In Queensferry Cemetery is the Commonwealth War Grave of Surgeon Probationer Hugh John Dingle, serving with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve who died 31/05/1916.
He was the son of the Reverend Arthur Trehane Dingle and Beatrice Dingle, of Eaglescliffe Rectory, Co. Durham.
Hugh John Dingle was born in 1893 at Silksworth, Sunderland, where his father Reverend Arthur Trehane Dingle was the vicar.
In 1901 the family were still at Silksworth Rectory and in 1904 the family moved to Egglescliffe. As well as his only brother, Arthur James born 1891, Hugh had two sisters, Mary Caroline born 1897 and Beatrice Margaret born 1907.
In 1911 Hugh was a boarder at Durham School. The rest of the family were at Egglescliffe Rectory.
His mother Beatrice nee Robson died in 1914.
Lieutenant Hugh John Dingle joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve as a Probationer Surgeon in August 1914 on H.M.S. “Drina” He was then transferred to H.M.S. “Comet“, and later to the “Marmion.” After being sent home for further training he joined H.M.S. “Petard” and was killed on May 31st 1916 in the destroyer action at the end of the Battle of Jutland.
He is buried in the Naval Cemetery at South Queensferry, Lothian.
The Sporting Chronicle 07/06/1916 reports:-
Included in the casualty list issued in connection with the great sea battle is the name of Surgeon-Probationer H. J. Dingle, the well-known Durham county Rugby player. A Durham schoolboy, he distinguished himself as a three-quarter back, and later assisted Durham University. He played for Durham County in the final of the county championship against the Midland Counties at Leicester in 1914. A fine, resolute player, H.J. Dingle was a great favourite. His brother, Arthur J. Dingle. the English international three-quarter back. also met his death while serving his country.
The Newcastle Journal 07/06/1916 reports:-
The students of Durham University and particularly those associated with the Rugby Club will deeply mourn the death of Surgeon Probationer Hugh J. Dingle, who is officially reported to have been killed in the naval battle off the coast of Jutland. He was one of the most popular and successful players for Durham University Rugby Club in recent years. He also played in the three-quarters line for Durham County., in company with his brother Mr A. J. Dingle, of Hartlepool Rovers who represented England against Ireland in 1913 and against Scotland in 1914. The latter served with the British Forces in Gallipoli where he lost his life early in the campaign.
The Whitby Gazette 09/06/1916 reports:-
The death in action on one of the destroyers has notified of Hugh J. Dingle, probationary surgeon, son of the Rector of Eaglescliffe, and nephew of Dr. Dingle, the Medical Officer of Middlesbrough. and nephew Miss Dingle, St. Hilda’s Terrace, Whitby. The brother of the deceased was killed while serving the Gallipoli Peninsula.
The Sunderland Echo 16/06/1916 reports:-
THE LATE SURGEON H. J DINGLE. Additional particulars are to hand concerning the death of Hugh John Dingle, the well-known Durham County Rugby player, who was killed in the recent naval battle. It seems that he was sitting in the cabin of a destroyer with Lieut. Spearman when a stray shell dropped into the cabin and killed both officers. The officers with four others and 28 seamen were interred with full naval honours. Admiral Beatty and staff were among those present at the funeral. Probationary Surgeon Dingle was a son of the Vicar of Eaglescliffe and nephew of Mr E.S. Dingle of this town. When war broke out the deceased offered his services as surgeon probationer and served as such on a destroyer for a considerable period. He then came ashore for his third year’s examination in connection with his medical career and passed through the Newcastle Medical College. He then obtained an appointment at the Newcastle Infirmary as temporary house physician and while there received word from the Admiralty to join a ship. This he did and within two or three days was killed. Deceased was only 22 years of age. His only brother was killed at the front some time ago.
Acknowledgements: Barney Rice.
His brother Arthur James Dingle also died in the Great War.
Hugh John Dingle is remembered at Durham on D47.020, D47.036, D47.043, in D47.057 page 207, in D47.091 page 111 and in D47.151 page 26, at Egglescliffe on E59.01, E59.02 and in E59.03, page 5, at Newcastle on NUT051 and NUT066, at Silksworth on S111.02 at Sunderland in S140.48 Part 10 and in S140.48 Part 14 and in our List of Ships’ Crews.
