 Son of Mr William and Mrs Gertrude Lingard
Aged 19 years
Died 22nd March 1918
Commemorated Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France
Panel 46 to 47
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Born Rushden.
Note: CWGC gives his date of death as 3rd of April, but the newsclips and memorial notices have 22nd March. |
Rushden Echo, 26th April 1918, transcribed by Kay Collins
Rushden Soldier in Egypt — Meeting With The Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Lingard, of 19, Pratt-road, Rushden, have received news from their son, Sapper E. Lingard, Railway Operating Division, to say that he safely landed in Egypt on March 12th. Extracts from his letters are as follow:—
"March 14th—I have got safely to my destination. We must all thank God that I landed safely, as our journey was beset by danger, but your prayers were answered, as I knew they would be. There are some Welsh here."
"March 15th—I met Fred Willis (of Cromwell-road, Rushden—Ed. R.E.) the other day at dinner—his sister married Will Seamark (of Cromwell-road, Ed. R.E.)—he is quite well at present. We had a long stroll and talk together. I shall look for the 'Rushden Echo.' Ern Baker (of Pratt-road, Ed. R.E.) and Rice (Drummer Rice, of Rushden, Ed. R.E.) are not far up from where I am."
"March 17th.—I have met several Welsh lads who were at Rushden, and they don't just half praise dear old Rushden up."
Sapper Lingard, who joined the Colours last July, was formerly a goods checker for the Midland Railway at Bingley, Yorks. As a lad he passed through the Rushden Wellingboro'-road Mission Sunday School, his father having been for many years leader of the band in connection with that place of worship.
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The Rushden Echo Friday 26 April 1918, transcribed by Nicky Bates
Rushden's Casualty List Men Killed, Wounded and Gassed In the Great German Offensive
We deeply regret to learn that Mr and Mrs William Lingard, of 19, Pratt-road, Rushden, Northants, have received official news that their younger son, 18721, Pte Wm Alfred ('Dennis') Lingard, of the Royal Sussex Regiment, was killed in action between March 21st and April 2nd or 3rd. The sad news has come as a great blow to the bereaved parents, as through not having received a letter from their younger son for five weeks they had been in much anxiety, but hoping against hope that he might be a prisoner of war. The late Pte Lingard was but 19 years of age, and only went to France on February 17th this year, having thus been on the Western front but one month when he made the supreme sacrifice. His father, Mr Wm Lingard, is leader of the Rushden Wellingborough-road Mission Band, and as a lad the deceased soldier passed through the Sunday School connected with that place of worship, and his name is inscribed on the Roll of Honour in that church. He joined the Colours on February 7th, 1917, up to which time he was employed in the bakery department of the Rushden Industrial Co-operative Society. Mr and Mrs Lingard and family desire to thank all those kind friends who have expressed sympathy with them in their grievous loss. The parents will be grateful to any of their son's comrades who can send them any further definite information concerning his death. Letters should be sent to the address given above or to the "Echo" Office, 5, Park-road, Rushden.
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Rushden Echo, May 17th, 1918, transcribed by Greville Watson
Rushden’s Casualty List
Mr and Mrs W. Lingard, of 19, Pratt-road, Rushden, whose son, Pte. Wm. Alfred (“Dennis”) Lingard, Royal Sussex Regiment, as reported previously in the “Rushden Echo,” was killed in action, have received the following letter from Lieutenant F. C. Whiting, O.C. B Company: “I thank you for your letter of April 22nd, which reached me yesterday. I have made inquiries re your son, and find that he was killed on March 22nd, 1918. Owing to casualties in your son’s company, it has been difficult to get definite news of his burial. He may, of course, have been buried by another unit: things were naturally very unsettled during the withdrawal. Rest assured that he died doing his duty as a Britisher and a soldier of the Sussex Regiment. Permit me to offer my sincere condolences, and I trust time will soften the blow you have had.” Lance-Cpl. H. Musgrave has written as follows : “Dear Mrs. Lingard,––In reply to your inquiry re your son, 18721, Pte. Lingard, I deeply regret to inform you he was killed in action on March 22nd, 1918. According to information given me by Lance-Corpl. A. Waller (who is now missing), he was shot by a machine-gun bullet, and died instantaneously. Before you received this letter you will no doubt received official information from the War Office, who will give you more news that I am permitted to say. Although your son has only been with the battalion a short time, he became well liked by everyone because he was so cheerful under all conditions. Deepest sympathy with you in your great loss.” |
The Rushden Echo Friday 22 November 1918, transcribed by Nicky Bates
In Memoriam
LINGARD - Birthday memories of our darling lad (Nov. 24th, 1918), Pte Dennis Lingard, Royal Sussex Regiment, killed in France, March 22nd, 1918, aged 19, deeply mourned.
What would we give his hand to clasp,
His dear, kind face to see;
That meant so much to us?
But an unknown grave is the bitterest blow,
None but those who have lost can know.
Not now, but in the coming years;
It may be in the Better Land,
We'll read the meaning of our tears,
Not now, up there we'll understand.
From his sorrowing Mother, Father, Sisters and Brother in Palestine.
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The Rushden Echo Friday 21 November 1919, transcribed by Nicky Bates
In Memoriam
LINGARD - In sacred memory of our darling's 21st birthday. Pte Dennis Lingard, fell in France, March 1918.
With aching hearts we shook his hand,
Tears glistened in our eyes,
We wished him well, but never thought
It was our last Goodbye.
So dear was he, 'twas hard to part.
But God giveth strength to a weary heart;
We miss the hand-clasp, miss the loving smile,
Our heart are broken, but for a little while.
And we shall meet beyond the golden gate.
God comfort us, God help us, while we wait.
From his sorrowing mother, father, sisters and brother in Palestine, 19, Pratt road, Rushden.
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The Rushden Echo Friday 19 March 1920, transcribed by Nicky Bates
In Memoriam
LINGARD — In ever-loving sacred memory of our Dear Boy, Pte Dennis Lingard, who fell in France, March 22, 1918.
He faced the foe like a hero,
And like a soldier died.
He fought and fell in battle
With his comrades side by side.
He will rise no more at the bugle,
Nor face so bravely the foe;
But he's playing a harp with golden strings
In that land where we all want to go.
From his sorrowing Mother, Father, Sisters and brother.
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