Thomas Pinkney
Letter page 1
Letter page 2
Edward Henderson
T. Pinkney reported as missing.
Thomas 'Tot' Pinkney was the eldest of 7 children, born 5th June 1894, the eldest son of Thomas and Mary Pinkney, who lived at 91 Westcott Road, South Shields, Durham, before moving to 39 Geoffrey Street at Whiteleas.
Before the war 'Tot' worked as a putter at Harton Colliery and had resided at Lemon Street at Tyne Dock, South Shields.
Thomas enlisted on August 10th 1914. He was based at HMS Satellite and then joined the Nelson Battalion of the Royal Naval Division. He arrived at Gallipoli on April 25th 1915 and was killed in action on July 13th, aged 21.
In the Shields Gazette (photo on right) A.B. Thomas Pinkney , R.N.D. reported missing since the 13th July, 1915 was now reported killed. Age 21.
Petty Officer D.H. Methuen (K/6621) reported seeing his dead body - so we know he was KIA.
He sent a letter, dated June 1915, written in Egypt when he was recuperating from dysentry Three weeks later, he was killed at Achi Baba Nullah. In the letter he refers to an action that took place in early June. This was known as the third Battle of Krithia. This was the same day that the Collingwood Battalion was annihilated.
Also in the letter he mentions some of his comrades and friends. These have been identified by Peter Hoy as AB. William Douglas, born 1889; Leading Seaman John (Jack) Curbison, Hood Battalion, killed in action November 13th 1916 aged 23; AB. Thomas Heslop Adamson, Hood Battalion, (later the Collingwood Battalion) who died of wounds July 1st 1915; AB Hunter Hislop, Hood Battalion, born 1895. He was taken prisoner in February 1917; AB. Edward Henderson, Anson Battalion (later the Collingwood Battalion) killed in action November 13th 1916 (he was one of four Brothers in the services,) see photo, and finally Petty Officer Henry (Harry) Raine, Hood Battalion, killed in action November 13th 1916 aged 24.
He was also one of the Five Tyne Dock Butterfly Club members who gave their lives in WW1.
Here is a transcript of the letter as follows:- Dear Father and Mother, Just a few lines to let you know that I am fit and well again and have got my discharge from hospital. I have gone through an operation for deafness and it has been successful and they have cured me of dysentry (sic) which is an awful thing to have. Send some more tabs and matches through because they are very scarce out here if we have no money. My pay number is Z76T. It may be a bit before I go in the firing line as I will have to wait of a ship to take me there. I was in Cairo the other night and it was grand. It is the bonniest place I have seen. I saw the pyramids on Saturday. If it was not so hot I could stay out here for ever. The heat knocks all the go out of a lad. I hear our battalion has lost heavily again, so there won’t be many left when I get back. I have seen Billy Douglass in the firing line and one of the Coxon lads and John Curbison and Tommy Adamson and Topper Hislop and young Henderson. I never got the chance to see Harry Raine. I went to look for him but could not find him. Just fancy, 21st birthday in hospital and not even a bit spice cake for tea. I have been three days in convalesent (sic) camp and we are getting better fed than ever since I listed [enlisted]. Dough (?) every day and niggers to wait on us and can get as much as we want. I am expecting this lot to be over before September and get Xmas at home and then go to France if it is not over there. Young Haley has been wounded in the foot and is in the hospital. I had steak and tomatoes for breakfast this morning. I will now close with love.
To all.
Tot.
Source: James Hoy Archive
He is rememberedat South Shields on S86.043 and at Harton on H93.39
