Percy Bingley
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Percy was the third son of Edward and Ann Bingley (née Fretwell). His father Edward was born in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, in about 1863, the son of John Bingley, a mason, while his mother Ann was born in Rowthorne, Derbyshire, in 1865, the daughter of George Fretwell, a labourer. Edward and Ann were married at St John the Baptist, Ault Hucknall, Derbyshire, on 21 August 1886 (J/A/S Mansfield); both signed the register with their mark. They had five children who were all born in Rowthorne and baptised at St John the Baptist: George William b. 1887 bap. 30 October 1887; Christina b 1890 bap. 29 June 1890; John Edward b. 1893 bap. 15 October 1893; Percy b. September 1895 bap. 15 March 1896 and Alfred Horace b. 1897 bap. 9 January 1898. Edward, a farm labourer, and Ann were living in Rowthorne in 1891 with their two children George (3) and Christina (11m). They were still living in the village in 1901 by which time Edward was working as a coal miner. Also in the home were their five children, George a collier, Christina, John (8), Percy (5) and Alfred (3). Ann Bingley probably died in 1910 and in 1911 the widowed Edward, again working as a farm labourer, was living with his son Percy, a coal miner, at 13 Taylor's Hill, Pleasley Hill, Mansfield. Also in the household was the housekeeper, Elizabeth Coupe (married). Percy's father probably died in 1920 (A/M/J Mansfield).
1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment. Percy served in France from 26 March 1915. From information in a report in the local paper in July 1916, he may have been wounded in action in July (see 'Extra information'). He died of wounds at No. 20 Casualty Clearing Station on 2 Aprll 1917 and was buried in Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, Saulty, France (grave ref. V.G.11). He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery (extract): 'The site of the cemetery was chosen in May 1916. It was used from June 1916 to May 1917 by the 20th and 43rd Casualty Clearing Stations, in February 1917 by the 1/1st South Midland, and from April to June 1917 by the 32nd. The whole of plots VII, VIII, IX and X were filled in April and May 1917, the months of the Battles of Arras. From June 1917, the cemetery was practically unused until the fighting of May and June 1918, when field ambulances buried in it. After the Armistice the cemetery was increased by graves brought in from the following small military cemeteries [listed].'
Mansfield Reporter, 28 July 1916: reference in report of a memorial service at St Barnabus parish church for 'Drummer Hall' [George Richard Baker Hall 11th Bn Sherwood Foresters] ... ‘Other casualties in the big advance are … Private Percy Bingley, 2nd (sic) Lincolns, wounded in forearm.’ Registers of Soldiers' Effects: His brother, George Bingley, was his sole legatee.
