William James Bingham

Rank:

Lance Sergeant

Regimental number:

11336

Unit at enlistment:

4th Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Yes

Wounded:

Yes

Cemetery:

Mount Hope Cemetery, Soldiers' Plot, Brantford, Ontario

Birth country:

Canada

Birth county:

Brant

Birth city:

Brantford, Ontario

Address at enlistment:

87 Ontario Street, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

87 Ontario Street, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Labourer

Employer:

Cockshutt Plow Co.

Religious denominations:

Church of England

Marital status:

Married

Age at enlistment:

Image gallery:

Letters and documents

BX June 1, 1915

Ammunition Plentiful With German Forces – So Writes Pte. W. Bingham Who Was Through the Battle of Langemarck – Another Batch of Interesting Letters From Brantford Boys at the Front

Pte. William James Bingham, who left this city with the First Contingent of Dufferin Rifles, and who was through the thickest of the fight at Langemarck, writes home to his wife and family, and states that he gives little credulity to the reports that the Germans ran short of ammunition. Anyone who was through the battle could realize the folly of the reports. He adds that he believes that the German forces must soon collapse, probably sooner than most people expect, and he will then be able to return to his home and loved ones. The letter follows:

My Dear Wife,

Yours received dated April 22, and am pleased to know that you and the children are keeping well; I am as usual in the pink. You will have heard by now that we were in the thick of the fray and that we have made a name for ourselves, but we did only what other regiments have been doing all along. I came out without a scratch. My nerves were badly shattered for a few days. That was only natural, as it was my first experience in real warfare. I had been in the trenches several times, but compared to this affair, they were more in the nature of a picnic. It has been stated in the papers that the Germans were short of ammunition. Well, they who write such tales should be here when the enemy is making an attack, and they would quickly find out how little they know about it. I am given to understand, and can quite believe it, that there was more ammunition used here in one week’s fighting than there was in the South African war, which lasted two years and nine months. Men who were on that war say that there is a Boer war fought every day here, so don’t ever think they are running short of ammunition, for they are not.

In spite of this we shall beat them and although they are making a brave show just now, I shouldn’t be surprised to see them collapse suddenly and before long, so buck up, I may be home in less time than you imagine.

We are resting for a few days now somewhere in France, but are likely to get orders to move any day. The division is being reorganized and is nearly up to strength again.

Husband

BX March 27, 1916

Now in Hospital

Lance Sergeant William James Bingham, who has been officially reported, admitted to No. 13 General Hospital, Boulogne, March 13, with a gunshot wound in the back. He enlisted with the First Contingent of the Dufferin Rifles, and is well known here, having played football for the Duffs for three years.

BX September 13, 1945

William James Bingham

William James Bingham passed away this morning at his home, 19 Fair Avenue. Mr. Bingham was in his sixty-third year. He was born in Hornsby, England and came to Brantford forty years ago. He was employed at the Cockshutt Plow Company until 1914, when he enlisted with the original 4th Battalion, with which he served for five years. He rose from the rank of private to sergeant major during this time. Mr. Bingham was the Vice-President of the 4th Battalion Association, and a member of the First Contingent Association of Hamilton. He was an adherent of Holy Trinity Church and a member of the Canadian Legion, Branch No. 90. Mr. Bingham will rest at his home until Sunday, when interment will be in the Soldiers’ Plot, Mount Hope Cemetery. Besides his widow, the former Rose Carey, Mr. Bingham leaves to mourn four sons, William Harrigan, Brantford; Harry Harrigan, Royal Oaks, Michigan; George Harrigan, Florida, and Pfc. Alex E. Bingham, serving with the U.S. Army in China; four daughters, Mrs. Russell Barcy, Detroit; Mrs. Leslie Fitzgerald, Detroit; Mrs. Sydney Dowden, Brantford and Pte. Shirley Bingham, Brantford. Mr. Bingham also leaves two brothers, Walter Bingham, England, and Harry Bingham, London, Ont., and three sisters, Mrs. Peter Gilbert, Hamilton; Mrs. Edward Martin Hamilton, and Miss Letitia Bingham, England. There are 14 grandchildren.

BX September 17, 1945

William Bingham

The funeral of William Bingham was conducted Sunday afternoon from the residence, 19 Fair Avenue, and was largely attended. Rev. T.D. Painting, Trinity Anglican Church, was in charge of the service. The pallbearers, members of the original 4th Battalion of the First Great War were Peter Whelan, S. Taylor, Napoleon Larin, Graham Pilley, William Hall and William Keighley. Interment was in the Soldiers’ Plot in Mount Hope Cemetery.