Name
William George Spinks (DCM)
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/09/1916
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Serjeant
1732
Hertfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Distinguished Conduct Medal
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
AUCHONVILLERS MILITARY CEMETERY
II. I. 10.
France
Headstone Inscription
AT REST EVER REMEMBERED BY HIS LOVING SISTERS BESSIE & FLO & BROTHER HARRY
UK & Other Memorials
Tring Town Memorial, St Peter & St Paul Church Roll of Honour, Tring, Hertfordshire Regimental Memorial, All Saints Church, Hertford
Pre War
William George Spinks was born in 1894 in Tring to Harry Gregory Spinks, and Sarah Charlotte (nee Turley).
On the 1901 Census the family of parents, William, Charles Edward (born 1896), Elizabeth, (Betty born 1898), Betty (Elizabeth, born 1898), Florence (born 1899) and Grandfather John Spinks (born 1827) at living at 11 Frogmore Street, Tring.
On the 1911 Census the family of parents, William (gravel carter on estate), Charles (errand boy), Elizabeth, Florence and Harry (born 1903) were at 36, Frogmore Street, Tring.
William enlisted as a Territorial Soldier in the 1st/ 1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment as Private 1732 around Nov 1911.
Wartime Service
At the outbreak of the Great War William was already serving with 1st/ 1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment as Private 1732. No Service record was found for him. Having volunteered for overseas service he went to France in Nov 1914 with the Regiment taking part the Battles of Ypres 1914, Festubert 1915 as part of 4th (Guards) Brigade, 2nd Division Loos (25 Sep - 15 Oct), where William was awarded his DCM for making a reconnaissance under heavy fire,(see citation below).
before being transferred to 118 Brigade, 39 Division in Feb 1916. The Battalion was positioned on the northern part of the Somme battlefield and were repairing damaged trenches following German artillery barrage when he was killed by mortar fire on 26 Sep 1916.
The news of his death was conveyed to his father in a latter written by Corpl. Whitby, from ‘B.E.F., France.’ He says: – "DEAR MR. SPINKS, – You will have heard from other sources of the death of your son, Sergt. Spinks. I do not wish to intrude upon your grief, but I cannot refrain from letting you know how much he was admired and respected throughout the whole Battalion. The platoon wish me to convey their sympathy with you in your great bereavement, and to say that your loss is also theirs. As you know, he had only been in charge of the platoon for a very short period, but during that time we had learnt to have great confidence in him. He was always cool, steady and reliable – a fine Briton. He was killed by a German trench mortar bomb yesterday evening, and death was instantaneous and without suffering."
Citation for DCM: 1732 L/Cpl. (A/Cpl) W. G. SPINKS 1st Bn. TF - For conspicuous gallantry. He had been ordered to make a difficult and dangerous reconnaissance; he went over the parapet, the enemy being only 50 yards distant, and firing heavily. He returned, and his report saved a useless waste of fire.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £12 was paid to sister Elizabeth who also received £17 18s 8d arrears, his sister Florence received £11 3s 9d arrears. Brother Charles served with 7th Bedfordshire Regiment and was killed in action on 11 Jan 1918
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
