Heslop's Local Advertiser
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
James Hinksman was born at Heworth, Gateshead, County Durham in 1890 the son of Richard Hinksman born 1859 at South Shields, Northumberland and Martha Underwood native of Liverpool, Lancashire born 1861. The Underwood family in 1881 were living at Warrington, Lancashire moving to the north east where Martha and Richard met and married in the district of Tynemouth in 1882. They had 6 children of whom only 4 survived, all sons. His father worked for the next twenty years as a boiler maker, the family moved to Lavery Street and later in 1911 to Armstrongs Buildings, Felling-on-Tyne, Heworth, Gateshead. At the age of 21 James worked as an apprentice riveter, his brothers’ Richard and Thomas were employed at the colliery. During the second quarter of 1911 his mother Martha died, aged 50 years, his father remarried to a lady named Elizabeth.
James Hinksman enlisted at the outbreak of the Great War, August 31st 1914 at Felling, Gateshead and was assigned as Private 18276 to the 11th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, the same as that of his brother Thomas. The Battalion underwent training and was moved from Newcastle-upon-Tyne to Whitley, then Pribright. Posted as a Pioneer Battalion August 18th 1915 they returned to Whitley then on to Larkhill in March 1915. They crossed to Boulogne in France as part of the 60th Brigade, 20th (Light) Division, January 4th 1916. During the Battles of the Somme the 11th often worked at night repairing old and digging new trenches. In early September they fought to recapture the ruins of Guillemot and were preparing to spend the winter in the trenches.
Private James Hinksman was wounded in action and died of his wounds, October 5th 1916, at the Field Ambulances (XVI C. M. D. S.) who came and established a camp to the north of Carnoy Village in July 1916 and was interred at Carnoy Military Cemetery, Somme, France, grave Q. 5. He was 27 years old and single.
Richard Hinksman, his father, living at 1, William Street, Felling as sole beneficiary received all monies due to him and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
All the Hinksman brothers served during WW1, Amos Tomlinson, the eldest, a boiler maker by trade, married to Elizabeth Edwards in 1905 with a daughter Mary Annie, served as Private 8636 with the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers entering the theatre of war in France, November 23h 1914. He was discharged under King’s Regulation (xvi) no longer fit for military service, exact date/circumstances unknown, awarded 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. He died at Heworth, County Durham in 1948 aged 63.
Richard Hinksman Jnr. a coal miner was attested August 17th 1914 and assigned the following day as Private 3052 Black Watch. He was discharged September 16th 1914 under King’s Regulations 392 (c) having been found physically unfit for further service.
Thomas Hinksman a colliery worker enlisted August 28th 1914, three days prior to his brother James and both were assigned to the 11th Battalion. Thomas was transferred to the 10th then 15th Battalion. Killed in action March 21st 1918, aged 21 years, his sacrifice is recorded at Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France. Awards 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
James' death was reported in Heslop's Local Advertiser 17/11/1916:
"Private J. Hinksman, died of wounds, Oct. 5th, aged 25 years. Son of Richard and the late Martha Hinksman, of Felling."
James Hinksman is remembered at Felling on F32.07 and F32.23 and at Heworth onH92.03
