NEW research has revealed how a Suffolk teenager-turned drummer boy became the first member of the East Lancashire Regiment to win Britain's ultimate award for valour in the First World War.

Spencer John Bent received the Victoria Cross for not just one but several examples of conspicuous courage in 1914.

Interest in his story was heightened earlier this month when Thwaites brewery has named its new Shire horse Drummer partly in memory of the musician-turned-hero.

John, or 'Joe' as he was known, receives his VC aged 23 for his bravery in October and November 1914 during fighting in and around Le Gheer, in Belgium ending in the rescue of Private McNulty from Burnley.

He was born on 18 March 1891 in Stowmarket, Suffolk, the son of a serving soldier in the Royal Horse Artillery.

By the age of 10 he was an orphan, his mother dying when he was very young, and his father killed in the Boer War. He was raised by an uncle and aunt.

In 1905, aged 14, he enlisted in The East Lancashire Regiment as a Drummer.

He was deployed with the First Battalion of East Lancashire Regiment, rapidly proving himself an outstanding soldier during the retreat from Mons and the battles on the Marne where the Allied armies finally halted the German onslaught.

His Victoria Cross citation says it was awarded for 'conspicuous gallantry near Le Gheer when, after his Officer, Platoon Sergeant and Section Commander had been struck down, he took command and with great presence of mind and coolness, succeeded in holding the position. Drummer Bent had already distinguished himself on two occasions. On November 3 he brought into cover some wounded men who were lying exposed in the open'

He received his VC personally by King George V at Buckingham Palace January 13 1915, later received the Military Medal eventually making the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major before retiring in 1926 aged 35.

Jane Davies, curator of the Lancashire Infantry Museum, who commissioned the research into Drummer Bent, said: " At the age of 14 he joined the Army. At this age his only opportunity of experiencing military service was by enlisting as a Drummer and vacancies for drummers existed in very few regiments.

"Bent originally tried to join his father’s old regiment, The Royal Horse Artillery, but there weren’t any places available.

"We think he joined the 1st Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment because they were originally the 30th Regiment of Foot (First Cambridgeshire Regiment) up until 1881 and therefore had a link with East Anglia."

Married to Alice with three children he retired to London, working for Courage Brewery. He died aged 86 in May 1977.

His medals, including the Russian Cross of St George, are on display at the Imperial War Museum, London.