Cpl
Alfred Cecil Dingle
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 27/01/1888 |
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Place of birth: Newton Ferrers, Devon, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Profession: Ship's purser |
Army information
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Country: Australia |
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Force: Australian Imperial Force |
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Rank: Corporal |
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Service number: 11053 |
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Enlistment date: 06/08/1915 |
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Enlistment place: Holsworthy, New South Wales, Australia |
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Units: — Australian Field Artillery, 37th Bty. 10th Bde. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 14/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Hanebeek Wood, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 29 |
Memorial
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Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial Panel: 7 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 2
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place |
My story
Alfred Cecil Dingle was born in Newton Ferrers near Plymouth, Devon. From 1909 he worked on several ships on the Australian coast. In august 1915 he enlisted in Holsworthy, New South Wales near Sydney. Alfred stated that he worked as a ship’s purser.
In march 1916 Alfred was taken on in the 37th Battery of the Australian Field Artillery, which was a battery in the 10th Field Artillery Brigade, of the 4th Australian Division.
On the 9th of September 1917, the 10th Artillery Brigade took up positions in front of the Bellewaerde Ridge and Château Wood. After the capture of the Broodseinde Ridge the 37th Battery moved to the vicinity of Hanebeek Wood, where they were hidden from view by the Anzac Ridge. The rest of the 10th Brigade positioned themselves near the hamlet of Westhoek.
On the 12th the 4th Division took part in the First Battle of Passchendaele, but wasn’t able to gain its objectives. Due to the bad state of the roads, the ghastly weather and the constant shelling, the brigade had the greatest difficulties to get ammunition and supplies forward. Harassing fire and German counter-battery fire continued throughout the following days. On the 14th of October aeroplanes bombed the back areas.
Twenty-nine-year old Corporal Alfred Dingle was killed on the 14th of October 1917, when a high explosive shell blew his left arm and shoulder off. He was killed outright. Alfred was buried close to where he fell, at the 37th Battery’s position, near Hanebeek Wood and Sans Souci. His grave was marked with a cross. An eyewitness, from his battery, mentioned that he and Corporal Dingle had talked the day before and that Alfred remarked to him “it’s a funny thing all the best men get killed, I suppose it will be my turn next”.
In march 1916 Alfred was taken on in the 37th Battery of the Australian Field Artillery, which was a battery in the 10th Field Artillery Brigade, of the 4th Australian Division.
On the 9th of September 1917, the 10th Artillery Brigade took up positions in front of the Bellewaerde Ridge and Château Wood. After the capture of the Broodseinde Ridge the 37th Battery moved to the vicinity of Hanebeek Wood, where they were hidden from view by the Anzac Ridge. The rest of the 10th Brigade positioned themselves near the hamlet of Westhoek.
On the 12th the 4th Division took part in the First Battle of Passchendaele, but wasn’t able to gain its objectives. Due to the bad state of the roads, the ghastly weather and the constant shelling, the brigade had the greatest difficulties to get ammunition and supplies forward. Harassing fire and German counter-battery fire continued throughout the following days. On the 14th of October aeroplanes bombed the back areas.
Twenty-nine-year old Corporal Alfred Dingle was killed on the 14th of October 1917, when a high explosive shell blew his left arm and shoulder off. He was killed outright. Alfred was buried close to where he fell, at the 37th Battery’s position, near Hanebeek Wood and Sans Souci. His grave was marked with a cross. An eyewitness, from his battery, mentioned that he and Corporal Dingle had talked the day before and that Alfred remarked to him “it’s a funny thing all the best men get killed, I suppose it will be my turn next”.
Sources 7
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AIF https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=79420 Sources used |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1598781/dingle,-alfred-cecil/ Sources used |
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Embarkation Roll https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1759429 Sources used |
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Red Cross Wounded and Missing https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1479617 Sources used |
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Roll of Honour https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1725700 Sources used |
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Service Record https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=3507860&isAv=N Sources used |
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War Diary https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1355165 Sources used |