Sergeant 566320 George Lewis Dent, 229 Squadron was born on 30th November 1916, one of seven children of Private George William Dent and Ada Mary nee Boreham. George senior served in the Great War as Private 202808 George William Dent, 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment and died on 13th November 1919 at Cannock Chase Military Hospital. He is also buried in Lavenham Cemetery.
George entered the Royal Air Force in 1939 and following training was posted to Hurricane equipped 229 Squadron at RAF Digby, Lincolnshire. An important roll for the squadron was in convoy patrols and, on the 9th of April 1940, he was so engaged in Hurricane L1790 when the engine failed and he was killed when the aircraft crashed into the sea about twenty five miles off Grimsby.
The squadron summary records that “Whilst on patrol with yellow section, at about 14.15, Sgt./ Pilot Dent reported by RT that his engine had failed and the aircraft (L1790) crashed into the sea. When picked up by a naval auxiliary (the “CAPE ARGONA”), artificial respiration was tried without success”. The Cape Argona was an anti-submarine trawler.
The Free Press and Post for April 13th reported the death of George under the column heading “Lavenham airman’s death”. The paper notes that his parental address was 89, Church Street, Lavenham and that he died as a result of a flying accident and was the first Lavenham casualty of the war.
It reports that he was the brother of notable hurdler W.W. Dent and that he too was a gifted athlete, being in the first elevens for football and cricket at West Suffolk County School. Following school he passed into Halton; here, he gained all round athletic success and gained his wings in 1939.
His funeral was conducted by the Revd. M Fountain Page and took place on the 14th April. The South West Suffolk Echo notes that George had been a late member of the choir and that there was a Guard of Honour by the Royal Observer Corps and that members of the RAF acted as pall bearers.
The report concludes by noting that there was a large attendance at the funeral. Sergeant George Lewis Dent is buried in Lavenham Cemetery beneath a private, non-CWGC memorial.
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