Newspaper Accounts of William Henry Wilbraham Pringle

There were not very many newspaper articles published that referenced young William Henry Wilbraham Pringle (called "Henry"). Aside from a few references published in the Army Lists, Henry was not mentioned in a newspaper until his return to England (from service with the Bengal Army in India) on medical leave.

The first report of Henry Pringle's return was published in the "The Indian News" in June 1856 (page 306):

June 30, 1856
HOME INTELLIGENCE.
East India House
Arrivals Reported in England
Ensign W.H.W. Pringle . . . . . . Bengal 22nd N.I.

Over a year later, another report was published stating that Henry's medical leave had been extended. This was seen in "Allen's Indian Mail", in August 1857 (page 492):

Aug. 1, 1857
The undermentioned officers having produced medical certificates have been granted permission to remain for the periods specified below, commencing from the 15th inst. viz. :—
W.H.W. Pringle, 22nd N.I., 4 months

Sadly, the next time that Henry's name appeared in a newspaper it appeared in death notices and inquest reports. The first one was short – a death notice published in papers across the country. This transcription is taken from "The Times" (21 Dec 1858):

PRINGLE.— On the 17th inst., suddenly, at the Great Northern Railway Hotel, aged 22, William Henry Wilbraham Pringle, Lieutenant 22d N.I. Bengal Army, eldest son of Colonel J.H. Pringle, late Coldstream Guards.

A short notice about the inquest followed a few days later in the "Hampshire Telegraph" (24 Dec 1858):

On Monday, an inquest was held in London on the body of Mr. William Henry Wilbraham Pringle, aged 22, son of Colonel Pringle, and lieutenant in the 22nd Bengal Native Infantry. It appeared that the deceased had recently returned from India invalided, from the effects of the sun, which had rendered him subject to fits. He breakfasted with his father at the Great Northern Railway Hotel, on Friday morning, and then went to the closed, where, shortly after, he was found lying on the the floor doubled up and quite dead. He had died in a fit.

The longest and most informative article appeared two days later in "The Era" (26 Dec 1858):

ACCIDENTS AND OFFENCES. MELANCHOLY OCCURRENCE AT THE GREAT NORTHERN HOTEL -- On Monday, Mr. Wakely held an inquest at the Globe Tavern, Derby-street, King's-cross, on the body of Mr. Wm. Henry Wilbraham Pringle aged twenty-two, son of Colonel Pringle, and lieutenant in the 22d Bengal Native Infantry, whose death took place at the Great Northern Railway Hotel under the following melancholy circumstances:--- Colonel John Henry Pringle said he resided at 4, Bentinck-street, Cavendish-square. The deceased was his son, and was a lieutenant in the 22d Native Infantry, Bengal Army. Some time since he returned from India invalided from the effects of the sun, which had caused him occasionally to be subject to fits. He had been recently at Cambridge, as it was felt that he would be obliged to relinquish the army, the state of his health not permitting his return to India. He was most abstemious, drinking nothing but water. Deceased arrived from Cambridge on the 15th, and they were staying together at the Great Northern Railway Hotel. On Friday morning they partook of breakfast together, and the deceased left him to go to the closet. After an absence of about a quarter of an hour, as he did not return, witness became alarmed, and on the closet door being burst open the deceased was found lying on the floor doubled up, with his head reclining against the wall, and on being removed to an apartment he was found quite dead. He had had a slight fit about a fortnight before, but was not insensible more than a minute and a half. He had not been wounded in service. Mr. Joseph Shelding, surgeon, of Euston-square, said, on making a post-mortem examination, he found considerable congestion of the membranes, and great effusion on the surface of the brain. The cause of death was extravasation of blood on and congestion of the brain. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

Just one more notice followed in "The Gentleman's Magazine" of January 1859:

Suddenly, at the Great Northern Railway Hotel, aged 22, Wm. Henry Wilbraham Pringle, Lieut. 22nd N.I. Bengal Army, eldest son of Col. J.H. Pringle, late Coldstream Guards.