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.