Name
Eric Russell Sinclair (MC)
10 April 1897
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
13/10/1918
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lieutenant
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Military Cross
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
AUBERCHICOURT BRITISH CEMETERY
II. C. 13.
France
Headstone Inscription
IN A SHORT TIME HE FULFILLED LONG YEARS
UK & Other Memorials
Digswell House Australian Hospital Memorial, St John's Church, Digswell
Pre War
Eric Russell Sinclair was born on 10 April 1897 in Ipswich, Queensland, Australia, the eldest son of Russell and Margaret Sinclair, later of Stroma, Elamang Avenue, Kirriville, Sydney, New South Wales.
He was educated at Sydney Church of England Grammar School, where he was prefect and captain of Boats, and Lieutenant in the Cadet Company.
Wartime Service
He came to England in March 1916 and joined the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders on 6 May, receiving a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in November of the same year. He served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from January 1917 and was severely wounded at Passchendaele on 20 September being awarded the Military Cross for "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in an attack. Though wounded at the beginning of the attack he went forward and established his platoon in a good position on their objective. When heavily counter-attacked, he showed a fine example of courage and initiative which contributed largely to the repulse of the enemy."
He was invalided to England and during convalescence was appointed to command a Labour Corps detachment at Bracebridge, near Lincoln. He was promoted to Lieutenant in January 1918 and re-joined his battalion in France in August 1918 but was killed in action near Lieu St Amand, north of Cambrai on 13 October 1918, age 21.
Tributes to him from his Commanding Officer and fellow officers stated "His men admired him immensely for his fine physique, for his cheerful nature and for his ability. We cannot replace a man of his kind easily." "He was esteemed not only for his military abilities but also for his sterling character." "I think he was the finest officer the battalion had . . . and I did admire him for his straightness and sincerity." "His men ask me to say he was the best officer they ever had. They would follow him anywhere".
Additional Information
His father, R Sinclair Esq, Stroma, Elemang Avenue, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, ordered his headstone inscription: "IN A SHORT TIME HE FULFILLED LONG YEARS". Probate was granted in Sydney to Russell Sinclair (his father) and sealed in London on 26 July 1919, with effects of £473 19s 7d. The attorney for his executor, Thomas Calander Wade Esq received £108 2s 5d pay owing and £5 war gratuity.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
aif.adfa.edu.au
