Alexander William Hinds (1895-1980) | WikiTree FREE Family Tree

Alexander William Hinds

Born 12 Dec 1895 in Melbourne Victoria

Son of John Hutchison Hinds and Mary Scott (Brunton) Hinds

[sibling(s) unknown]

Husband of Ernesta Fanny (Bradley) Hinds — married 1921 in Victoria

Father of Alan John Hinds, Alexander Ernest Hinds and William Douglas Hinds

Died 28 Nov 1980 at age 84 in Forest Hill, Victoria, Australia

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Profile last modified 1 Jun 2023 | Created 25 Jun 2018

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Alexander Hinds is an Anzac who served in World War One.

Alexander Hinds was Wounded in Action during World War I.

1 Biography
2 Sources

Biography

The Early Years

Alexander was born on the 12th of December, 1895 to his father John Hutchison Hinds and his mother Mary Scott (Brunton) Hinds. He was born in Carlton, Melbourne, Victoria.^[1]

World War 1 - The Western Front

In 1913, Alexander joined 58th Infinity Essendon the Citizen Forces for 2 and half years.

Then on the 3rd of January, 1916, at the age of 20, Alexander joined Armed Forces to fight in World War 1. He probably tried to enlist early but due to his 5 feet 5 3/4 inches he would have been to short. At the beginning of the recruitment process in August 2014, they were only excepting men who were 5 feet 6 inches. By July 2015 they lowered the height requirement to 5 feet 2 inches.^[2]

On his enlistment papers it stated the following:^[3]
Regimental number: 5299
Place of birth: Melbourne Vic
Religion: Presbyterian
Occupation: Salesman
Address: 82 Athol Street, Moonee Ponds, Victoria [1]
Marital status: Single
Age at embarkation: 20
Next of kin: Father, John Hutchinson Hinds, 82 Athol Street, Moonee Ponds, Victoria
Enlistment date: 5 January 1916
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll: 3 January 1916
Rank on enlistment: Private
Unit name: 22nd Battalion, 14th Reinforcement
"'Description of Alexander on enlistment:

Height: 5 feet 5 3/4 inches
Weight: 130 lbs
Chest Measurements: 32.35 inches
Complexion: Medium
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown

From the 17th of January to 19 June 1916 Alexander was based at Royal Park, Melbourne, which was a camp for soldiers in during World War. ^[4] He was transferred during this time to the Unit the 22nd Battalion, 14th Reinforcement.

On the 28th of July 1916 the 14th Reinforcement unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A32 Themistocles ^[5]heading for England. They arrived at Plymouth England, and disembarked on the 11th of September 1916.

On the 14th of November 1916 the 14th Reinforcement unit left Folkestone England on the SS Victoria. Then on the 17th of November 1916 they arrived and marched into Étaples, France.

On the 20th of November,1916 Alexander was promoted from Private to Acting Corporal. From the 21st of December 1916 to 22nd of July 1917 Alexander spent in the field,where 22nd Battalion fought at Troneswood, Delville Wood, Quarry for Mericourt, Ribemont,Becourt Wood Camp near Fricourt via Meaulte, Butte de Warlencourt, Le Sars, Martinpuich,Gallwitz Trench, Shelter Wood Camp, Hexham Road, Gird Trench. You can follow exactly what happened at Following the Twenty-Second^[6]

On the 28th of May 1917, Alexander was promoted Lance-sergeant. On the 17th of August 1917, Alexander was wounded in action but remained on duty. From the 17th of August 1917 to the 19th of April 1918, Alexander remained in the field. On the 19th of April 1918, Alexander was wounded in action - shot in the thigh. This time it was considered severe. On the 24th of April 1918 Alexander was admitted to 1st Southern General Hospital, Edgbaston, England.

From the 24th of April 1918 to the beginning of October 1918 Alexander remained in hospital recovering. On the 9th of October 1918 he rejoined the battalion.

On the 7 of July 1919 finally he boarded the ship the HT Chemnitz headed for home. They disembarked on the 3rd of August 1919 nearly 2 months after leaving England. By the time he returned home he had been promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant for all his effort. He earned 2 medals - the Royal Victorian Medal (RVM) and the British War Medal.

World War 2

On the 8th of April, 1942, reenlisted in the Australian Army joining the 4 BATTALION VOLUNTEER DEFENCE CORPS. He was ranked as a Lieutenant. He discharged 3 years later from the Army, on 2 June, 1945. ^[7]

Alexander's twin boys - Alexander Ernest Hinds and Alan John Hinds also enlisted in the Armed services, World War 2. Alexander Ernest Hinds enlisted Australian Army on the 1 Aug 1939. ^[8] He was part of the 24/39 Battalion. He then discharged from the Army on the 12th of May 1941, and joined the Royal Australian Air Force on the 16th of May 1941 and was part of the 1 Wireless Unit as a Sergeant. ^[9] Alan John Hinds joined the Royal Australian Navy on the 27th of Jun 1941 and was ranked as an Able Seaman and discharged from the Navy on the 21 February, 1946. ^[10]

Civilian Life

In 1919 after returning home after the war, at the age of 24, according to voting records his home address was 22 Byron St Moonee Ponds ^[11]. He was back working as a Salesman.

In 1921, at the age of 26, Alexander married Ernesta Fanny Bradley in Melbourne, Victoria.^[12]. One year later, on the 13th of January, 1922, Alexander and Ernesta welcomed twin boys Alexander Ernest and Alan John.

In 1931, 9 years later the couple welcomed their 3rd child, another boy, William Douglas. Sadly William died a year later in March, 1932.

Alexander William Hinds died on 28 November 1980 in Forest Hill, Victoria, when he was 84 years old.^[13] His buried at Box Hill Cemetery, Box Hill, Whitehorse City, Victoria, Australia.^[14].