Benjamin Tingley was born at Chailey in early 1897, his birth recorded at Lewes in the March quarter of that year. He appears on the 1901 census as a four year old living at North Common, Chailey.  The household comprised, Moses Tingley (head, aged 33, working as a boot maker), his wife Mary Ann Tingley (aged 31) and their five children: Esther Tingley (aged seven), Ruth Tingley (aged five), Benjamin, William George Tingley (aged two) and Ebenezer Tingley (aged five months).

 

Chailey Parish Magazine notes in October 1914 that Benjamin Tingley is serving his King and Country.  In October 1915 it notes that he is a gunner serving with the Royal Field Artillery in France.  The National Archives records his army number as 82017 and he appears to have served throughout the war, his name appearing monthly in the parish magazine up to and including July 1919.

 

Chailey Parish magazine mentions three other Tingley men who served their King and country during the First World War.  It is probable that these are William George Tingley (his brother), his uncle William Henry Tingley and his cousin, also William Henry Tingley.

 

 

Sources and Acknowledgements

 

• 1901 Census of England and Wales
• The National Archives’ on-line medal information card index
• Chailey Parish Magazine