Philip Eric Bent
Details
| Forename | Philip Eric |
|---|---|
| Surname | Bent |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | 9th Bn |
| Biography | Educated at the Boys' Grammar School, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, and at the Royal High School, Edinburgh, Philip Bent joined the Marchant Navy in 1907. On the outbreak of the First World War he joined the Edinburgh University Battalion; in common with the many men enlisting, his war service began in October 1914 as a ranker with The Royal Scots. On 5.12.1914 he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in 9th Bn The Leicestershire Regiment. After 9 months of home-based training at Aldershot and Salisbury, 9th Leicesters proceded to France in July 1915. Promoted Lieutenant about March 1916 (antedated 6.6.1915), Captain 7.7.1916 (antedated 15.4.1916), and Major 30.8.1916 (antedated 13.7.1916). From 2 May-5 July 1916 he was a member of The Bedfordshire Regiment. Gazetted Acting Lieutenant Colonel 26.9.1916 and Temporary Lieutenant Colonel 1.2.1917 (antedated 26.10.1916). His service in 9th Leicesters included Bazentin Le Petit (14.7.1916), Guendecourt (25.9.1916), and Fontaine-lez-Croiselles (3.5.1917). He was awarded the D.S.O. in June 1917 (L.G. 4.6.1917). While commanding 9th Leicesters at Polygon Wood, near Ypres in Belgium, on 1.10.1917 he was killed in action. He was 26 years old. He was awarded a posthumous V.C. (L.G. 11.1.1918), the citation for which is 'For most conspicious bravery, when during a heavy hostile attack, the right of of his own command and the Battalion on his right were forced back. The situation was critical owing to the confusion caused by the attack and the intense artillery fire. Lieutenant Colonel Bent personally collected a platoon that was in reserve, and together with men from other companies and various regimental details, he organised and led forward to the counter attack, after issuing orders to other officers as to the further defence of the line. The counter attack was successful and the enemy were checked. The coolness and magnificent example shown to all ranks by Lieutenant Colonel Bent resulted in the securing of a portion of the line which was of essential importance for subsequent operations. This very gallant officer was killed whilst leading a charge which he inspired with the call of "Come on the Tigers".' He has no known grave and is commemorated on the memorial wall at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Belgium. His posthumous V.C., along with his D.S.O. (he had also earned two Mentioned-in-Despatches), was presented to his mother at Buckingham Palace on 2.3.1918. Mrs Bent presented her son's medals (VC, DSO, 1914 Star, British War Medal) and sword to his former Ashby-de-la-Zouch grammar school in 1923. In 1972 the medals were transferred to their present home at the Royal Leicestershire Regiment Museum. In the 1970s his sword, which for several years had hung in St Helen's Church, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, was stolen. |
| Date of Birth | 03/01/1891 |
| Date of Death | 01/10/1917 |
| Occupation | Merchant seaman |
