Spencer John Bent

Spencer John Bent (18 March 1891 – 3 May 1977) was an English soldier in the British Army. He received the Victoria Cross and the Military Medal for his service during the First World War.

Bent was born in Stowmarket, Suffolk. His mother died when he was young, and his father, a Royal Horse Artillery soldier, was killed during the Boer War. His uncle and aunt raised him. In 1905, at the age of 14, Bent enlisted in the East Lancashire Regiment as a drummer. His service number was 8586. He took part in battalion boxing competitions and acquired the nickname "Joe", which stayed with him throughout his military career.

Bent went to France on 22 August 1914 with the 1st Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment. He fought during the retreat from Mons and the battles along the Marne before his battalion moved north into Flanders.

During the First Battle of Ypres, Bent served near Le Gheer, Belgium. He repeatedly volunteered for dangerous duties under heavy enemy fire. On 22 and 24 October 1914, he carried small arms ammunition to forward positions through shellfire and rifle fire.

During the night of 1 to 2 November, an artillery barrage killed or wounded his officer, platoon sergeant, and section commander. Bent took command of the surviving men and held their trench position.

On 3 November, Bent entered no man's land to rescue wounded soldiers who were lying in the open. He saw Private McNulty wounded near a ruined convent. Bent moved across the exposed ground under rifle fire. Flying masonry struck him near the eye as he reached McNulty.

McNulty was unable to stand. Bent hooked his feet under the wounded man's armpits and dragged him about 25 yards back toward the trench, using his elbows. Soon afterward, gunfire and shrapnel wounded Bent in the leg, hands, arms, and head. He left the front and returned to England for treatment.

The London Gazette published Bent's Victoria Cross citation on 8 December 1914:

"For conspicuous gallantry near Le Gheer, on the night of 1/2 November 1914 when after his Platoon Sergeant and Section Commander had been struck down, he took command and with great presence of mind and coolness succeeded in holding the position. Drummer Bent had previously distinguished himself on two occasions, 22 and 24 October, by bringing up ammunition under heavy shell and rifle fire and again on 3rd November when he brought into cover some wounded men who were lying exposed in the open."

Bent learned about the award while recovering in Suffolk. He read about his Victoria Cross in a local newspaper. King George V presented him with the medal at Buckingham Palace on 13 January 1915.

Bent returned to active service in January 1917. He joined the 7th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment, as a sergeant and fought at Messines Ridge.

On 29 October 1918, near Sepmeries, Bent served as a company sergeant major. He led two reconnaissance patrols through heavy machine-gun fire to establish contact with the enemy. His actions earned him the Military Medal.

After the Armistice in 1918, Bent served overseas in the West Indies and Malta. He later received the service number 3377564 under the army's post-war renumbering system.

Bent retired from the army in 1926 as a Warrant Officer Class II after 21 years of service. He settled in London and worked as a school caretaker. He later worked for Courage Brewery and took part in local civil defence work during the Second World War.

Bent died in his sleep in Hackney, London, on 3 May 1977. He was 86 years old.