Name
Charles Edward Spinks
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
11/01/1918
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
43355
Bedfordshire Regiment
7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ARTILLERY WOOD CEMETERY
XI. C. 2.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
EVER REMEMBERED BY HIS LOVING SISTERS AND BROTHER
UK & Other Memorials
Tring Town Memorial, St Peter & St Paul Church Roll of Honour, Tring
Pre War
Charles Edward Spinks was born in 1896 in Tring to Harry Gregory Spinks, and Sarah Charlotte (nee Turley).
On the 1901 Census the family of parents, William (born 1894), Charles E, Betty (Elizabeth, born 1896), Florence (born 1899) and Grandfather John Spinks (born 1827) at 36. Frogmore Street, Tring.
On the 1911 Census the family of parents, William (gravel carter on estate), Charles (errand boy), Elizabeth, Florence and Harry (born 1903) were living at 11 Frogmore Street, Tring.
Wartime Service
Charles enlisted in the Bedfordshire Regiment as Private 43355 and was posted into 7th (Service) Battalion in 54 Brigade of 18th (Eastern) Division. No Service record was found for Charles. He was probably sent to France around Jun 1916 taking part in the Battles of the Somme (1 Jul- 18 Nov 1916) and in 1917 the Arras Offensive ( 9 Ap-15 May) and The Battles of 3rd Ypres (Passchendaele, 31 Jul-10 Nov). Charles was killed in action on 11 Jan 1918 during a period of no major engagements during the everyday business of trench warfare.
This from the 7th Battalion’s War Diary: “10-1-18 54th Brigade moved into the line again in the HOUTHULST FOREST Sector in relief of 55th Inf. Bde. BABOON CAMP 1 pm 7th Bedfords relieved 7th Buffs in BABOON CAMP.
11-1-18 C Coy. practised wiring. Weather very cold. 5 pm B & D Coys. employed in carrying wiring material from KOKUIT DUMP to ADEN HOUSE - casualties 1 Killed. 2nd Lt. E. J. Scott joined the Bn. & posted to B Coy.” and later . . . .
“CASUALTIES DECREASES The Commanding Officer regrets to announce the following casualty. KILLED IN ACTION 43365 L/Cpl.Spinks, C. ‘B’ Coy. 11/1/18.”
From the Bucks Herald 26th January 1918: “ROLL OF HONOUR. − We have the deepest sympathy to record the death in action of yet another promising young man belonging to the town, Lance-Corpl. Charles E. Spinks of the 7th Beds Regiment. The sad news was sent by a comrade, who states that Spinks was killed by a sniper’s bullet when going on duty to the front line trenches on Jan. 11. He was 21 years of age, and had seen just over two year’s service, 19 months of which was spent in France. He was the son of the late Mr. H. and Mrs. Spinks, of Bunstrux Cottages, and before the war was employed on the Home Farm of the Tring Park Estate, where he was held in the highest esteem.
This is the second member of the family killed in the war, the older brothers Sergt. W. Spinks, of the Herts Regiment, being killed in action in September, 1916, and recommended for the D.C.M. for his special gallantry.
The deepest sympathy is felt with the two sisters and young brother of these two brave young fellow in this added weight of bereavement, for during the war they have not only lost by death these two brothers, but also both father and mother.”
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £9 10s and arrears of £2 12s 10d was paid to his sister Florence.
Brother William George served with Herts Regiment, awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal ans was killed in action on 26 Sep 1916.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
