George Bentley
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
George was the eldest son of George and Elizabeth Bentley and the brother of James A. (b. Edinburgh) and Dorothy (b. Nottingham). In 1901 George senior (37, b. Nottingham), a blacksmith's striker, Elizabeth and their three children, George (5), James (3) and Dorothy (3 months) were living at 79 Nottingham Road, Basford. The family was still at the same address ten years later in 1911. George senior was now a builder's carter. George was working as a lace packer and his two younger siblings were at school. His brother James (Jim) served in the King's Royal Rifles.
George served in France from 9 September 1915. He was killed in action and is buried in Flatiron Copse Cemetery (grave ref. 5.D.4). He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
It seems likely that the Private G Bentley whose letter is quoted in the following extract from Nottingham Evening Post of Thursday 9 March 1916 is 14993 Pte George Bentley, 13th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers, who was killed four months later: "Trench Comradeship. Messages from Robin Hoods at the Front. Writing to Mr FW Alvey, of Daybrook Institute, Pte G Bentley 13th Northumberland Fusiliers, says: ‘I received your cigarettes on the 24th and I am very grateful to you for them. I gave my mates some, and my word they enjoyed a hearty smoke. We have been talking of the happy times we spent in Nottingham. We are having very bad weather just now. Last Monday it snowed all day, and it’s still lying, and we are having some keen frosts too.’" (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, Roll of Honour, 14 August 1916: ‘Bentley. Killed in action, July 18th, Private George Bentley, Northumberland Fusiliers, in his 21st years, the dearly beloved and eldest son of Mr and Mrs G Bentley, 65, Nottingham-road. A noble life, an honourable death. Mother & father, Dorothy & Jim (KRR).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, Roll of Honour, 15 August 1916: ‘Bentley. Killed in action, July 18th, Private George Bentley, Northumberland Fusiliers, aged 20. Sadly missed by Dora.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
