Lieutenant Colonel Philip Eric Bent VC, DSO (3 January 1891 – 1 October 1917) was a Canadian British Army officer recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

[3] He was 26 years old, and Temporary Lieutenant Colonel commanding the 9th (Service) Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, during the First World War when he performed the deed for which he was awarded the VC on 1 October 1917 east of Polygon Wood, Zonnebeke, Belgium.

His citation reads: For most conspicuous bravery, when during a heavy hostile attack, the right of his own command and the battalion on his right were forced back.

Bent personally collected a platoon that was in reserve, and together with men from other companies and various regimental details, he organised and led them forward to the counter-attack, after issuing orders to other officers as to the further defence of the line.

It is understood that the medal has been held in a Safe Deposit Box at a Leicester Bank where it has been kept for many years following the demise of the Museum.The contents of the Museum were transferred to Newarke Houses Museum, Leicester |url=https://www.memorialstovalour.co.uk/vc887.html%7C, The school proposed to auction his medals to raise funds for a sports pavilion, a decision which received widespread criticism.