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Oscar Bentley |
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Age 31 Married with 4 childrenPrivate
7022 Killed
in action on
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Oscar was born in
Welshpool, Montgomeryshire where his father, Edwin Bentley, was a
Corporal-Major in the Royal Horse Guards Blue.
After his father had died, Oscar along with his sister, two
brothers and mother moved to Blackpool when she remarried to a Mr Morris. Upon
leaving school Oscar enlisted into the 5th Lancers, serving for
approximately six years. He
met and married a Miss B Price of the Crown Hotel, Lytham. Together in search of work, the couple moved to Sabden
staying with Oscar's sister and brother-in-law, Mr & Mrs Ernest
Britcliffe, at their Whalley Road home.
Oscar found work in Messrs Steiner
and Co Printworks. When Mrs
Bentley became pregnant in 1911 the couple moved back to Blackpool,
residing in Brunswick Street. At
the outbreak of the war, Oscar, who was still a reservist, left his job as
head cellarman at the Clifton Arms Hotel, Blackpool and proceeded to
Woolwich to re-enlist. But
after being examined, Oscar was discharged as being medically unfit.
He returned to Blackpool, and at his own expense underwent a seven
week course of treatment. After
securing a Certificate of Fitness he wrote to the War Office asking for
his discharge to be rescinded, this was granted and he rejoined his
regiment in Dublin. After
re-training Oscar went out to France where he was soon wounded, but
re-joined the line after a few days recovery.
Having moved to Belgium, Oscar was severely gassed during the
Second Battle of Ypres. He
was taken to Woolwich Hospital and then on to Waterford Hospital, Ireland
to recuperate. When
he was declared fit, he returned to Marlborough Barracks, Dublin.
After only four weeks back on duty during the Easter uprising in
Dublin, Oscar
Bentley was buried at the Eastern Health Board Offices Grounds of
Kilmainham, County Dublin, Republic of Ireland. In
Sabden he has not been remembered on either the School or Church plaques. |
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