DILLING, Edward Cecil

War
1st World War
Date of Birth
Date Attested
Attested at
Seaforth, Ontario
Original Unit
Regimental Number
654310
Rank
Private
Date of Death
Age at Death
25 years 7 months
Biographical Summary

DIVISIONAL UNIT:        4th Canadian Infantry Division, 10th Infantry Brigade, 47th Battalion - Western Ontario, Canadian Infantry Corps
SERVICE NO:              654310 
RESIDENCE:               Seaforth – Ontario 
DATE OF BIRTH:         January 1, 1893, Seaforth – Tuckersmith Township – County of Huron - Ontario
DATE OF DEATH:         August 23, 1918  25 years 7 months
CEMETERY:                Boves West Communal Extension – Boves – Somme – France
                                                   B     12.
PARENTS:                  Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Dilling – Kippen – Ontario
Occupation:                Farmer                                  
Religion:                     Methodist
Enlistment:              Seaforth – January 24, 1916 – 161st Huron Battalion
Enlistment Age:                 23 years

Following his arrival in England on November 11, 1916 Private Dilling proceeds into France to the Canadian Corp Reinforcement Depot and joins the 47th Battalion in the field on March 14, 1918.
Private Dilling died from wounds received during an attack on Fouquescourt August 23, 1918. He was very gravely wounded in the groin, bladder and buttocks by heavy enemy machine gun fire. He was immediately taken to No. 9 Canadian Field Ambulance and then to No. 49 British Casualty Clearing Station - Colincamps and shortly after that succumbed to those wounds.
The 47th Battalion assembled behind the 44th Battalion. “A” Company was right – “C” Company was left.  “B” & “D” Companies were right / left support.
The advance went forward at 10:15 am and they came under heavy fire that caused few problems. Further on heavy machine gun fire was met from an old trench system heavily wired and covered with long grass. About 1,000 yards west of Fouquescourt they met heavy machine gun fire. “A” Company moved forward with close support and engaged the enemy machine guns. They tried to work around the village and “A” Company along with the  44th Battalion attacked the village, penetrated to open ground and formed a defensive line. To the left “C” Company was involved in heavy and severe fighting against enemy machine guns. They then leap frogged the 44th Battalion and advanced until held up by enfilade fire from the right.
Even when the light was failing the enemy held out while Menelars Trench was consolidated and held for the night of August 23/24th.
Casualties were 12 killed and 79 men wounded.