WW1

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Bingham Owen Ernest Hugh

Studio portrait of 373 Sergeant (Sgt) Owen Ernest Hugh Bingham, 3rd Light Horse Regiment. A farmer, of Central Castra near Ulverstone, Tasmania, he enlisted on 23 August 1914 and embarked from Hobart aboard HMAT Geelong on 20 October 1914 for Gallipoli. Sgt Bingham was Mentioned In Despatches on 16 October 1915 for special patrol work. The regiment relocated to Alexandria on 20 December 1915 on withdrawal from Gallipoli. On 29 December 1915, Sgt Bingham was assigned to the Western Frontier Force. Sgt Bingham was killed in action at Romani, Egypt, on 4 August 1916 aged 26 years.

SOLDIER AND A MAN

TRIBUTES TO SERGEANT OWEN  BINGHAM.  

A short time ago Mr. and Mrs. T Bingham received the sad intelligence that their son Sergt. Owen Bingham had been killed in action at the battle of Romani, Egypt when the Turkish army attacked the British forces with the view of securing command of the Suez Canal. Sergt. Bingham was attached to the Third Light Horse which played a conspicuous part in that conflict. The sad news, devoid of any details as to how he had met his death naturally caused the bereaved family keen sorrow. Nor was this feeling confined to the members of his family. He was a young man of great promise, one who inspired a feeling of respect and admiration; and, the possessor of a genial temperament, he surrounded himself with a circle of friends who, with his parents, mourn his loss. The manner of his death is now being made known, and the details show the magnificent class of men this part of the Empire has sent forth to uphold its prestige and honor. They also show that he personally upheld the traditions of the British soldier in a manner that has called forth spontaneous expressions of admiration from those in command of the troops. A comrade, writing from the 3rd General Hospital, states: — I made inquiries and found a man who was with Owen when he was wounded, and the tale he told is one which even under the tragic termination must be some consolation lo his parents in their great sorrow. The wounded man stated Owen was left with six or seven to the last, to cover the retreat of the others during the process of drawing the Turks on their horses being a mile away. In retiring under a heavy fire Owen came upon this man, Corpl Bessier, lying wounded. He picked him up but became exhausted, the sand being very deep. He then started to drag him. At this stage another man came up, and together they got him another 100 yards, when Owen got a bullet in the leg. Bessier seems a bit mixed and lost the run of Owen. This was all the information the writer could get, and when he wrote these words was hoping to hear that Sergt Bingham had been brought in to the hospital. The hope was never to be fulfilled as the brave soldier had passed away. Lieut.-Colonel D. Fulton Third Light Horse, writing to the bereaved parents, says: — 'Sergt. Bingham was killed in action on August 4. He was one of the best N.C.O.'s I had in the regiment, and as a man set a splendid example to all those under him'   On behalf of the officers, N.C.O.'s and men of the regiment he offered their deepest sympatlhy to Mr. and Mrs. Bingham.  Major Bell, of the Third A.I.F also bears testimony to the services rendered by Sergt. Bingham. He says: -'Your son was my troop sergeant in C squad for the time I commanded at Gallipoli. All officers had the same admiration for his fine soldierly qualities as myself. - I think  that the knowledge that your boy was so highly esteemed while living, and that he died like the gallant soldier that he was, will be some consolation in your grief. Capt. W. J. Bennett, in conveying his sympathy, says: 'The enemy were attacking most desperately, and it was only through having such brave men as your son that we were able to claim a victory. As a soldier and a man he was all that could be desired, and his place in the regiment will be hard to fill.' Capt Bisdee. V.C., also adds words of consolation, and at the same time expresses his admiration for Sergt. Bigham's splendid qualities as a soldier.  He states the men did great work the day of the battle, and turned a very critical situation into a brilliant victory. He concludes a most touching testimony by saying: ' He now rests near his mates, who also gave their lives for the great cause ' It cannot be doubted that these tributes to the noble young Tasmanian will be some consolation to the bereaved parents, and help to reconcile themselves to their great loss

The North Western Advpcate 30^th September 1916

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