David Bentley was born in Warwick Township, Ontario, on December 16, 1864, the son of John Bentley (of Yorkshire, England) and Julia Ann (nee Rogers) Bentley. His siblings included George Albert (born 1867); Annie Louise (born 1869); William Joseph (born 1870, he would become a dentist, serving with the Canadian Army Dental Corps ); and John Rogers (born 1873). David attended public school in Woodstock, then Woodstock College and Trinity Medical College 1887. David would marry Ellen Evelyn (nee Allen) in November 1890, in Toronto. David graduated in medicine from the University of Toronto in 1891. David and Ellen would have three children together: Othel (born 1891); Albert William (born 1893); and David Walter (born 1900). David Bentley would live in Oil Springs and Forest, before settling in Sarnia in 1894. A physician who practiced medicine in Sarnia, he was a member of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. David would have a second marriage, to Alice Shaw (nee Shepherd) in October 1906, in St. Mary’s, Ontario. David, Alice and family resided at 195 Wellington Street, Sarnia. The couple would have one child together, Margaret Alice (born 1907).
David enlisted at the age of forty-nine in the First Contingent on September 23, 1914 at Valcartier Camp, Quebec. He became a member of the Canadian Army Medical Corps, 2nd Field Ambulance, with the rank of Major. He went overseas in October 1914, first spending several months stationed at Salisbury Plains, England. In late November 1914, he wrote a letter home to A.F. McVicar, a friend of his in Sarnia. Following is a portion of that letter:
November 28, 1914
Dear Friend Alf,
….I am sitting on my sleeping bag in my tent, one of those hospital tents, and by the way they are pretty comfortable, not withstanding the fact that the weather conditions are bad, rain nearly every day and mud, very bad around the camp. The Downs or Plains, are ideal for training purposes…land is very rolling, hills and valleys making it ideal for all sorts of training for every branch of the service, artillery, cavalry, infantry, etc.. Weather conditions have interfered very materially with the training, but all are keen for business and very little grumbling is ever heard.
At present we are acting as a clearing hospital for two brigades. We only keep patients for four days and all who are not fit are sent to a general hospital. We have ten ambulance wagons and about fifteen G.S. wagons, about 260 men and 11 officers, so you can judge about the amount of road space we take up when on the march. I am in command of B Section…
This is a great life, there being just enough variation to it to prevent it becoming monotonous. If we get across the channel I am sure we will find less comforts than at present. Most of the medical work so far is being attended to in
this country as the wounded can be brought over within 24 hours or 48 hours and I believe some are in hospitals
within a few hours of their being brought back from the firing line.
Yours very truly, Major D.B. Bentley
In early January 1915 while still in England, David would write a letter to his wife Alice Bentley in Sarnia about his holiday time there. The following is an excerpt from that letter:
January 10th, 1915
I found one of your letters waiting for me on my return from holiday…. Capt. Fraser and I went to London and spent New Year’s Eve at the Savoy. I sent you their social calendar, which shows a picture of how the last night of the year is spent by society in London. Dinner began about 11 p.m. after which or during which the fun began, all sorts of bon bons (as noisy as firecrackers) being pulled, and grotesque headgear, etc., resulting. All were soon properly decorated, and all were soon friends. A delightful orchestra in every dining room enlivened the place. Then all adjourned to the beautiful ballroom, where the most beautiful women with most exquisite gowns were in crowds. I had only two dances, but such a crowd. On the following day we proceeded to Birmingham, where we stayed with friends of Capt. Fraser… Here we had a most enjoyable, old-fashioned, home-like visit, in a splendid old English home, with such comfortable rooms, cheery fireplaces, hot water heating and too much to eat….
On Sunday night we went to Edinburgh, which we found in such a fog that our pleasure there was not so great. However, we saw through the castle and did a little running around, staying at a splendid hotel…. On our return, we found to our surprise that our camp had been deserted, and new quarters taken in a grand old manor…. Two of our sections (200 men), are now conducting a hospital, with good large rooms, well heated, grates and hot water radiators, clean and comfortable….
David and his unit would be moved to France in early February 1915. The following is a letter that he wrote to his wife Alice, upon his arrival in France:
Sunday, February 14, 1915
S.S. City of Dunkirk
Here we are on the coast of France at St. Navaire, after being on board since Tuesday night. We embarked at Avenmouth, near Bristol and had a rather rough voyage. Fortunately I was one of the few who was not seasick and never missed a meal. It would appear that we are due to remain on board until midnight as the tide is out and several other troop ships are in port ahead of us waiting. This is a cattle boat and accommodation rather limited for officers, but we managed to get on ok. Our men of course had their blankets and had to do as best they could on the floors between decks. Our horses came through in very good condition, but the poor animals have had no chance to lie down. Where we will go of course is not known, but the whole contingent will be here and will likely have some weeks or longer on the lines of communication before seeing the trenches. At present we are anchored in a bay within sight of a town.
Our last month has been a very comfortable one as far as housing is concerned and about which I have written rather fully. We are in hopes that letters written on the boat will reach you earlier than if we waited until ashore. We are rather a long way from where Will is but may go in that direction. Our men are in good condition and will be ready for any emergency. Being pretty well up in the seniority list, I had a good place to sleep on the trip. It was too rough to get about on the ship very much, but I managed to take one look around and found many who were quite done up with sickness. However, all are around this morning and look quite recovered. Many kept quiet and did not appear for meals, but say they were not ill. Our whole unit are on the boat together with some artillery and the headquarters staff of the Highland Brigade.
As there is nothing very important about which to write on a short voyage like this, I will close with love to all at home who will be glad to know that we have not been exposed to submarines and have reached terra firma again.
D.B. Bentley
In early February 1915, David’s brother William Joseph Bentley, who was also with the No. 2 Canadian Stationary Hospital, wrote a letter to his friend H. Gorman in Sarnia. The following is a portion of that letter:
February 8, 1915 Le Touquet, Boulogne Base, France
Dear Sir,
I wish to tender my personal thanks for the copies of the Observer. It is certainly a source of much satisfaction, I can assure you, to us members of this corps from the home town to receive them…. I am glad to say that the Sarnia quota
are all in the very best of health and in excellent spirits. Our hospital is a credit to the Dominion… While it is not as large and commodious as some of the others, nevertheless it enjoys the reputation of being one of the most thoroughly equipped in France. We provide accommodation at the present time for three hundred patients… Since opening we have taken care of a large number of wounded. Many of the cases have proven most interesting from a professional standpoint and the success of numerous operations performed have reflected much credit upon the status of our Medical Officers. We were recently honored by a visit from H.R.H. Prince of Wales… He expressed himself as being most favorably impressed with what he saw. Even the minutest detail was not slighted during his tour of inspection, every ward being visited.
I might also mention the fact that following the futile attacks of the enemy upon the Allies’ lines on the anniversary of the Kaiser’s birthday, we have had the first prisoners of war interned in our hospital. Subsequently they were transferred via hospital ship to England from Boulogne base, as soon as favorably convalescent to warrant them taking passage across the channel.
Life while on active service is one strenuous demand in the discharge of duties. We are kept constantly on the “go” to use a common expression. Ambulance trains are continually arriving from “rail head,” at irregular and intermittent periods, in fact any hour of the day or night, we never can tell, as we get but brief notice in advance of their coming, possibly a half an hour at the extreme, that is all. Therefore it may be seen that we are required to hold ourselves in readiness at all times, in order to be able to take care of all emergencies…
Sincerely yours, W. J. Bentley
The following is a letter sent in late March 1915, by Captain John MacDonald of the Army Medical Corps in France to his parents Mr. and Mrs. A.E. MacDonald who were living on South Brock Street, Sarnia. The letter makes reference to Major David Bentley and describes the process of handling the wounded at No. 2 Stationary Hospital, First Canadian Expeditionary Force, Le Touquet, France.
March 28th, 1915
Dear Father and Mother,
I received your letter of February 24 a day or so ago and was more than delighted to get it and know that all are well. We receive our mail quite regularly, a noncommissioned officer being to go to Bontogne daily for that purpose. Our Canadian mail comes in about two weeks, although I have known some mail to come in thirteen days. We have now been in France almost five months. About the first of December, we came here and converted a large hotel into one of the finest Field hospitals in France, and have been busy constantly ever since. In your letter you ask how we handle the wounded etc. Well, I will endeavour to give you a brief outline of the way we do it.
When a train load of wounded arrive, the ambulance drivers are immediately warned for duty, also the squad for duty at the train and when ready leave for the station, some distance away. Meanwhile the hospital is got in readiness for the reception of the wounded. Hot cocoa and oxo are prepared in the kitchen and by the time the first ambulance arrives the sisters have the wards prepared. The patients are transferred from the ambulance to the reception room where the registrar gets all particulars concerning the patient, such as name, rank, age, regiment, length of service, religion etc. They are then removed to the wards; by the way, we have ten wards, each bearing the name of a Canadian province. Ontario being the officer’s ward.
On arriving in the ward, the orderly removes all the patients clothing which is often torn and covered with mud and blood, and gives him a bath, then the patient receives medical attention. Often the wounded present a pitiful appearance, men with frightful wounds, covered with mud, but full of pluck and very seldom, even a murmer comes from them although they are suffering terrible pain in many cases, We have had very few deaths among the patients, thanks to the constant attention and good nursing care of the sisters, and the skillful surgery and treatment by the physicians. Often bullets and splinters are located by means of the x-ray. When I see a man all smashed up I wonder that he is alive at all, so bad are some of his wounds.
Capt. Bentley is kept busy looking after “Tommy’s” teeth, and has a beautiful dental office fitted up with field dental instruments. Staff Sergeant C. Luscombe, Sergt. Jack Smuck and Corp. S. Battley are all well and kept busy. I may add that the rumor of Jack Ward ’s death was unfounded and Jack is very much alive. Corporal Battley is now in the wards and is acquiring a great deal of valuable information in surgery.
I heard indirectly from Maj. D.B. Bentley a short time ago and the major was quite well. I was in Bologne a short time ago and saw a London man, Sergt. Murray, who is attached to the post office department. Last night a large bundle of Observers arrived for me per kindness of Mrd. McGibbon who sends a bundle about every two weeks. I can assure you they looked good to me; after reading them I pass them on to the rest of the boys.
Hoping to hear from you soon, believe me. Yours lovingly,
J.A. MACDONALD
NOTE: The other soldiers of No. 2 Stationary Hospital referred to in the above letter were:
Captain Bentley – (later Lieutenant Colonel) is William Joseph Bentley, who was David’s brother, also born in Lambton County. He was a dental surgeon with the Canadian Army Dental Corps.
Sergeant Major John Crawford Luscombe – born in Sarnia (son of James Luscombe), he survived the war.
Lance Sergeant John (Jack) Wesley Smuck – born in Point Edward (son of Emily Smuck), he survived the war, however his brother David Radcliffe Smuck did not.
Corporal Sinclair Battley – service #34267, he survived the war
Lance Corporal Jack Ward – born in Courtright (son of Joseph E. Ward of Sarnia), he survived the war.
In April 1915, Private John Carolan, of Sarnia, would write a letter home describing how he owed his life to Dr. Bentley. Pte. Carolan was hit on April 23 at Ypres. He was with his unit of the 1st Battalion rushing to fill a breach in British defence lines, when he declared he felt a burning pain in his head. The Observer covered the story in October of 1915. The following is a portion of that story:
Shot through the head during the hottest part of the engagement of Canadian troops at Ypres, Pte. John Carolan of Sarnia, declares he owes his life to Dr. Bentley. When Carolan was carried to the rear, among hundreds of others who had fallen under the grueling fire from the enemy’s guns, practically unconscious from the loss of blood and exposure on the battlefield, about the first face he recognized was that of Dr. Bentley. “Why that’s one of my boys” Carolan says he remembers coming form the doctor’s lips through the haze. Dr. Bentley at once gave Carolan the immediate attention that was needed if his life was to be saved. The result of that attention is that Carolan is now well on to the road to recovery. The wounds in his skull, where the bullet entered and plowed its way out, are practically healed, and give him little trouble he says, although at times there is a burning and almost unbearable pain in his head. His left arm is partly paralyzed, but this too, doctors have declared, will be better in time.
John Carolan, who was born in Ireland and lived for many years in Africa and the East. After being wounded, John was honourably discharged and returned to Canada.
In late April 1915, while still in France, Major David Bentley would write another letter home to his wife Alice. The following is a portion of that letter:
April 30th, 1915
My Dear Alice,
You have no doubt read of this terrific battle in which our good Canadian troops played such an important part. It is impossible for me to describe just what our brave men did. I had been waiting fro several days for leave… when this sudden battle began. I am glad indeed that I had not got away for our experience was one which we may never again witness. I was at the main dressing station and during the four days there passed through our hands an average of 600 wounded daily. I worked through it all and was able to give attention to a great number. I had two tables going all the time and had one patient being prepared while attending to another. This went on for hours and hours without let up. Two or three other officers were doing similar work, so you can imagine how fast they were cared for. Some of our officers and all of our bearers were at advanced dressing stations and in the trenches caring for and removing the wounded back. We had three of our men killed, 15 men wounded but no officers killed or wounded. Considering the severe character of the fighting it is really miraculous that our casualties were not greater. Our men worked unceasingly and bravely through it all and gave us every reason to be proud of them. James Mair and Sidney Smith, both from Sarnia, are among the wounded, and have been sent down to the base – neither are so far as I can learn, serious. As you will have read the Germans poured poisonous gases into the trenches, which rendered fighting very difficult, but it did not prevent our men from saving the situation and earning them the praise and gratitude of the British Empire.
At present we are some miles back in the country, giving our men a much needed rest for a few days. We are living in a field and bivouacking. I have a large tarpaulin for a tent, which is simply a pole with a water proof covering over it…. Since coming here we have been sleeping, cleaning up and taking our ease and I can assure you all very much needed the change after five days and nights of constant strain. When not working we could not rest for we were shelled out of every place we were in and some of the buildings which we occupied as dressing stations are now in ruins. It is feared that our last mail was burned, as our post office was set on fire by an incendiary shell and no trace so far has been found of it. Hoping to soon write you from England.
Yours lovingly, D.B. Bentley
During his three months in France, David Bentley would serve on the front lines between Armentieres and Ypres, and then through the Second Battle of Ypres, Belgium in which he was slightly gassed. By the early part of May 1915, David Bentley returned to England, where he was appointed to the command of the Canadian Convalescent Hospital, Monk’s Horton Hospital, in Kent. He wrote a letter to his wife Alice to inform her of the news. The following is a portion of that letter:
London, May 4, 1915
My Dear Alice,
Just a few lines today to let you know that I am back in England and have orders to proceed to Shorncliffe tomorrow afternoon to take command of and to complete the organization of the Canadian Convalescent Camp. I received a very warm reception this morning when I presented myself to the General, due there is no doubt, to the fact that he has received none but good reports of the efficient work of the Canadian Field Ambulances in the recent engagements in Belgium. I have gone over all the correspondence having a bearing on the work of organization and find that although a lot has been done there still remains much to be done to complete the organization. I hope to be able to call to my assistance several of my old officers and N.C.O.’s, particularly those who have already done good service under trying conditions and have earned a change. I have another reason to hope for this as it will make way for some of the officers of the later contingents to get nearer to the firing line where they will be better able to redeem the good name of their native land as some are reported to have said they intend doing.
This afternoon I took a trip out a few miles to see another convalescent home for Canadian officers, which has just been opened out at Bromley Park Hotel, Kent…. The city is still kept pretty dark at night, but the general gaity indoors keeps up pretty well. Most of the men in khaki that one sees however have a decided limp or are carrying an arm in a sling. I somehow felt as if I should find a quiet corner and keep in the shade as I have no sign of having gone through the horrors of war. I can tell a remarkably thrilling story however, if necessary, but so far I have not been challenged to say why I am here. With love to yourself and the children.
Yours lovingly, D.B. Bentley
In June 1915, David Bentley wrote a letter home to his friend Mr. Gorman in Sarnia, describing the Canadian Convalescent Hospital, in Kent. Its purpose was to accept all convalescent Canadians from the many different hospitals in France and England, and to care for them. The following is a portion of that letter:
Monks Horton, Kent, England, near Hythe, June 20th, 1915
My Dear Mr. Gorman,
…we are now serving our mother land and camping on the grounds where the Royal Canadian regiment wee camped 57 years ago. The old Cinque Ports are still interesting places and the old forts and canals still remain, though of no military value today…. The old Roman road from Hythe to Canterbury runs past this estate and I often think how nice it would be if we could exchange some of these old roads for the paved street in Sarnia which has to be taken up every winter and laid again in the spring…
The hospital is one which will most probably develop to immense proportions as it is intended as a clearing house for all Canadian sick and wounded who are ready to leave the ordinary hospitals in all parts of the British Isles, but are not as yet fit for duty. Here they will receive further treatment, will be fed, comfortably housed or tented, given such work or recreation as each individual case demands until such time as it is decided that they are again fit for duty or should be otherwise disposed of. We are being provided with indoor and outdoor games and the estate is one which lends itself admirably to all sorts of outdoor enjoyment. There are beautiful hedges, wooded areas, fine gardens and everything which goes to make one enjoy living…. We hope to have a number of motor vehicles in time with which to entertain our boys who so well deserve all the comfort which can be given them. Even now we seldom go on a business trip without taking one or more of them along for a motor ride…
Already we have had splendid results from this country life to poor chaps who came to us in very nervous conditions
due to the effect of wounds and the shock of continued exposure to shell fire, and we hope to do great benefit to many more who might otherwise do badly….
Yours very truly, D.B. Bentley
In August 1915, David Bentley’s wife Alice and their children Othel, Albert and David Junior arrived in England. In September 1915, David wrote a letter to his friends Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Chittick in Sarnia. The following is that letter:
Malvern House, East Park Terrace, Southampton, August 18, 1915.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Chittick,
I wish to thank you for your thoughtful remembrances. Mrs. B. and the youngsters had a very nice voyage and got by without meeting any “tin fishes”. I met them at Liverpool and we came direct to this place. This town is quite a pretty place in which to live and our windows look out on one of its many pretty parks. It is only a short run by boat from here to the Isle of Wight. There are also some large Forest Parks not far from here, numerous military camps, remount depots with horses and mules by the thousand. There is a good “tram car” service and train service to all the places of interest near by.
We get a lot of rainfall here, and although the heat is not so great as at home the humidity of the atmosphere makes one feel rather lazy. David is not particulary pleased by the remarks which he hears passed about his bloomers. All the boys here, or nearly all, wear tight fitting long trousers. So he is quite an attraction. As the only Canadians in this town are my own small staff, we are quite conspicuous. English people however, have an unbounded respect for Canadians, as they all know the good work done by the mistrusted and unjustly criticized “First Canadian Contingent”
With love, yours very truly, D.B. Bentley
In August 1915, Major David Bentley was appointed to command the Canadian Medical Stores, Base Depot, in Southampton, England. In mid-August 1915, David wrote a letter home to his friends A.B. Johnston and Alex J. Kelly in Sarnia. The following is an excerpt from that letter:
August 18, 1915
My Dear Friends,
Just a few lines to let you both know where I am and what I have been doing. The fortunes of war have now placed me as O.C. of the Canadian Medical Stores, Base Depot, Southampton, with a small unit made up of a quartermaster, one staff sergeant, two coporals and five men. Our work here is to assemble all technical, medical and ordnance equipment for Canadian hospitals going overseas….
My office is in the docks and here we see troops passing through daily, the train being run into the docks and the troops at once placed on board the numerous transports in waiting. We don’t ask questions or give information as to how many there are or as to their destination, but we know and see the best troops obtainable in the world passing on their way to do battle with our enemies in all parts of the war zone. Were it not for the presence of so many khaki uniforms one would scarcely know there was a war on. In this port too, we see numerous hospital trains daily coming to meet the hospital ships, take on their load of wounded and depart for the numerous hospitals in all parts of the British Isles…. The organization of the medical service from the firing line back to the hospitals in England is well high perfect, and I have had an opportunity of observing it from both extremes….
I hope some day to have an opportunity of giving you an account of some of our experiences during the last few days of April in Ypres, Brielen, Vlanenturghe and Poperinghe. It was one of the grandest and most terrific exhibitions of fireworks which I ever witnessed for with every explosion there was something happening either overhead, or around us. To attempt to write about it is rather a huge task. Give my regards to all the old boys.
Yours very truly, D.B. Bentley
Major David Bentley had never been well since being in France, but was always able to look after his duties. About the middle of December 1916, he consulted a specialist who sent him to the Royal Victoria Military Hospital at Netley, where he remained for some weeks but did not improve much. After spending a few days with his family he was sent to a Canadian Hospital at Ramsgate in mid-February 1917. For a few weeks his condition seemed to have improved. However, by the first of April he developed pneumonia which he was not able to throw off. During the last weeks he longed for his home in Sarnia. On April 5, 1917, he died at Granville Hospital, Ramsgate, Kent,
England. At David’s bedside when he passed were his wife Alice, their daughter Margaret (age 10), his son David Jr. (age 17) and his brother Capt. William J. Bentley. The cause of death was officially listed as, Nephritis Chr. And Lobar Pneumonia. David Benjamin Bentley was awarded the following medals: The British War Medal, the Silver Memorial Cross and the 1914-1915 Star. Fifty-two year old Doctor David Benjamin Bentley is buried at Ramsgate and St. Lawrence Cemetery, Kent, United Kingdom. Grave LA.657. He was laid there with full military honours – a large firing party of perhaps 300 from the Queen’s Regiment fired a salute. The “Last Post” was sounded by the Queen’s Buglers.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, L, N, 2C, 2D, 2G