1st Bn RWF - St. Venant to Dunkirk 1940

[LES BENT]

My Dad has a signet ring (via his Dad) that once belonged to his Uncle, A. G. Bent MM. Family tradition says that it was the only thing his Uncle had left when he finally got off the beaches at Dunkirk. He was a 43 year old Lieut (QM?) at the time, having served with the RWF since joining them in 1913 at the age of 17. I've got a copy of the 1st Battalion war diaries for May and June 1940 from the National Archive and have been reading them in conjunction with the recent book 'Dunkirk' by Hugh Sebag-Montefiore.

I would appreciate any additional information concerning the battle fought by 1 RWF at St. Venant, and the subsequent withdrawl of the survivors to Bray Dunes. If anybody has any accounts, anecdotes, photos etc that they would be willing to write about or lend, again it would be much appreciated, particularly if they knew of my great-uncle.

Many thanks

Les Bent

[Aled Roberts]

I am away from my books Les, but from what I carry around with me regarding WWI :

Alfred George Bent born Birmingham the son of Polly Bent, of Mosley Street Birmingham enlisted in the RWF circa February 1915. Embarked for France 22nd February 1916.

He was wounded 20th November 1916 and as L/Cpl was awarded the MM for bravery in the field. He continued his service post war and was subsequently re-numbered 4179190 (By now RSM) and awarded the LSGC Medal in Appendix to Army Order 104 April 1934. He was discharged 14th November 1934.

QM relates to Quarter Master, So Quartermaster Lieutenant.

[LarsA]

And the reason for his discharge 1934 was his commission as Lt QM, London Gazette here

In 1952 his rank was Lieut-Col, QM

/Lars

[ap1]

Now that is war service!!!

Les do you have the war diaries scanned. It would be a great resource to have located in the Vault?

[bennyball2]

The Royal Welch Fusiliers have a dedicated monument at St Venant that was placed there a few years ago, relating to the courages action by the RWF. The comrades were there with the Standards, we were made very welcome when there.

[jungle1810]

Hello,
Swansea have been to Saint Venant for some 12 years to place wreaths on the RWF monument. They have b een accompanied by 4 or 6 branches over this period of time and all these branches have laid wreaths on these visits.
RBD

[LES BENT]

Many thanks to everyone who has sent in replies to my post. Regarding RW's post, I have a copy of A G Bent's service record, and there are some minor differences in a couple of the dates presented. Please see below an extract from the record:

Born 11 Dec 1897 in Birmingham
Enlisted 21 August 1915 at Wrexham age 17 yrs 8 months, joining RWF.
13 Jan 1916 to France with BEF, 9th Btn RWF
Awarded MM 16 August 1917
17 Jan 1919 joined 1st Btn RWF
Nov 1919 joined Depot RWF
June 1920 joined 7th Btn RWF
1 May 1936 joined 1st Btn RWF
29 September 1939 moved to France with 1st Btn RWF
2 June 1940, Dover, returned via Dunkirk.

From the War Diaries, the surviving members of 1st Btn RWF were evacuated from the beaches rather than the mole, M.T (motor transport?)party from Bray Dunes, Brigade Major's party from 'farther south'. The parties arrived there during the course of Friday 30 May. Intriguingly as they passed Ft Louis on the way to the beaches, 'every man with a rifle was stopped and ordered to cover the withdrawl of those without'. Last entry for May on 30 May states 'the majority were taken off on the 31 May and 1 June'.

From the War Diaries:
11 June 1940, Huddersfield, 'Lieut QM A. G. Bent MM joined the Battn from Wrexham'.

He was the last (of five) Officers recorded as arriving at Huddersfield. On 13 June 1940 the roll call revealed '5 Officers and 263 other ranks of the original 1st Battn which had formed part of the Northern Army'

As it happens my parents were visiting this weekend just gone, and I showed all this info and the posts and photo to my Dad, who was very, very interested. He said he only met his Uncle twice, and confirmed the story about the signet ring, adding that his Dad always said that Alf was one of the last off the beaches. Unfortunately A. G Bent died on 17 May 1955 at the age of 57. Apparently the funeral was at Wrexham and there was a big parade.

Thanks again to everyone who responded. I'll try and get the service record loaded up into your archive, but will have to track down direct descendents for permission to do this. Regarding the War Diaries, these are Crown Copyright, but if you can provide a postal address I will send a copy for non-commercial research or private study, and who knows where it might end up.

[ap1]

Interesting stuff Les, thank you. I return to the UK this weekend so I will have a look through Red Dragon(1919-1945), and see if there any further references to him.

Regarding the photo, I also have headshots of all those pictured. His pictured is annotated with his decorations, which include the MM already mentioned by Richard, but also make mention of an MBE and MID.

Thanks for the offer of the War Diaries, they will be of great use. I will send you my address by PM.

Best Wishes

Al

[LES BENT]

By the way, the other Officers mentioned in the War Diaries (I only got May/June) who returned via Dunkirk were:

Capt A. G ? Powell (B.M.T.O)
Lieut L. H. Owens (M.T.O)
2/Lieut A. C Dolby-Jones
2/Lieut J. D Willans

They arrived in Huddersfield on 6th June 1940.

Thanks again for all the posts and info so far

Les

[ap1]

As promised, just a couple of references Les.

In Red Dragon, during the retreat to Dunkirk. !7th May 1940:

LT Bent was waiting for the troops in the main square of Morbeck with a hot meal and a store of new equipment. As the men arrived they were given their meal and their worn out equipment replaced. It notes that although this was a wonderful tonic, they were unable to rest, and soon as they were fed, they continued their march on to their next withdrawal objective at Grammont. The Bn were under pressure and the enemy was rapidly closing on them.

In Regimental Records 1945-1969, Lt Col AG Bent MM MBE is listed as Adj and QM of 3rd Denbighshire and Flintshire Home Guard dated 1952-57. The Bn's HQ was at Poyser St, Wrexham. The CO was LT Col E Roberts OBE