No. 14596, Sergeant, William Arthur DORLING
Aged 27
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William Arthur Dorling was born in Chippenham on 14th October 1890 (Newmarket Q4-1890 3B:485) baptised in Chippenham on 16th November 1890, the son of
Samuel and Agnes DORLING (née PERRY)
1891 census... Aged 5 months, he was at The Grange, Chippenham with his father Samuel DORLING [38] agricultural labourer, born Freckenham; his mother Agnes [32] born Hawkedon, brother George E. [8] and sisters Lydia E.[6], Mary A [5] and Rosa E. [2].All the children were born in Chippenham. 1901 census... Aged 10, he was at New Road, Freckenham with his father (now a horse keeper on farm), mother, brother George Edgar (horse keeper) and sister Rose Emily. 1911 census... His parents and sister Mary Ann were living in Freckenham and it is recorded that all five children had survived, but so far William has not been found. It is unlikely he had joined the Army since he appears to have enlisted the same day as George Diver. The pension card (refused) has his parents at the White Cottage Freckenham. |
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He enlisted in Newmarket. His is the next previous regimental number to Private George Diver,see here so he must have been next in line when recruited His army records have not been found. On the 11-12 October 1917 the battalion moved up from the Yser canal near Essex Farm to Rose Trench near Poelcappelle, marching in the pouring rain and being gas shelled on the way. Rose Trench was a water filled ditch and the troops spent the night in icy water up to their waists. Battalion HQ was in the remains of a building called Pheasant Farm and could only be entered by crawling on all fours. At about 5:30 on the 12th a British attack was launched and about an hour later the battalion moved forward following 55th Brigade, the right company going towards the left corner of Poelcappelle. A heavy enemy barrage met them as they went from Rose Trench to the Langemarck-Poelcappelle road. and after crossing the Dixmunde-Langemarck road they had to cope with heavy machine gun fire. The ground was so badly pock marked with shellholes filled with water that drowning was an ever present danger. That was a far as they got, being relieved the following day and having incurred over 230 casualties. Of these, 46 were killed, only 11 have identified graves. The Bury Free Press of the 17th November 1917 recorded :- FRECKENHAM SERGEANT SNIPED We regret to have to announce the sad news of the death of Sergt.W.A.Dorling, younger son of Mr. and Mrs.Sam Dorling of Freckenham. The gallant Sergeant was killed in action on the 13th October in the 27th year of his age. He voluntarily enlisted in the 8th Suffolks on the 1st September 1914, and was one of the first to join Kitchener's Army. He was sent to France inJuly 1915 and came home for ten days in 1916. The letters of sympathy received by his parents from the Chaplain and others testify to the high esteem in which he was held by all. Mr. and Mrs. Dorling have another son serving in Salonica and a son-in-law in France. The following is a letter received by the bereaved parents from a comrade of the deceased soldier:- "Dear Mr. and Mrs. Dorling - It is with deepest sympathy that I write these few lines, although I am rather late in doing so, I feel I must drop you a line. No doubt you have heard long before now that poor Bill had been killed. Really, I was thunderstruck at hearing the news, and could hardly believe it, but after hearing all that the battalion had been through while I was on leave I really could not doubt it at all. Ernie tells me he has written to you and told you all he knew about it and how it happened, so I can tell you no more; but we musty be thankful the poor boy did not suffer at all, as his death was instantaneous...............I only wish it was all wrong and I was the bearer of better news,but we must leave it all to the One above - Yours in deepest sympathy, Arthur How" |
photo courtesy of his great niece Janet Morris
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