“If it wasn’t for people like Walter, we wouldn’t be here”- Funeral held for Salford-born war hero

Dozens of people have turned out to attend the funeral of a war veteran who had no surviving family left.  

Local veterans’ groups had appealed for people to attend the service of Walter Bentley. Mr. Bentley died on November 13 at the age of 97.  

Walter Bentley served for three years throughout World War Two, as a member of the RAF. 

Owen Hammond, Secretary of the Salford Veteran’s Society, said that “These people need to be remembered. I need to remember them; future generations need to remember them. They went out of their way, put their lives in danger, for us. So that we could live in freedom and peace.” 

They went out of their way, put their lives in danger, for us

If you’d seen Walter Bentley’s funeral, you wouldn’t believe that he has no surviving family. The graveyard was packed with cars, with members of the RAF, emergency services, and the public in attendance.  

Steve Chesney, Wing Commander and Officer in command of the Southport-based 611 auxiliary squadron, was grateful for the service.  

“I was lucky enough to meet Walter at the RAF 100 event in Manchester earlier on this year” 

“[The turnout] is excellent. The support from the wider service community, and veterans, it’s great to see so many people come out and celebrate an individual who gave so much during World War II.”  

In 1942 Walter reported to the RAF Aircrew Reception Centre in North London, was selected to train as a Pilot. 

Two years later, after intensive training in Florida and the UK, he qualified as a pilot on the Short Stirling four-engine bomber and was posted to No 570 Squadron stationed at RAF Harwell, in Berkshire.  

“If it wasn’t for people like Walter, we wouldn’t be here. It’s as simple as that.”

Later in life, Walter worked at the CWS furniture factory in Radcliffe and with Salford City Transport as a bus driver, later as a recruitment officer. In his spare time, he built model railway engines. 

He saved all six members of his crew after being shot down during his maiden flight mission. 

Walter went on to fly many more combat missions during the war, and married Gladys Bentley in 1955. Gladys passed away in 2007, and the couple left no children.  

Paul Dugget, a member of the Royal British Legion, and attendee of the funeral said that  

“If it wasn’t for people like Walter, we wouldn’t be here. It’s as simple as that.”