THE VICTORIA CROSS AND CAMPAIGN MEDALS AWARDED TO REGIMENTAL SERGEANT MAJOR SPENCER BENT, EAST LANCASHIRE REGIMENT, HAVE BEEN SOLD AT AUCTION BY DIX NOONAN WEBB
28 June 2000


( select to enlarge )		 Medal entitlement of Regimental Sergeant Major Spencer Bent,
1st Bn, East Lancashire Regiment

  • Victoria Cross
  • Military Medal ( MM )
  • 1914 Star + clasp: "5th Aug-22nd Nov 1914"
  • British War Medal ( 1914-20 )
  • Victory Medal ( 1914-19 )
  • Defence Medal ( 1939-45 )
  • King George VI Coronation Medal ( 1937 )
  • Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal ( 1953 )
  • Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal
  • Cross of St George ( Russia )

The Victoria Cross and campaign medals awarded to Regimental Sergeant Major Spencer Bent, 1st Bn, East Lancashire Regiment, have been sold at auction by Dix Noonan Webb. The sale realised a hammer price of £80,000. The Spencer Bent Victoria Cross group was purchased by the Michael Ashcroft Trust, the holding institution for the Lord Ashcroft VC Collection and is on display in the Imperial War Museum's Lord Ashcroft Gallery.

For the award of the Victoria Cross

[ London Gazette, 9 December 1914 ], Le Gheer, Belgium, 1st - 2nd November 1914, Drummer Spencer John Bent, 1st Bn, East Lancashire Regiment.

For conspicuous gallantry near Le Gheer on the night of the 1st - 2nd November 1914, when, after his Officer, 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, 22nd and 24th October, by bringing up ammunition under a heavy shell and rifle fire, and again, on the 3rd November, when he brought into cover some wounded men who were lying exposed in the open.

Spencer Bent was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on the 13th January 1915

For the award of the Military Medal

[ London Gazette, 17 June 1918 ], For the award of the Military Medal, Colour Sergeant Major Spencer John Bent VC, 1st Bn, East Lancashire Regiment

In the fighting around the village of Sepmeries, East of Cambrai, Colour Sergeant Major Spencer Bent VC, for leading two patrols which were sent out to gain touch with the enemy on the afternoon of 29th October 1918.

Spencer John Bent, always known as 'Joe', died on the 3rd May 1977 in Hackney, East London, and was cremated at the West Norwood Crematorium.

Acquisitions

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Iain Stewart, 12 May 2012