No.23133, Private, William DORLING
Aged 27
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William Dorling was born in 1891 in Brandon (Thetford Q1-1891 4B:376), son of Harry and Mary Ann DORLING (née SHINN). 1891 census...None of the family were found in this census, which was taken on 5th April. 1901 census...Aged 10, he was at Brandon Fields, Brandon with his father Harry DORLING [36] gamekeeper, born Wangford; his mother Mary [34]; brother Herbert [11] and sister Lily [11 months]. All except his father were born in Brandon. 1911 census...Aged 20, a gamekeeper, he was still at Brandon Fields with his parents; brother Herbert (labourer) and sister Lily. There had been one other sibling who had died. William was the uncle of Cecil DORLING, who died as a prisoner of the Japanese in Malaya in 1943 see here |
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He enlisted in Norwich, attested 1st February 1915, giving his age as 24 years, born Brandon, a gamekeeper, father Henry. He was 5 feet
9.5 inches (176.5 cm)tall,
weighed 139 lbs (63.2 kg) and chest 34" to 36" (86.4 to 91.4 cm).
Posted to Norfolk Regt Depot on 2nd February 1915 and the 3rd Battalion on 15th May. Transferred to the Border Regiment on 9th September in 10th Battalion. Posted to the 7th Battalion and sent to BEF on 30th December 1915. He received a gunshot wound to his left hand on 30th April 1916 and sent from 51 Field Ambulance to No 8.C.C.S. (Bailleul) then to No.13 General Hospital at Bologne on 1st May, recovering he went to Convalescence and then on 20th May to 17th Infantry Brigade Depot at Etaples before re-joining his unit on 27th May 1916 and killed in action on 23rd March 1918 at the start of the German Spring Offensive, (the Kaiserschlacht). His sister Lily signed the "living relatives" from on 18th October 1919, at 156 London Road Brandon where she was living with father Henry and mother Mary. His brother Herbert [28] was at 154 London Road with sons Cyril [6] and Cecil [8]. The war diary :- " -23rd - 3 am Bn HQ moved to QUARRY, HERMIES. 12.15 pm Brigade withdrew from Mermies defences commencing with the retirement of 10th Sherwoods being covered by MGC. A and C Coy retired, covered by B and D Coys. Retirement which was carried out in good order, being covered by Motor MGC. Route SLAG HEAP -BERTINCOURT Bus BARASTRE- VILLERS-au-FLOS. Battalion re-assembled at VILLERS-AU-FLOS that night. This was at the time of the German Spring Offensive (the KAISERSCHLACHT) when the German were making great advances along the front at the junction of the British and French Armies. The CWGC records give 13 killed from the 7th Borders, only one with an identified grave. click here to go to the Brandon at War website for more information
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
