Military History

Military Medal: Arras - On April 9th 1917 this N.C.O. under heavy enemy fire and without any regard to his own personal safety continued to serve his gun, notwithstanding that the next gun had received a direct hit, killing 10 and wounding 5. (Gazette)

Bar to Military Medal: Flanders - On the evening of August 10th 1917 the battery in action on the canal bank at Boesinghe was being heavily shelled. Two guns were put out of action and their camouflage as well as that of one other gun was set alight; the ammunition started exploding. 2nd Lieut. Philip at once collected a party, the detachments having been cleared to a flank, consisting of 2nd Lieut. Malby, Sergeant Kinman and Gunner Dixon, which worked for 20 minutes under continuous shell fire, with the ammunition continuing to explode, until all fires were extinguished and the guns recamouflaged. By their prompt action, a large quantity of ammunition was saved and the guns preserved from further damage. (Gazette)

Service History

• 06 Aug 1914 - Enlisted in Leamington Spa
• 18 Dec 1915 - Promoted to A/Bombadier
• 15 Jun 1916 - Promoted to Bombadier
• 25 Apr 1917 - Promoted to Sergeant
• 06 Jul 1917 - Awarded the Military Medal
• 18 Oct 1917 - Awarded the Bar to Military Medal
• 30 Nov 1917 - Wounded by enemy Gas shell
• 19 Feb 1918 - Discharged due to the effects of Gas

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Circumstances of Death

William was discharged from the Army on medical grounds on 22nd February 1918 after being gassed in the field on (see below). On 5th November 1918 William died of Influenza and Pneumonia at his home, 77 Clopton Street, Stratford on Avon in the presence of his father William Snr.

Obituary - Stratford Herald - Friday 7th December 1917
GASSED SERGEANT NORMAN KINMAN

Norman Kinman had the privilege of going to France with the 1st Territorial Battery sent out in 1914. He has a fine record of service to his credit with the RHA. He speedily won promotion and was singled out for his bravery and awarded the Military Medal. Although many times in the thick of the fighting with the Battery he enjoyed a remarkable immunity from the Hun shell and shrapnel until Friday last when he was badly gassed. He is now in hospital at Rouen. From what we can gather three men from his section were buried as a consequence of the heavy shelling and Norman was busy digging them out when the Germans sent over some gas shells and the next thing Kinman knew was that he was in hospital in comfortable hands. His many friends will join in wishing a speedy recovery to Sergeant Kinman.

Military History

James is listed as being killed in action on 1st July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, having initially being reported as missing in action. The brief 16th Battalion war diary entries for the period 30th June to 3rd July are transcribed below.

Acheux Wood - 30 Jun 1916: Reserve of 9 Officers 79 OR drawn from the Battalion and proceeded at 2.30pm under Major A N G Jones to Mailly Wood.

Battalion less reserve and bombing detachment , strength 22 officers 689 OR marched to Auchenvillers 10.20PM and bivouacked there for the night.

Auchonvillers - 1 & 2 Jul 1916: Battalion in action 7.30am from support trenches.

Casualties Officers: killed 3; wounded 10; missing believed killed 6; missing 5.
Casualties OR: Killed 19; wounded 306; missing believe killed 37; missing 138

10.15: Balance of Battalion took over front line trenches Auchonvillers sector.

Auchonvillers - 3 Jul 1916: Battalion relieved in front line trenches by R D Fusiliers, 2 Coys remaining in 88^th trench, 2 Coys and Bn HQ proceeding to Auchonvillers

Military History

Edward is known by two versions of his name in army records Edward Horley Burden; Edward Harley Burden and Horley Burden. The 1st/7th Battalion war diary (see below) refers to him as 2290 H.Burden. He is listed as being killed in action on 8th November 1916 near Fricourt while attached to the 143rd Company Machine Gun Corps.

The 143rd Company war diary entries for the period 6th to 9th November 1916 are transcribed below.

Fricourt – 6 Nov 1916: Building shelters. A section consolidating Lonely Trench

Fricourt – 7 Nov 1917: Building shelters. A section consolidating Lonely Trench

Fricourt – 8 Nov 1917: Company HQ and A section moved to hutments S of Contalmaison Village. Hostile bombardment between 7 and 9pm one direct hit, no casualties.

HQ and A section removed back to Lonely Trench. Section from the Corps line less A were relieved by 145 M.G. Coy and marched back to Lonely Trench.

A section consolidating dugouts and built small Elephant Huts in Martinpuich.

1 OR killed and 1 OR (Transport) on Bazentin-Martinpuich Road.

Fricourt – 9 Nov 1917: Company less A section rested.

Military History