| Regimental number | 3007 |
| Place of birth | Pateley Bridge, West Riding, Yorkshire, England |
| School | Summer Bridge Public School, and Western College, Harrogate, England |
| Age on arrival in Australia | 16 |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Occupation | Mechanic |
| Address | Sherwood, Barnsby Grove, Dulwich Hill, New South Wales |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 20 |
| Next of kin | Father, E Bentley, Barnsby Grove, Dulwich Hill, New South Wales |
| Previous military service | Served in the Senior Cadets (4 years); 34th Australian Infantry Regiment (2 years); 33rd Australian Infantry Regiment, Citizen Military Forces (1 year). |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Liverpool, New South Wales |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 2nd Battalion, 10th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/19/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A69 Warilda on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Lance Corporal |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 54th Battalion |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Place of death or wounding | Fleurbaix, France (Battle of Fromelles) |
| Date of death | |
| Age at death | 21 |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 21 |
| Place of burial | Rue-Du-Bois Military Cemetery (Plot I, Row F, Grave No. 42), Fleurbaix, France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 158 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Edward and Emma BENTLEY, 159 Livingstone Road, Marrickville, New South Wales. Native of England |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Joined 2nd Bn and reverted to the rank of Private, Tel el Kebir, 21 January 1916. Promoted Lance Corporal, 21 January 1916. Transferred to 54th Bn, 14 February 1916; joined 54th Bn, Tel el Kebir, 16 February 1916. Admitted No 14 Field Ambulance, Tel el Kebir, then transferred to No 2 Australian Stationary Hospital, Tel el Kebir, 3 March 1916 (pyrexia, unknown origin); to No 4 Hospital Train, 4 March 1916; to No 1 Australian General Hospital, Cairo, 4 March 1916 (influenza); discharged to duty and marched in Overseas Base, Cairo, then marched out from Overseas Base and rejoined unit, Tel el Kebir, 17 March 1916. Admitted to No 14 Field Ambulance, Ferry Post, 24 April 1916; discharged to duty, 25 April 1916. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916. Posted missing, 19/20 July 1916. Previous report of missing now, 28 July 1916, to be reported as 'Killed in Action, 19/20 July 1916. Statement, Red Cross File No 350806, 1903 Sergeant A.A.J. ANTROBUS, 54th Bn (patient, Northants War Hospital, Duston, England), 3 November 1916: 'Informant states that on July 19th at Fleurbaix, Two (sic) mates of his saw L/Cpl. W. Bentley killed and it was reported back to the Regiment. It was night time near Fleurbaix. We made an attack and he had got over the first line of German trenches but we had to retire.' Note on file: 'No trace Germany. Cert by Capt Mills. 10.10.19.' Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, BENTLEY William
Red Cross file 350806 |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
