| Surname: | Gent |
| Initials: | K A |
| Rank: | Pte A/LCpl |
| Army Number: | 7691170 |
| Notes: | CMP. From Rushden Northants. He enlisted in to CMP. 19/6/46 to discharge. 22/11/48 he was awarded the BEM, 1939-1945 Star, Africa Star with 8 army clasp, Italy Star, War Medal. Address:- 4 St. Peters Avenue, Rushden, Northants. BEM for gallant conduct in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner. Kenneth Arthur Kent. Extract from Northampton Mercury, 27/7/45. RUSHDEN MAN CHASED DESPERADO. For gallant conduct in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner. Pte (now acting L/Cpl) Kenneth Arthur Gent, Corps of Military Police of Rushden has been awarded the BEM, Military Division. The official citation states that on February 22, at a petrol depot near Naples, a man was caught obtaining petrol by false pretences. The unit telephoned for the Military Police and L/Cpl Gent and another NCO arrived in a jeep just as the prisoner made his escape from the unit escort. They both pursued and he turned and fires several shots from his revolver at them. After crossing a field on to the main road he went to a 15 cwt truck which was waiting and forced the driver out of the cab at the point of his pistol. The other NCO ran to the left hand door of the truck, but when a few feet away he saw the prisoner pointing his revolver at him and threw himself to the ground just as the shot was fired. Outstanding Bravery. Meantime L/Cpl Gent who had been the driver of the jeep and was a few yards behind the pursuit, saw all this taking place, including as it appeared to him the shooting of the NCO. He ran to the right hand side of the truck and after a struggle managed to knock the revolver from the mans hand and with the help of the other NCO overpowered him and and took him into custody. By utter disregard for his safety and knowing he was tackling a desperate character L/Cpl Gent exhibited outstanding bravery, concluded the citation. |
Decoration Record: | |
| Decoration: | British Empire Medal (London Gazette: 37185 Page: 3765 July 17, 1945) |
| Citation: | Italy. Citation for BEM: On the 22nd February, 1945, at a Petrol Depot near NAPLES, a Driver was caught obtaining petrol by false indents. The unit telephoned for the Military Police and Lance-Corporal Gent and another NCO arrived in a jeep just as the prisoner had made his escape from the unit escort. They both pursued him and he turned and fired several shots from his revolver at them. After crossing a field on to the main road, he went to a 15cwt truck which was waiting and forced the driver out of the cab at the point of his pistol. The other NCO ran towards the left hand door of the truck, but when a few feet away, he saw the prisoner pointing his revolver at him, and threw himself to the ground just as the shot was fired. Meantime, Lance-Corporal Gent, who had been the driver of the jeep and was a few yards behind in the pursuit, saw all this taking place, including, as it appeared to him, the shooting of the NCO. He ran to the right hand side of the cab, and after a struggle, succeded in knocking the revolver from the man's hand and with the help of the other NCO overpowered him and took him into custody. By his utter disregard of his personal safety, and knowing he was tackling a desperate character, Lance Corporal Gent exhibited outstanding bravery. National Archive WO 373/69.Pt.1. |