John Dring

John Dring was the son of John and Hannah Dring (née Holmes). His father John was born in Burton Joyce in 1840, the son of Edward and Henrietta Dring; he was baptised at the parish church on 26 January 1840. John was still living in Burton Joyce in 1861 and probably worked as a framework knitter. His mother Hannah Holmes was the daughter of Edward Holmes and was born in Radford in about 1846. John Dring and Hannah Holmes were married in 1867 (J/F/M Radford) and had at least three children who were all born in Radford: Jane birth registered 1868 (J/F/M Radford), James b. 1870 (J/A/S Radford) and John b. 1872 (J/A/S Radford). In 1871 John (30), a framework knitter, and Hannah (24) a seamstress, were living in Taylor's Yard, Ilkeston Road, Radford, with their two children Jane (3) and James (under 1 year). Their son John was born the following year. John snr. may have died in 1872 (A/M/J Basford) aged about 32 and his widow Hannah married Alfred Plummer in 1877 (J/F/M Radford). Their son Joseph was born the same year (1877 A/M/J Radford). In 1881 Alfred (35 b. Newmarket Cambridge), a gas labourer, Hannah and their son Joseph (4) were living at 288 Ilkeston Road, Radford, with Hannah's father Edward Holmes (58) and her brother Anthony (22). Also in the household were Hannah's three children by her first marriage, Jane (13) a lace mender) James (10) and John (8). John joined the Sherwood Foresters in November 1890 on a Short Service Engagement (7 years with the Colours, 5 years Reserve). He gave his next of kin as his mother, Hannah (no surname), of 104 Niall Street, Old Radford. John was serving at home in 1891 before going abroad in 1893 but by 1901 he was again on home service and on the night of the census he was registered as a visitor at 334 Ilkeston Road, Nottingham (corporal 2nd Notts and Derby Regiment). This address was the home of his mother Hannah and her husband Alfred Plummer (53) a coal miner (banksman). Also in the household were their son Joseph (24) a coal miner labourer and their grandson John D Shelton (7). John was discharged from the army on 28 November 1902 having completed his 12 year engagement. He married Hannah White the following year (1903, J/F/M Nottingham) and in 1911 they were living at 324 Denman Street, Nottingham. Also in the household were two boarders, Alfed Newham (36) a miner road repairer, and Rhoda Cheesmuir (21) a laundry hand. His wife Hannah later lived at 60A St Peter's Street, Radford. There were no children of the marriage. His mother, Hannah Plummer, died in 1918 (O/N/D Nottingham).

John was a collier when he joined the Notts & Derby Regiment in 1890 on a Short Service Engagement having served in the 4th Bn (Militia). He was discharged from the army in 1902. In 1911 he was a miner (road repairer underground).

R.M.L.I., Portsmouth Battalion, Royal Naval Division. John attested in the Sherwood Foresters on 28 November 1890 at the age of 18 years 5 months; he was already serving with the 4th Bn Sherwood Foresters (militia). He joined the army on a 12 year Short Service Attestation (7 years with the Colours, 5 years in the Reserve), but in 1898 extended his service to 12 years with the Colours. He was posted (Private) initially to the 2nd Bn but was posted to the 1st Bn on 1 January 1891. He was tried and convicted in the civil courst on 10 June 1892 and sentenced to 7 days imprisonment and returned to duty on 17 June. He was promoted lance corporal on 16 October 1896 and to corporal on 4 July 1898 with promotion to lance sergeant following on 15 February 1901. He served at home until 1 March1893 (2y 94d) then in the East Indies from 2 March 1893-24 October 1899 (6y 237d), overseas (?Malta) from 25 October 1899-13 February 1901 (1y 112d) and home from 14 February 1901-29 November 1902 (1y 288d). He was tried twice by regimental court martial, in September 1901 and March 1902 (drunkeness) when he was reduced to the ranks and posted to the 2nd Bn in June 1902 as corporal. He was discharged on completion of his engagement on 28 November 1902. John transferred to the RMLI on a short service engagement on 16 September 1914. He embarked with the Royal Marine Brigade on 13 January 1915 and served with the Portsmouth Battalion in the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force from 28 February 1915. He suffered shell wounds to his head and neck on 19 August 1915 and died on 23 August 1915 onboard the hospital ship 'Gascon'. John was buried at sea and is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. He was awarded the india Medal in 1895, the clasp (Punjab) 1897-1898 and a second clasp (illegible) 1897-1898. He qualified for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. Dring was one of 'Kitchener's Marines' who were transferred from the Sherwood Foresters to the RMLI. Des Turner notes '600 RMLI transfers came from 2 regiments - 200 from the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI) and 400 from the Sherwood Foresters. They were predominantly ex-miners and labourers, fit men wanted for their ability to dig trenches and tunnels. The 200 KOYLI recruits were transferred to Plymouth Division RMLI and were given service numbers PLY/1(S) to PLY200(S). This was also the case for the Sherwood Foresters 200 who were dispatched to Portsmouth where already 30 men were recruited and so they became PO/31(S) to PO/230(S). 200 remaining Foresters went to Chatham and were numbered CH/1 to CH/200(S).'

Birth registration 1872 (J/A/S Radford). Enlisted in the Sherwood Foresters in 1890 age 18y. 5m. CWGC and notices in paper give age as 43 at death. RN & RM War Graves Roll DOB 7 August 1882 - correct year 1872. WW1 Pension Ledgers (Naval): his named relative was his wife, Hannah Dring. Notices in the paper gave his rank as lance corporal but the CWGC record has 'private'. Nottingham Evening Post. ‘Roll of Honour’, 6 September 1915: ‘Dring. Wounded August 19th, died August 23rd, Lance Corporal John Dring, Royal Marines, late 2nd Sherwood Foresters, aged 43 years, dearly beloved husband of Hannah Dring, of 60a, St Peter’s-street, Radford. He did his duty. His loving wife and mother.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, 29 September 1915, photograph with caption: ‘Lance-corpl J Dring, 60a, St Peter’s Street, Nottingham, died of wounds August 23.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) 'In memoriam' notice published Nottingham Evening Post, 22nd August 1916 :- “DRING. – In loving memory of 3025 Corpl. John Dring, late 1st Sherwood Foresters, 60a, St. Peter's-street, Radford, killed in action August 22nd, 1915. Ever in our thoughts. – From his nieces and nephews.” 'In memoriam' notices published Nottingham Evening Post, 23rd August 1916 :- “DRING. – In loving memory of John Dring, Royal Marines, died from wounds August 23rd, 1915. Too far away thy grave to see, but not too far to think of thee. – Loving wife. “DRING. – In memory of my dear chum, Lance-Cpl. Dring, died August 23rd, 1915, from wounds. Jack Meese.' Note: Pte. John Cecil Meese of the Portsmouth Battalion lived near Drings at 56 St. Peter's Street, Radford. 'In memoriam' notice published Nottingham Evening Post, 22nd August 1917:- “DRING. – Died of wounds at Alexandria [sic], August 23rd, 1915. L.-Cpl. John Dring, Royal Marines. Ever in our thoughts. – Loving nieces and nephew (at sea).” Above notices and information courtesy of Jim Grundy and his faceboook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918