Chaplain 4th Class Reverend Cecil Henry Bingham (241309) served in the Royal Army Chaplains' Department during the Second World War. Born on 6th December 1909, he was the son of the late John Henry Bingham and Elizabeth Bingham of “Benmuir”, Chequer Hill, Newry, Co. Down.
By the Irish Census of 1911, Cecil and his family were living in Dundalk, Co. Louth, Éire. He later graduated from Trinity College, Dublin, Éire. In 1933, he was ordained at Waterford Cathedral, Waterford, Éire.
I was interested to read the name of Cecil Henry Bingham as the winner of the Elrington Theological Prize in the University of Dublin. From enquiries I made, I found this was indeed the Rev. C.H. Bingham, so well-known and liked in Waterford during the years he served the Curacy of the Cathedral parish. Apart from the duties of his sacred calling, I remember him best for his good looks and his prowess in the field of sport, especially hockey. Somehow it never struck me that he would blossom forth in the little more than two years as an Elrington Prize man, the ambition of all Divinity students.
Waterford Standard, Saturday 18th December 1937.
In 1935, Bingham joined the clerical staff at Pershore Abbey, Pershore, Worcestershire, England under Vicar Dr. R.H. Murray. Reverend Bingham soon succeeded Reverend. Gilbert Pawson as Curate at Wick. After training at Pershore Abbey, Reverend Bingham began working at Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England.
Outside of the church, Bingham was a member of the Pershore Hockey Club and Pinvin Dramatic Society. He was also the Abbey Sunday School Superintendent, organiser of the Abbey Boys’ Club, and the first Secretary of the Pershore Youth Fellowship.
Service in the Second World War
The London Gazette listed Reverend Bingham as a Chaplain to the Forces on 28th August 1942. He would go on to minister to Airborne Troops in the British Army during the Italian Campaign. He died on 31st August 1944 aged 34 years old. A Requiem Mass and Memorial Service took place on Tuesday 26th September 1944 at Pershore Abbey. Vicar and Rural Dean Reverend Lancelot G. Bark assisted by Reverend T.H. Callendar conducted the service. Mr. Charles Mason provided musical accompaniment on the Abbey organ. Berrow’s Worcester Journal commented on the work, Reverend Bingham had undertaken at the Radcliffe Infirmary.
…must have stood him in good stead in these latter years, when he was called to bring succour and relief on battlefields. It was what they would have expected from his brave and eager disposition, that when he accepted the call to serve in the Forces, he should choose the most difficult and perilous work of all – a chaplain in the paratroops.
Berrow’s Worcester Journal, Saturday 30th September 1944.
Cecil Henry Bingham’s grave is in Section II, Row E, Grave 17 of Montecchio War Cemetery, Italy. His name is also on a memorial at Pershore Abbey, Pershore, Worcestershire, England. His headstone in Italy bears the inscription:
Precious in the sight of The Lord is the death of his saints. Mother.