Lionel Dorling


Lionel Dorling, was a British Army officer.

Early years

Dorling was born on 7 August 1860 the son of Henry and Elizabeth Dorling of Epsom. He was educated at Charterhouse School between 1873 and 1878, and commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 105th Foot on 13 August 1879.

Military career

Dorling was commissioned a lieutenant in the 5th battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment on 15 November 1879, and transferred to the King′s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry when he received a commission in the regular army. He served as Adjutant of the militia battalion from 30 May 1882 to 20 November 1887, during which he was promoted to captain in his actual regiment on 25 August 1884.
In 1893 he was seconded from the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry for service in the Army Pay Department.

War Service

Dorling served in South Africa throughout the Second Boer War from 1899 to 1902. He was Field Paymaster to the Natal Field Force, which took part in the effort to Relieve Ladysmith, and he was thus present at the battles of Colenso and the Tugela Heights. Promoted to major on 23 March 1900, he stayed in South Africa until after the war ended in June 1902, leaving for England on the SS Dunvegan Castle in October that year. For his service he was Mentioned in Despatches, received the Queen’s Medal with 5 clasps and the King’s Medal with 2 clasps, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in the October 1902 South Africa Honours list.
He was promoted to lieutenant-colonel on 3 July 1906.
From 1 May 1905, he was employed with the Army Accounts Department.
In December 1888 Dorling married Constance Price, daughter of William Henry and Ada Price in Karachi. They had one son Lionel Henry Godfrey Dorling, born in Lichfield, Staffordshire in September 1889.
Dorling died on 11 July 1925 at Littlehampton, Sussex.

Honours and awards