Bentley, Alan Frank

Alan Frank 

Bentley

1920 - 1942
Aged23
Rank Sergeant
Service no.1310780
Born January 21, 1920
DiedSeptember 8, 1942

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About

About
Alan Frank
Bentley

Son of Frederick and Emmie Bentley. Gateway School 1931-34.

Wireless Operator/Air Gunner

In addition to bombing targets in Germany and occupied Europe, Bomber Command aircraft also carried out mine-laying operations in coastal waters. These were referred to as ‘gardening’ operations by the aircrews. Sergeant Bentley was one of the crew of Lancaster W4177 that failed to return from a mine-laying operation off the coast of the Frisian Islands. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 78.

Overlooking the River Thames on Cooper’s Hill in Runnymede, Surrey, is Runnymede Memorial, sometimes known as the Air Forces Memorial. The memorial commemorates more than 20,000 airmen and women who were lost in the Second World War during operations from bases in the United Kingdom and North and Western Europe who have no known grave.

KEY FEATURES

  • The memorial commemorates the men and women of the air forces of the Commonwealth who were lost in air and other operations over western Europe during the Second World War
  • Designed by Sir Edward Maufe, it is made of Portland stone and consists of a shrine embraced by a cloister
  • The shrine is adorned with three stone figures by Vernon Hill representing Justice, Victory and Courage
  • The engraved glass and painted ceilings were designed by John Hutton and the poem engraved on the gallery window was written by Paul H Scott
  • The memorial was unveiled on 17 October 1953 by Queen Elizabeth II.