HINGLEY, Eli

Eli Hingley was a pre-war regular soldier in the Worcesters. He was a Halesowen man and married to Ada (later Scott). He was in the 1st Battalion in 1914 and they went to the Western Front with the 8th Division in November 1914. They moved into trenches near Neuve Chapelle in Artois and took part in the March 1915 battle of Neuve Chapelle, a fierce three day contest which was intended as an advance to the Aubers Ridge. They clashed with the renowned Bavarian Division and both sides suffered high casualties. Another attempt on the Aubers Ridge was made in May and, when breakthrough was not achieved, the battalion moved back to Neuve Chapelle. Enemy shelling, however. was constant and Private Eli Hingley was killed in action on the 4th June. He was 26 years of age and is commemorated on the Ploegsteert and Halesowen Memorials.