Kent and Sussex Courier Friday 01/06/1917

Kent & Sussex Courier Friday 26/10/1917

Sussex Agricultural Express Friday 01/09/1916

Sussex Agricultural News Friday 01/06/1917

He was born at Coudon on the 8th September 1887, the eldest son of the late Dr Dinsmore of Coldstream, Berwickshire.

[John had a younger brother called George Hastings Stone Dinsmore, born 1893, at Coldstream, who emigrated to Canada in 1911 to work for the Canadian Bank of Commerce. He was employed in the inspector's department at the head office in Toronto when he joined the 74th Battalion as a lieutenant in July 1915. George then transferred to the R.F.C. in 1917, rose to the rank of captain, he returned to Canada in September 1918. In 1929 he was residing in St Thomas, Ontario, prior to moving to Montreal].

Both brothers had younger sister called Florence, who on the 5th November 1919 married in South Africa at Johannesburg, to a James Lorraine Trainer, Dental Surgeon, L.D.S., Edinburgh (of Kimberley), son of John L. Trainer, Parade, Berwick-upon-Tweed.

John was educated at the Kelso High School and entered the Bank of England in 1907.

He married at the Parish Church, East Grinstead, 15th August 1916, Anita, [Norfolk House, Crescent Road, East Grinstead], who was the daughter of C.E Johannes, of Buenos Aires, retired Vice-Consul for the Argentine Republic.

John and Anita resided at Norfolk House, Crescent Road, East Grinstead, Sussex.

He obtained a commission from the 3rd Battalion East Kent Regiment on the 5th June 1915. John was appointed a 2nd Lieutenant on the 12th June 1915.

From August, John was attached to the 1st Battalion where he was wounded at Hooge and invalided home. He returned to France on the 14th September 1916, and was attached to the 6th Battalion. From October, John was appointed the assistant adjutant for the Battalion and during the period January to May was attached to the staff, after joining his own Battalion.

John was killed in action at Monchy-au-Bois, during the battle of Arras on the 3rd of May 1917 while leading his company.

De Ruvigny Roll of Honour

"At the action fought a Monchy-le-Preux, Pas de Calais, France on the 3rd of May 1917 during the 'Third Battle of the Scarpe', the 6th Battalion suffered at least 376 casualties amongst its officers and other ranks they being a combination of killed, wounded and missing. The battalion having spent the preceding night waiting in shell holes for zero hour which had been set for 0345 hour with 'A' Company on the right flank. 'B' Company on the left, with 'C' Company supporting, and the officers and men of 'D' Company behind those of 'B' Company the battalion formed up ready to take part in the days attack. Exactly at the agreed time the British artillery commenced firing as a prelude too, and in support of the battalion, who as with the gunner also left their start area on time as ordered and set off on total darkness, as the battalion pressed on every effort was made to keep communication with them. Second Lieutenant McAuley, the battalion signalling officer along with two of the battalion signallers and two orderlies, went forward to establish an advanced HQ in what was known as Devil's Trench, but he later returned at 0430 hours and reported that no communication had been possible. A fairly early indication however that all was apparently going well, was when two German prisoners were sent back down the line from battalion, but at that time nothing definite could be ascertained, even later on when daylight came, gunfire and snipers made it hard to get any news of how matters were proceeding, but at dusk it was discovered that the battalion had already suffered a substantial number of casualties, and that despite the sacrifices being made by the battalion of all ranks the line in their front was practically as before.

With the growing concern of the continuous loss of officers at the time which was so serious that Second Lieutenant's Seago and Sowter were sent for from the detail camp and arriving about 2200 hours, and very quickly were sent forward to reorganise the remnants of a devastated battalion.

Part of the objective allotted the battalion on the morning of 3rd May 1917 had been a spot called Keeling Copse, and it was found after the battalion had taken stock of its significant losses, that Second Lieutenant's P.A Cockeram and Norman O. F. Gunther with about 40 men and a Lewis gun had actually got there, only to then realize that they were completely isolated with the enemy infantry having reformed its line behind them, and both sides being their original trenches, the result being that three lines of Germans intervened between this handful of men and their comrades, nothing daunted however, they held their own all day during which time they accounted for many of the enemy soldiery surrounding them. Under the cover of darkness when night fell, and by then having expended every cartridge and bomb they possessed, they gallantly fought their way back again, breaking through one line after another, until at last the two subalterns and thirteen of the men with them were able to report themselves to battalion Head Quarters.

The casualties in this terrible action were Second Lieutenant' John H[astings] Dinsmore and Harold V. Hardey-Mason killed, and Captain John B. Kitchin died of wounds; Capt McDermott and Second Lieutenant's Williams and H.G. Nesbitt wounded; Second Lieutenant's Charles Warnington. Athol Kirkpatrick. H.W. Evans and R.L.F. Forster, Lieutenant's K.L. James, Grant, King and Wills posted as missing of whom the first five wee found to have been killed; 25 other ranks were also killed plus 128 wounded and in attrition to which 207 were initially reported as being missing, but ultimately many were later found to have lost their lives during and resulting from the attack of 2nd and 3rd May 1917.

About 2 a.m. on the 4th the remnant was relieved and got back and, next day was reorganized into 2 companies each of only 2 platoons. No 1 Company. 2nd Lt Stevens in command, with Sowter, Seago and Sankey under him; No 2 Company, under Captain Carter, 2nd Lts Gunther and Cockeram. It was only rested in Arras for 48 hours and then underwent another 10 ten days in the trenches before being relieved on the 17th, on which day it went to Duisans."

Historical Records of the Buffs with thanks.

On Friday the 26th October 1917, the birth of a baby daughter was announced. "Dinsmore- On October 18th 1917, at St Catherine's Nursing Home East Grinstead, Sussex, Anita Dinsmore, wife of the late Lieut. J.H. Dinsmore, The Buffs, of a daughter"

Kent and Sussex Courier Friday 26/10/1917.

He is not remembered in the North East but is remembered at the Dover United Reformed Church.

Royal East Kent Regiment 3rd Foot The Buffs
The CWGC entry for 2nd Lieutenant Dinsmore