Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 10 February 1940

Eight Years In Navy

Now and again the German radio announcers have decided they had better sink a certain British battleship. It must be wishful thinking. Certainly they must crave to get rid of the ship if all its crew are of the quality of Petty Officer Richard Bentham, son of Mr. and Mrs. F. Bentham, 22, Helena Street, Mexborough.

He has been in the Navy eight years and likes it as much in war as he did in peace. He served three years in China and three in the Mediterranean.

Richard attended the Bridge Street School. Swinton. and was a member of the Swinton (1st Doncaster) Troop of Boy Scouts. He is an exceptionally good swimmer and used to be one of the most regular performers at Wath Baths.

His sister, Mrs. Kathleen Reed, now of Newcastle-under- Lyme, is serving with a mobile nursing unit and is expecting to be ordered overseas shortly.