Pte
Harry Pinches

Informatie over geboorte

Geboortejaar:
1887
Geboorteplaats:
Wordsley, Staffordshire, Engeland, Verenigd Koninkrijk

Algemene Informatie

Beroep:
Glassnijder

Informatie legerdienst

Land:
Engeland, Verenigd Koninkrijk
Strijdmacht:
British Expeditionary Force
Rang:
Private
Service nummer:
TF/235250
Dienstneming plaats:
Brierley Hill, Staffordshire, Engeland, Verenigd Koninkrijk
Eenheden:
 —  The Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment), 1/7th Bn.  (Laatst gekende eenheid)

Informatie over overlijden

Datum van overlijden:
16/08/1917
Plaats van overlijden:
Westhoek, Zonnebeke, België
Doodsoorzaak:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Leeftijd:
30

Begraafplaats

Tyne Cot Cemetery
Plot: L
Rij: B
Graf: 6

Onderscheidingen en medailles 2

British War Medal
Medaille — 19/08/1920
Victory Medal
Medaille — 19/08/1920

Points of interest 3

#1 Geboorteplaats
#2 Dienstneming plaats
#3 Plaats van overlijden (bij benadering)

Mijn verhaal

Harry Pinches was born in 1887 in Wordsley, Staffordshire. According to the 1911 Census he worked as a Glass Cutter, while living at Belle Vue no. 1 in Wordsley. Harry was married to Lily Chamberlain. They had three children. Two daughters, Hilda and May, and one son, named Harry. Harry was possibly drafted in 1916 and by the time of the Battle of Passchendaele he was serving with the Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment), 1/7th Battalion, part of the 167th Brigade, of the 56th (1st London) Division.

On 16 August 1917 the 1/7th Middlesex participated in the Battle of Langemark, a phase of the Passchendaele offensive. The objective of the attack was to establish positions on the western edge of Polygon Wood. At first the attack seemed to go well, but the advance was soon checked by determined German resistance. The 1/7th Middlesex was in reserve, but to support the attack both “A” and “D” Companies were ordered forward. To no avail. At 1 p.m. it was reported that all attacking parties had been forced back, having suffered heavy casualties while retreating through the German shell fire.

When the Germans launched a counter-attack around 5 p.m. the rest of the Battalion was sent to the Westhoek Ridge. They were to hold the ridge at all cost. The German attack did not develop, but the Battalion had been exposed to heavy German shell fire, while holding positions near the hamlet of Westhoek on the Westhoek Ridge.

Private Harry Pinches was one of the many men who lost their lives on the Westhoek Ridge. The thirty-year-old was killed in action on 16 August 1917, leaving behind a young family. Harry was buried by his comrades in a grave near Westhoek. His remains were exhumed after the war and interred in Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot L Row B Grave 6, where Harry still rests today.

Bestanden 1

Bronnen 5

"Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account", McCarthy C., London, Uniform, 2018, pg. 50-51.
Gebruikte bronnen
Ancestry
https://www.ancestry.com/
Verdere verwijzing
CWGC
https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/464294/pinches,-harry/
Gebruikte bronnen
The Long, Long Trail
https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/
Gebruikte bronnen
War Diary The Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment), 1/7th Bn.
http://www.nmarchive.com/
Verdere verwijzing