LING, William



No.14144, Lance Sergeant, William LING
Aged 32


8th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
Killed in Action on Thursday, 28th September 1916


William Ling was born in Cowlinge (Risbridge Q4-1883 4A-591), baptised in Cowlinge on 7th October 1883, son of Alfred and Mary LING (née TAYLOR).

1891 census...Aged 7, he was at Pound Green, Cowlinge with his father Alfred LING [36], a thatcher; his mother Mary [36]; sisters Florence [10] and June [9]. All were born in Cowlinge

1901 census...Aged 17, a thatcher, he was at Pound Green, Cowlinge with his parents.

1911 census... Aged 27, single, a thatcher, he was at Cowlinge with his widowed mother. His father had died in late 1901.

Prior to enlistment he had become an under gamekeeper at Branches Park. The family were still at Pound Green.





He enlisted in Newmarket in August 1914.
At the end of September 1916 the 8th Suffolks were heavily engaged on the Somme in the Schwaben Redoubt area. The Schwaben and Zollern trenches were taken on the 27th, but they were checked at Medway and Schwaben Redoubt. The attack was renewed at 13:00 on the 28th. "B" and "C" companies took part, leaving the other companies to hold Zollern Trench. Bulgar Trench was quickly taken but Schwaben proved more difficult, but by 14:30 both objectives were gained. Casualties were over 200 though, 16 of whom died that day (11 having no known grave).




William Ling is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, pier and face 1C/2A

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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