Shields Gazette Saturday 22/07/1916
2nd Lieut. A. H. Darling
James Hoy Archive Shields Gazette 23/10/1914
James Hoy Archive Shields Gazette 23/10/1914
Becourt Military Cemetery
Alan Heppell Darling was born in South Shields on the 8th February 1889. He was the eldest son of Henry Darling (a secretary of Smith's Dock Co.,) of Belmont, Westoe, South Shields. His younger brother, Harry Alexander Darling, was born in South Shields 18th January 1897.
Husband of Elizabeth Darling of 2 Linden Gardens, Harton Village.
He was employed as a Sub-Manager at the Bull Ring Department, Smith’s Dock Company, North Shields (having been an apprentice engineer in the High Docks’ Department, South Shields) under Mr H. R. Cameron. Alan attended South Shields’ Boys’ High School, being admitted 17th January 1900. Then was educated at Armstrong College, Newcastle upon Tyne. He left in December 1904. Alan was also a Member of the Hadrian (Masonic) Lodge No. 1970 (South Shields).
He was known as a noted athlete, being captain of the South Shields Rowing Club for two years prior to the war (which, by the way, gave 45 out of a total membership of 50 to H.M. Forces), also a prominent Rugby football player.
Alan joined as a private in the first company of the "Commercials" Battalion, known as the "Quaysiders", 9th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers and was promoted to Sergeant with the service number of 9/2080. In May 1916, he was commissioned in the field, and then posted to the 8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Arrived in France 15th July 1915.
The photograph on the right was taken at Bovington Camp, at the left top, back row is a F. Laidler also from South Shields.
[The 8th and 9th Brigades Green Howards (69th Bde) assembled in and near the northern part of Horseshoe Trench on a front of 1000 yards; some 2,000 yards west of Contalmaison. On July 5th, Alan Darling was in action at the capture of Horseshoe Trench. On July 10th, Two companies of 11th West Yorks (69 Bde) were sent to Bailiff Wood to make a flank attack.
"Advanced at 4.50 pm. [official entry times this as 4.30pm] – at about 500 yards from the village heavy machine-gun and rifle fire inflicted great casualties – wire found uncut in front of first objective – advanced on to second line – 50% casualties before reaching hedge and wire netting in front of village – advanced through ruins – fire from rear". He was killed in this action.
War Diary notes no more than four officers and 150 men reached the village. A flank attack by the West Yorks caught the retreating with rifle fire, and they joined with the Green Howards at 5.30pm., the attack having taken one hour in all. Over 250 German prisoners taken. Gains consolidated and held against counter-attacks. Relieved and to Belle Vue Farm during night (11/7). Casualties – 300.]
Source: James Hoy Archive
Additional Research: James Pasby
Rev. David Youngson adds:
He was the son of Henry Darling of “Belmont”, Westoe, South Shields. A Marine Engineer, he was Initiated into 1970 Hadrian Lodge, Freemasons Hall South Shields on the 17th July 1913; Passed 5th May 1913 and Raised on the 19th June 1913.
He was the husband of Elizabeth Darling. He was killed in action on the 10th July 1916 aged 27 and is buried in Becourt Military Cemetery Becordel-Becourt, Somme, France Grave Reference I.S.11.
Alan Heppell Darling is remembered at North Shields on N34.04 N34.30, and at Newcastle in NUT241 page 128, Masonic Roll, at Harton on H104.01, H104.06, at South Shields S86.004 page 6, 10, 18 and S86.137 and is also remembered at Yorkshire Regiment Remembered.