Education
University of Durham. University of London.
University of Durham. University of London.
Born in Liverpool, he was ordained in 1906 and served as a curate in Barrow-in-Furness from 1906-1910. A curacy in Bethnal Green (1910-1914) was followed by two years as Vicar of Street Matthias Plaistow (2). In 1917 he emigrated to the Caribbean to take up the post of Warden of Street Peter"s College, Jamaica (3).
He was consecrated Bishop in 1919, after which he served as Suffragan Bishop of Jamaica until he was appointed Bishop of Barbados in 1927 (4).
A particular feature of his episcopacy was the promotion of education, and in 1938 he was awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his services to education in Barbados. "A forceful and lovely preacher, Doctor Bentley always received a warm welcome at all the Parishes which he visited.." (5)
Bishop Bentley retired in 1945 but continued to live in Barbados until his death in 1970.
Educated at Durham University, he served as President of Street Cuthbert"s Society in 1910, establishing a reputation as a scholar, a dedicated oarsman and a committed and proselytising socialist (1)having acquired his socialism when serving as curate in the slums of Barrow.