LORD ASHCROFT'S "HERO OF THE MONTH" LORD ASHCROFT'S "HERO OF THE MONTH" Drummer Spencer Bent VC - Initiative Drummer Spencer Bent VC - Initiative LORD ASHCROFT'S "HERO OF THE MONTH" DRUMMER SPENCER Jon Enoch/eyevine Drummer Spencer “Joe” Bent arrived in France on 22 August 1914, the first day of armed skirmishes TOP RIGHT: The medals of Drummer Spencer “Joe” Bent VC, MM. The Russian Cross of St. George can be seen on the far right. The full list of decorations BENT VC are Victoria Cross; Military Medal: 1914 Star, with clasp; British War and Victory Medals; Defence Medal; Coronation 1937; Coronation 1953; Army L.S. between Britain and Germany. He was 23 years old and had not enjoyed an easy start in life, but his & G.C.; Russian Cross of St George, 3rd class (LORD ASHCROFT COLLECTION) BOTH BELOW: A pair of drawings which depict one of the actions for which strength of character and temperament were soon to be on display. Drummer Bent was awarded the Victoria Cross. (HISTORIC MILITARY PRESS) ENT WAS born on 18 March platoon’s recently returned sergeant, injuries to both arms and hands and France and took part in the assault on DRUMMER SPENCER 1891, in Stowmarket, Suffolk. By who told him that no orders to retire had a head wound. He was sent back to Messines Ridge. Bthe age of ten, he was an orphan: been given. England, where he received several After being promoted to company JOHN BENT VC his father was killed during the Boer Bent immediately ran after some of months of medical care. sergeant major, Bent fought at the third War and his mother had also died. Bent his comrades to call them back and Bent only learned he had been awarded Battle of Ypres and then rejoined the 1st was largely brought up by his uncle encountered an officer who helped him the VC when he read about it in a local Battalion in time for the German Spring and aunt, who lived near Ipswich. round up the rest of the platoon. Early paper after his decoration was announced Offensive and the subsequent battles He was just 14 when he joined the next morning, the German infantry in The London Gazette on 9 December later in 1918, being awarded the Military Army in 1905 as a drummer in the 1st advanced towards the trench, clearly 1914. His citation identified four separate Medal on top of his VC. Battalion, the East Lancashire Regiment. believing that it had been abandoned. acts of bravery. Bent also received the Following the end of hostilities, When he boxed at lightweight in Army When they reached to within 400 considerable sum of £50 from an Ipswich Bent returned home in May 1919. He championships, he was christened “Joe”, yards, the British platoon’s machine- resident who had offered it to the first remained in the Army until 1926, leaving a corruption of “Chow” Bent, a well- gun and rifles opened fire, causing local man to receive the VC. with the rank of regimental sergeant known professional boxer of the time. the advancing infantrymen to run for Bent was the first man from his major after 21 years’ service. After the outbreak of the First World cover. However, before long the German regiment to be awarded the VC in the Bent, a married father of three, War, Bent accompanied his regiment to artillery launched a heavy, continuous First World War, receiving his decoration went on to work as a school caretaker, northern France and saw action at the bombardment, and the officer, platoon from George V at Buckingham Palace continuing part-time work until he Battle of Le Cateau. However, it was for sergeant and a number of the men were on 13 January 1915. At around the same was 85 years old. He died in his sleep his gallantry in the first Battle of Ypres killed or injured. Bent therefore took time, Bent was promoted to corporal. in Hackney, London, on 3 May 1977, that Bent was awarded his Victoria command and repelled several more He returned to France in the summer aged 86. Cross. His platoon was holding one of infantry attacks until he was relieved of 1916 and rejoined his old battalion I have huge respect for Bent’s initiative the front-line trenches near Le Gheer, later in the day. on the Somme, remaining there until in a crisis and his repeated courage, Belgium, after a ferocious day’s fighting This was just one of several courageous November when he again returned to and so I was delighted when I was able the previous day. actions by Drummer Bent in the autumn the UK to convalesce from rheumatic to purchase his gallantry and service On the night of 1/2 November, an of 1914. On 22 October, for example, fever. After recovering, he returned to medals at auction in 2000. exhausted Bent was trying to get some he had carried ammunition to a patrol sleep but he awoke to find his comrades that had been cut off by the Germans abandoning their positions. There was and, two days later, he brought food and VICTORIA CROSS no officer in the trench to give the ammunition to a front-line trench under order to withdraw, nor even a Non- heavy fire. HEROES Commissioned Officer (NCO) because On 3 November, he repeatedly risked LORD ASHCROFT KCMG PC is a the platoon’s sergeant was visiting an his life by venturing into no-man’s land Conservative peer, businessman, advance post. Yet, someone had passed to rescue several wounded men. One of philanthropist, author and pollster. INITIATIVE The story of Bent’s life appears in his word down the line that the battalion these was 25 to 30 yards from the British book Victoria Cross Heroes. For more THE MANY Victoria Crosses and George Crosses in the Lord had been ordered to retire. trench and, when Bent attempted to lift information, please visit: Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum in London are Bent started following the others, but him, the two men came under a hail of www.victoriacrossheroes.com displayed under one of seven different qualities of bravery. then decided he could not bear to leave enemy bullets. So, in order to get him to Lord Ashcroft’s VC and GC collection Drummer Bent’s Victoria Cross is part of the collection, and, is on public display at Imperial War Lord Ashcroft feels, falls within the category of initiative: his treasured French trumpet so he safety, Bent hooked his feet under the Museums, London. For more information “Difficult situations, which place lives under threat, require made his way back for it. When Bent private’s armpits and dragged the injured visit: www.iwm.org.uk/heroes. For quick decisions and clear solutions. Often those who act are reached the trench, he spotted a soldier, man as he edged backwards. details about his VC collection, visit: not in charge, but they take control. Confident, aware of raised his rifle and demanded that the Just days later, Bent himself was www.lordashcroftmedals.com what needs to be done, they are convinced they can pull it man, whom he assumed to be a German, seriously injured, sustaining a gunshot For more information on Lord Ashcroft’s work, visit: off. Someone has to act.” identify himself. It turned out to be the wound to his leg. By then, he also had www.lordashcroft.com. Follow him on Twitter: @LordAshcroft AGGRESSION•BOLDNESS•INITIATIVE•LEADERSHIP•SACRIFICE• SKILL•ENDURANCE www.britainatwar.com www.britainatwar.com.