Joe was the son of John Spencer Bent who was awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry in Ypres during the First World War.
Born Spencer John Bent after his father, Joe played a big role in Southwark’s political life during the 1950s and 1960s, campaigning tirelessly and standing in both general and GLC elections for the Communist Party. A great public speaker, he could often be seen on Sundays at his pitch on the corner of Dawes Street and East Street, Walworth’s very own Speakers’ Corner.
