| Other Info | Died age 22. Son of Richard John Dingley, of 330 Hagley Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham. Also served at Gallipoli. Was promoted to rank of Lieutenant after his death on the 6th April 1917. DUISANS BRITISH CEMETERY, ETRUN, Pas de Calais, France - grave Ref: IV. K. 49.
Extract from “De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour”
Younger son of Richard John Dingley, of 330 Hagley Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, Manufacturer, by his wife, Emma, daughter of the late William Cookes; born Edgbaston, 7 October 1894; educated Solihull (Rev. Dr. Robert Wilson and Rev. Dr. Cooper), where he was a member of the O.T.C.; subsequently, on leaving school, joined his father’s business; enlisted in the 1st Birmingham City Battalion on the outbreak of war in August 1914; gazetted 2nd Lieut. The Worcestershire Regiment 30th January 1915; served with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force at Gallipoli from August 1915, where he was taken ill with dysentery; returned to the Peninsula, and took part in the evacuations of Suvla Bay and Helles Point; later served in Egypt, also with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from February 1916; transferred to the Machine Gun Corps, 1st March following; took part in the Battle of the Somme; was invalided home in September; returned to the Front on Easter Monday, 9th April 1917, and died at No. 8 Casualty Clearing Station on 5th May following, from wounds received in action at Arras. Buried at Duisans. Lieut.-Col. F. Moore wrote: “He was a good and conscientious worker, and just the type to make a good officer,” and Major Stokes-Roberts: “I set great store on his services. As a Company Commander, I could never wish to have a better officer under me than Nod. He was, without exception, the best platoon officer I have ever had....I very deeply deplore his loss.”
Capt. A. C. York also wrote: “Our company were in action on the morning of 3rd May 1917, and Lieut. Dingley was in charge of four guns in a forward position. He was slightly wounded in the early morning, and, although wounded, he kept his guns in action until he was again wounded (severely), and his body was not recovered unti l l the same evening, when he was still conscious, and taken to the casualty clearing station. Lieut. Dingley had only been with this unit a week or so, but during the short time he was with us, we had the greatest admiration for him....He was absolutely fearless and died doing his duty,” and Corpl. F. Woodman: “He came to us at a time when the spirits of the lads had been dampened by some heavy casualties, and the way in which he cheered and bred confidence in our section was wonderful...He was, indeed, a gallant gentleman, and I pray that your terrible sense of loss may also be tempered with pride, that you have been able to give a son so fine to the country.... It was during the battle of 3rd May we occupied an advance post in the front of our infantry. A few hours before the battle opened he gave us a fine example of his mettle. He stood by the side of my gun giving me some orders, when we heard a faint cry for help out in the front. Without a moment’s hesitation he jumped out of the trench, ran forward, and brought in a wounded man who was lying quite close to the enemy’s lines. During the actual battle his cheerfulness and utter lack of fear put heart in all of us....To get to two of the guns under his charge, he had to get out of the trench and cross about 20 yards of open ground, and he was continually going to and from these guns to cheer and encourage the men. It was while returning from one of these journeys that a bullet struck him in the abdomen, causing the wound to which he eventually succumbed....Even while lying in the trench his great pluck asserted itself, and he continually smiled encouragement to his men. I believe even then the last thing he thought about was himself.” Unmarried.
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