James Stafford Bent

The sons of John and Katherine, Bill and Jim Bent were brothers and they were the brother-in-laws of Mort White from Taunton Patrol. Originally from Birmingham the Bent family lived in Pear Close, Holcombe Rogus in 1921. He married Muriel Chapman in 1939.

Jim and Bill Bent had the task of distributing a lot of the equipment to the local Patrols in their own cars. Fortunately they were never stopped.

The Bent brothers owned Westleigh Quarries near Burlescombe and from 1934 also Rockbeare Quarry near Ottery St Mary. By the late 1930s Jim and Bill were both experienced quarrymen and exempt from call-up. Their specialised knowledge of explosives marked them out as potential leaders.

Both the Bent brothers were made 2nd Lieutenants in September 1943 and by stand down Jim Bent was a Lieutenant as a Group Commander with his brother Bill as 2nd Lieutenant and Deputy Group Commander. Lieutenant J.S. Bent was also granted the honorary rank of Lieutenant (Home Guard) on 1st July 1946 by the Berkshire Territorial Army Association at Reading.

Neil Bent, the son of Lieutenant Jim Bent recalled: “My father lived until he was 98 but never really shared his experiences with me until after my mother died. Like many people of that time, he was very modest about his work in the Unit. We don't think about it because the invasion, thankfully, never happened, but the reality is that if it had, we were prepared for it."
Jim recalled that they had Home Guard and 203 but not SOM (Somerset) on their arms and they wore home-made balaclavas.

He was an engineer and after joining the Auxiliary Units had a letter to go to Bristol for a interview with the Army, presumably to be called up. He was told to wear his uniform and was interviewed on his engineering knowledge and experience. They asked Jim who his Home Guard officer was to which he replied “as far as I know we haven’t got one”. He was told that he would hear from them in due course, but heard nothing concerning any call up. “I think it was the 203 on the sleeve” he explained in later years.

Jim had a certificate that stated : Lieutenant J.S Bent has been qualified to supervise the firing of live No 36 grenades by the Southern Command weapon training school, Devizes.