Private S/1927 William Hinett
Photograph of William courtesy of great-nephew Nigel Salter.
Died France & Flanders on Monday, 17th April 1916, age 22.
Buried in Grave I. C. 2. at Essex Farm Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.
'A' Company of 12th Bn., Rifle Brigade. 60th Brigade of 20th Division.
Son of Thomas and Matilda Hinett, of 171, Horseley Heath, Tipton, Staffs.
Born: Tipton, Enlisted: West Bromwich, Resident: Tipton.
First landed France & Flanders, 21st July 1915.
Medal entitlement: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives survived and transcribed.
Commemorated on the Tipton Library, and St. Luke's memorials.
Commemorated here because he appears on a Tipton memorial.
Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/159447/
Genealogical Data
Birth of William Hinett registered June quarter 1893 in Dudley.
1901 Census
171 Horseley Heath, Tipton, Staffs.
Thomas Hinett (49, General Labourer, born Tipton), his wife Matilda (43, born Tipton), and their 6 children: Joseph (14, Barrow Loader in Forge, born Tipton), Sarah (12, born Tipton), Samuel (11, born Tipton), William (7, born Tipton), Elizabeth (5, born Tipton), and Henry (1 month, born Tipton).
1911 Census
171 Horseley Heath, Tipton, Staffs.
Thomas Hinett (60, General Labourer, born Tipton), his wife Matilda (50, born Tipton), and 4 of their 6 surviving children of 8: Joseph (24, General Labourer, born Tipton), Samuel (20, Grocer's Assistant, born Tipton), William (18, Shovel Turner, born Tipton), and Elizabeth (15, born Tipton).
Personal Data
A family story says that William and his 'sweet-heart' Rose May Read were about to marry, but he was killed. This young lady subsequently married William's older brother, Joseph.
William enlisted on 4th September 1914 at the Town Hall, West Bromwich, aged 21 years. He was 5 feet 6 inches tall with a 35-inch chest, weighed 130 pounds, and was employed as a Galvaniser. He had a fresh complexion, brown eyes and light brown hair.
William was initially posted to the Depot Battalion, then to the 9th Battalion on 10th September 1914, and then to the 12th Battalion on 1st October 1914. Training took place at Blackdown, Witley and then in April 1915 to Larkhill. He was absent from duty for 7 days from 24th May 1915 to 31st May 1915, for this he was sentenced to 14 days Field Punishment No. 2 and forfeited 7 days pay.
It seems likely that William enlisted in the Rifle Brigade with near neighbour, S/1931 William Wordworth; their early careers were identical. On June 1st 1915, they even had the same punishment of 14 days Field Punishment No.2 and 7 days loss of pay - a joint decision to overstay their leave in Tipton? They were separated in October 1915 after Wordsworth was hospitalised following a facial injury, and his return to France was with the 8th Battalion, Rifle Brigade. He was killed on October 1st 1916.
After William's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £0/19/8d (19 shillings and 8 pence); this was paid to his mother and sole legatee, Matilda, in July 1916. His War Gratuity was £7/0/0d (7 pounds exactly), this was also paid to his mother in September 1919. The value of the War Gratuity suggests that William had enlisted in approximately September 1914.
William's mother, Mrs Matilda Hinett, was awarded a Dependant's Pension of 6/0d (6 shillings) per week, effective from 18th April 1917. Her address at that time was 171 Horsley Heath, Tipton. The Pension Card records that William "died from natural causes".
Action resulting in his death
The 12th Rifle Brigade was attached to 60th Brigade of 20th (Light) Division. The Division was inspected by King George V at Knighton Down on 24 June 1915, by which time the Division was judged ready for war. On 21st July 1915 William first landed in France, the Division completed concentration in the Saint-Omer area, all units having crossed to France during the preceding few days. Early trench familiarisation and training took place in the Fleurbaix area, moving to the Ypres Salient in February 1916.
No great battles were fought by the 20th Division before William's death in April 1916, by which time they had served a number of tours in the Ypres Salient. A letter dated 19th February 1917 signed by 2/Lt. F. H. Turner of the 12th Rifle Brigade stated: "The Rifleman died from illness due to field operations and fatigue". This was on 17th April 1916, and William was buried at Essex Farm Cemetery, near Ypres..
Newspaper Cuttings
None.