Sidney Bentley - Bevin Boy, Land Army and Home Guard

Sidney Bentley and his wife, Lilian (formerly Lilian Olive Stone), lived in Essex in the Southend/Vange area. Sidney had been a Bevin Boy in the mines in the north of England, and on his return to Essex, he joined the Home Guard. He later became a big fan of Dad's Army and said it was just like that. One day there was excitement as they spotted a parachute, they chased after it, and discovered it was a sheet that had blown off someone's line.

His wife, Lilian, was in the Land Army and had a more dangerous time as she was out potato picking when she was almost hit by a stray bomb. Potato picking and digging were their two main activities.