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Pte. Edward Dearing
British Army 1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment
from:3 Studds Cottages, North Hyde, Southall, Middlesex
(d.3rd Sep 1916)
Ted Dearing signed up at Kingston Upon Thames in February 1915 at the age of 16 years old. Like many he lied about his age as on his service records his birth date is given as 22nd October 1896, this is wrong as he was born in Paddington, London on the 22nd October 1898. His brother Arthur was serving in France with the 8th Royal Fusiliers and Ted wanted to follow. It is known that he served his whole service with the 1st East Surreys and fought at Vimy Ridge and then moved south onto the Somme.
He was Killed in Action on 3rd September 1916 just before his 18th birthday. Family legend has it that he was heading with his battalion towards Guillemont. He never made his objective and is believed to be resting with the other unknown men of that day in the woodland of Delville Wood.His body has never been found, he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing. Pier and Face 6 B and 6 C. He is still spoken about most months in our family and is very dearly missed though none of us knew him.
