouth where he arrived on 28 December 1916. He was appointed Canteen Staff Sergeant.  

Returning from the war Robert married Winifred Susannah Massey in 1919.  A son Frederick Bruce Fenton was born in 1920 and a daughter Joyce Winifred Fenton was born in 1922. In 1924 when Robert and Winifred divorced, Bruce as he preferred to be called, aged four, was raised by his grand-father in Violet Town. The name of the house was Hazeldene.  Joyce remained in her mother’s care.  Bruce married and had three sons – Robert Bruce, Gary Basil and Anthony John.

On returning from the war Robert joined the Master Butcher Supplier’s Association where he remained until his retirement in the 1960s. He was a well-respected and dedicated employee. He and his second wife Ella lived in Brighton until his death in 1976. There were no children.

Medals:  1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.

Robert’s name appears on:      St Dunstan’s Anglican Church Honour Roll
                                                      Main Honour Roll, Memorial Hall, Violet Town
                                                      Violet Town State School Honour Roll

Tree No 58 was planted in 1917 by Mr Carter.

It was still standing in 2013 when the Avenue was re-instated.

© Sheila Burnell, December 2015