Sergeant Harry Bentley

Harry Bentley enlisted with The RAMC in December 1939. His records state he was a 'salesman' before joining the army. Harry was born in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, on the 26 of November 1917, to William Arthur Bentley and Lillian Storer Bentley (nee Lowe).

At the time of Harry’s birth his father William was employed as a Salesman Boot Trade and employed by S Hilton & Sons Ltd and his mother managed the home caring for Harry and his siblings Edith Mary, Percy James, and Reginald Bentley.

In 1939, aged 22, Harry like his father was employed as a Salesman in the Boot Trade and as a single man, was living at home in Carshalton, Surrey, with his father and his father's second wife Maud Winnifred G Bentley (nee O’shea).

At the outbreak of the Second World War, Harry enlisted for Military Service.

In 1942 at Edmonton, Middlesex, Harry married Lillian Maria Dickinson and they eventually settled in Kintbury, Berkshire, where they enjoyed many happy years of married life. Harry died in 1992 aged 75 and was survived by Lillian who died aged 89 in 2005.

Harry and Lillian did not have any children of their own, but showed great care and affection for their nieces and nephews.

Harry became a Sgt with the 181 Para Fd Amb and was second in command of the 2nd Bn S.Staffs HQ Coy RAP during Op Market Garden. He was a qualified Nursing Orderly Class 2. 

Harry was injured during the fighting and decided to stay behind to help care for the large number of injured men in his care. He was taken prisoner on 26 September 1944, by the Germans and held in Stalag XIb and given the POW number 118424. Harry returned to the UK in May 1945. Harry left the army 18 January 1946.

It is believed that Harry also served in operations in Sicily and Italy, before going to Arnhem in September 1944. 

Harry wrote diaries during his imprisonment, which provide a good insight to life as a POW. Harry was also a member of West Berks PRA. 

Malcolm Rowlands ex 1PARA and fellow member of West Berks PRA said this about Harry:

‘All serving and ex-airborne will mourn the losses at Arnhem, but also be grateful for those like Harry who survived against the odds and went on to live long and happy lives’