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North Western Advocate and the Emu Bay Times (Tas. : 1899 - 1919), Saturday 30 September 1916, page 2

A SOLDIER AND A MAN

TRIBUTES TO SERGEANT OWEN BINGHAM.

A short time ago Mr. and Mrs. T Bingham received the sad intelligence that their son, Sergt. Owen Bingham, had been killed in action at the battle of Romani, Egypt, when the Turkish army attacked the British forces with the view of securing command of the Suez Canal. Sergt. Bingham was attached to the Third Light Horse which played a conspicuous part in that conflict. The sad news, devoid of any details as to how he had met his death naturally caused the bereaved family keen sorrow. Nor was this feeling confined to the members of his family. He was a young man of great promise, one who inspired a feeling of . respect and admiration; and, the possessor of a genial temperament, he surrounded himself with a circle of friends who, with his parents, mourn his loss. The manner of his death is now being made known, and the details show the magnificent class of men this part of the Empire has sent forth to uphold its prestige and honor. They also show that he personally upheld the traditions of the British soldier in a manner that has called forth spontaneous expressions of admiration from those in command of the troops. A comrade, writing from the 3rd General Hospital, states: — I made inquiries and found a man who was with Owen when he was wounded, and the tale he told is one which even under the tragic termination must be some consolation to his parents in their great sorrow. The wounded man stated Owen was left with six or seven to the last, to cover the retreat of the others during the process of drawing the Turks on their horses being a mile . away. In retiring under a heavy fire Owen came upon this man, Corpl Bessier, lying wounded. He picked him up but became exhausted, the sand being very deep. He then start0 ed to drag him. At this stage another man came up, and together they got him another 100 yards, when Owen got a bullet in the leg. Bessier seems, a bit mixed and lost the run of Owen. This was all the information the writer could get, and when he wrote these words was hoping to hear that Sergt Bingham had been brought in to the hospital. The hope was never to be fulfilled, as the brave soldier had passed away. Lieut.-Colonel D. Fulton Third Light Horse, writing to the bereaved parents, says: — "Sergt. Bingham was killed in action on August 4. He Was one of the best N.C.O.'s I had in the regiment, and as a man set a splendid example to all those under him." On behalf of the officers, N.C.O.'s and men of the regiment he offered their deepest sympathy to Mr. and Mrs. Bingham

Major Bell, of the Third A.I.F also bears testimony to the services rendered by Sergt. Bingham. He says: "Your son was my troop sergeant in C squad for the time I commanded at Gallipoli. All officers had the same admiration for his fine soldierly qualities as myself. I think that the knowledge that your boy was so highly esteemed while living, and that he died like the gallant soldier that he was, will be some consolation in your grief." Capt. W. J. Bennett, in conveying his sympathy, savs: "The enemy were attacking most desperately, and it was only through having such brave men as your son that we were able to claim a victory. As a soldier and a man he was all that could be desired, and his place in the regiment will be hard to fill." Capt Bisdee. V.C., also adds words of consolation, and at the same time expresses his admiration for Sergt. Bingham's splendid qualities as a soldier.
He states the men did great work the day of the battle, and turned a very critical situation into a brilliant victory. He concludes a most touching testimony by saying: ' He now rests near his mates, who also gave their lives for the great cause ' It cannot be doubted that these tributes to tho noble young Tasmanian will be some consolation to the bereaved parents, and help to reconcile themselves to their great loss.

North Western Advocate and the Emu Bay Times (Tas. : 1899 - 1919), Monday 23 October 1916, page 1

THE SACRIFICE OF SERGT. BINGHAM

COMRADES' TRIBUTES TO A BRAVE SOLDIER. Some weeks ago Mr. and Mrs. T. Bingham, of Central Castra, received tho sad news that their son Sergeant Owen Bingham, had lost his life, after having carried a wounded comrade to safety at the Battle of Romani. Corporal H. Bessires, the camrade referred to, writing to Mr. and Mrs. Bingham, says:— 'I m writing you a few lines, as your son Owen was helping me when I was wounded. It is very hard for me to write you, as I have not heard how your boy got on. 'We were retiring at the time. I was hit in the right thigh. After getting back about 100 yards I was lying down, when Owen and another boy came up ; they took me along nearly to an ammunition limber when Owen was hit in the right thigh, I fear rather badly, as he just managed to crawl behind a small sand mound; that is the last I saw of him. Somehow. I don't know how I was got on to the limber, which immediately started, as the enemy were shelling them very heavily. Two other men and your son were left put, and but for your brave son I would never have got in. That is harder for me to bear than the pain of my wound; his misfortune came while helping me. Oh, it Is hard not knowing how he fared while I got to safety. Owen was a great friend of mine. We had been in the same troop for the last eight months, and had always been together. He had done great work that morning, and was one of the coolest men we had, and deserved distinction for the things I saw him do Believe me, Mr. and Mrs. Bingham, this letter is very hard for me to write, feeling sure that if they had not both ered about me. Owen would have got back to safety.' Another comrade, Private Frank Foster, also writes a most sympathetic letter, in which he says: — 'Sergt. Bing ham having met his death after carrying a wounded comrade to safety will in some measure help you to bear the burden of his loss. Owen was in command of his troop, his officers being sick in hospital. Cheerful as ever while under a hellish fire of shot and shell, he lacked neither coolness nor courage ; he did some grand work in the firing line, and helped a good many make light of the terrific fire which was poured in upon us. When the order came to retire he was the last but one to go. On the way back he found some boys struggling along with a wounded pal, one of Owen's corporals; he ordered them to retire, and he undertook to carry the corporal out; one man went with him to help, and they had almost reached safety when Owen was hit, though the life of the corporal was saved. Truly, a death worthy of a brave soldier of God and King. You will be proud to learn that for the second time his name has been mentioned in despatches, and of his action and others like it the regiment is justly proud I hope these few lines may be some consolation for the sacrifice which you have been called upon to make in the cause of Empire and the right'