Lieut Col Charles E Bent was a Captain in the 93rd Cumberland Regiment at the outbreak of the War. He immediately volunteered for active service and as Adjutant of the 17th Battalion accompanied the First Division to England. On the breaking up of that Unit he took a draft over to the 13th Battalion arriving in France April 1915.

He reported for duty with the 15th Battalion and was given command of a Platoon. He became a Company Commander immediately after the fighting of Festubert 1915; Second in Command December 31 1915; and Officer Commanding the 15th Battalion in May 1916.

LCol Bent transferred from the 17th Bn (Nova Scotia) in 1915 and became Commanding Officer of the 15th Battalion (48th Highlanders) in May 1916 following the death of LCol W. R. Marshall, DSO. He served as CO through the battles of The Somme, Vimy Ridge, Hill 70, Passchendaele and Amiens, where he was wounded severely. He returned as CO in 1918 to the end of the war and brought the 48th Highlanders home to Toronto in 1919.

He served also in WWII from 1940 – 1943 as CO of the 3rd Pioneer Battalion, and 3rd (Reserve) Bn., Canadian Engineers.

In civilian life he was a farmer and customs collector.

He passed away 27 Oct 1955 (aged 75) and is buried in Fairview Cemetery, Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia.

NOK: Daisy Leda Bent Pugwash, NS