HMS Barnehurst, Royal Navy.

Died on the 30 January 1943.

Aged 34, the son of Robert and Elizabeth Gent of 121 Burns Street Burnley and the husband of Edna Gent and father of Robert Gent and Pauline of 9 Berry Street. He had 2 brothers - Jack and Arthur (Royal Artillery) who both served in the forces and a sister Francis.

HMS Barnehurst was a Boom Defence Vessel of the Bar Class (63 ships) of 730 tons and was launched on 21 October 1939 being built in Blyth, Northumberland. She was 174 feet long, 33 feet in width and drew 9.5 feet. She was armed with one 3 inch anti-aircraft gun and after the war was transferred to the Netherlands.

The Burnley Express of 13 February 1943 reported his death: -

Killed on Active Service

Ordinary Seaman Joseph Gent (34) whose wife and son live at 9, Berry Street, Burnley has been killed on active service with the Royal Navy. A munitions worker before he was called up last June, he joined the A.R.P. service at the outbreak of war and was a voluntary warden at Post G.G.1 before he transferred into "F" company of the Home Guard in the summer of 1941. He is the son of Mr and Mrs R.Gent of 121, Burns Street, Burnley and at one time was a member of the Burnley Lads' Club. His brother John is serving with the Veterinary Corps in the Middle East and his brother Arthur is with the Royal Artillery in Wales. A Memorial Service was conducted by the Rev. A.T.J. Mackrell in St John's Church Worsthorne. O.S. Gent was buried at sea.

Commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.