DORLING, Arthur


No.6828, Corporal, Arthur DORLING
Aged 31


2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
Killed in Action on Thursday, 30th September 1915


1914 Star with clasp - the Old Contemptbles medal


Born in 1886 (3rd qtr Bury St.Edmunds 4a:691 son of Thomas and Emma DORLING (née LOMAX). So far only found his mother as Emma, whereas CWGC have Lucy.

1891 census...Aged 4, he was at 1 Vine Fields, Bury St.Edmunds with his father Thomas DORLING [43] a groom; his mother Emma [40]; brothers Thomas [23] a farm labourer, John [15] born York St Mary's Gate; George [13]; sisters Lucy 10] and Frances Emma [6] (died 1897). All except John were born in Bury St.Edmunds

1901 census...Aged 15, he was a bandboy in the Suffolk Regiment in St.Peter's Port, Guernsey. Sister Lucy was a housemaid at 6 Church Yard for Dr Image and his family. Brother Thomas was a bricklayer in Thurston.

His mother died in 1892 and his father in 1899.

1911 census...Aged 23, he was a private in the 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment at Mustapha Pasha Barracks in Alexandria, Egypt.

He married Daisy TURNER [30-5-1888] in Woolwich in 1913. Their daughter, Joyce Frances Bearice, was born on 7th June 1914 They were later of 120 Ancona Road, Plumstead, London. The pension card has 44 Howser Road, Brockley, London (it also puts Arthur in the 9th battalion, a battalion that was actually in France ). Over the years it seems he has had no fixed idea as to his age.


He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds on 8th January 1901, No.5709, givng his age as 15 years 5 mnhs, no trade, born in Bury St. Edmunds. He was 5 feet tall, weighed 90 lbs chest 29 to 31 inches, brown hair, brown eyes, Church of England. Next of kin, his brother George of 106 Eastgate Street, Bury St Edmunds, and sister Ada of same address (therefore presumably sister in law). He was discharged as medically unfit for service on 7th July 1901 from Colchester, intended residence 105 Eastgate Street, Bury St Edmund (No.106 ?).

In his 2nd spell of service he was was admitted to No.4 Stationary Hospital (at Arques, SE of St.Omer) with influenza and discharged on 6th April 1915, He had served 11.5 years, and must have transferred from 1st to 2nd battalion between 1911 and 1914.

War Diary -
At Hooge, 30th Sept 1915..2:00 pm A supply of bombs having been obtained a counter-attack was ordered by the GOC 3rd Div. at 2 pm which had to be postponed till3 pm owing to the non arrival of the bombs from the Dv. At 3 pm the artillery was to bombard the mine crate until 3:15, This did not appear very effective. At 3:15 the attack was to be carried out by the bombers and 1 Coy 4th Mx (?) on the right up B3 - The bombers and 1 Coy 2 R S up centre of the salient - the bombers and 1 Cy 2 Sk on the let up B7
The attack was made by "A" Coy under the command of Capt GC Smith who was unfortunately killed at the commencement. The attack succeeded in reaching the western edge of the crater, being gallantly led by Capt De Castro see here in the face of machine gun and rifle fire and also bombs. They were also stopped by barbed wire which Capt De Castro proceeded to cut. At this period Major Turner in command of the attack party was killed - also Lt Thill and 2 Lt Law, i/c bombers and Capt Dealtry was wounded. The attack which had reached this position was forced to retire by enfilade MG fire and formed a line out to the right ( ?...?) of B.4.8 and digging a new trench connecting up in the direction of POLLOCK STREET where the 2 RS were still bombing. This line was strengthened and consolidated during the night by the HAC who were brought up to connect up with the Royal Scots.

This was followed by a list of names of those killed, unusually for a war diary, including the names of ORs killed, Arthur Dorlng being one.
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Arthur Dorling is commemorated on the Menin Gate, Ypres, panel 21

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


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