23 replies to this topic

[temptage]

I have found a headstone in Cleethorpes Cemetery with the following inscribed on it.

also in memory of

JOHN T. HINCH eldest son of the above

who gave his life in the Great War

APRIL 20th 1917 aged 39 years

If it helps towards pinning him down, his parents were called Benjamin (died 1925) and Elizabeth Hinch (died 1939).

I cannot find a single detail about him anywhere, or tie in his name or date of death.

As usual, any help would be very much appreciated.

[roughdiamond]

Have you tracked the family to the 1911 census?

Sam

[Simon_Fielding]

England & Wales Christening Records, 1530-1906 about John Thomas Hinch

Name: John Thomas Hinch Gender: Male Birth Date: abt 1877 Christening Date: 29 Jul 1877 Christening Place: Asterby, Lincolnshire, England Father's Name: Benjamin Hinch Mother's name: Elizabeth

Name: John Thomas Hinch Age in 1911: 34 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1877 Relation to Head: Head Gender: Male Birth Place: Brigsley Park, Lincolnshire, England Civil parish: Grainsby and North Thoresby County/Island: Lincolnshire Country: England Street Address: Nth Thoresby So Marital Status: Married Occupation: Farmer Registration district: Louth Registration District Number: 421 Sub-registration district: Tetney ED, institution, or vessel: 11 Piece: 19943 Household Members: Name Age John Thomas Hinch 34 Annie Lousina Hinch 28 Doris May Hinch 6 Jack Hinch 2

[Simon_Fielding]

Not finding any WW1 service links...

[temptage]

He is registered as living in Louth, Lincolnshire in 1911. Born in 1877, he was aged 34 at the time of the Census.

His parents are registered as living in Grimsby.

So at least we have his age correct.

[Chris_Baker]

A case of enlisting under an assumed name, perhaps.

[corisande]

Geoff's Search leads to the conclusion that there were 668 deaths in CWGC on that day. Only 2 John Thomases

[ASA1]

Strangely there is a family tree on Ancestry which shows that he died in 1955! The parents details, place of birth, census details etc all match...

[IPT]

Well apparently he died in 1955, aged 79, registered in Louth, Lincolnshire.

EDIT - Too slow. However, if it is him, he must have been reported as a casualty and yet we can find no service. All very odd!

[IPT]

[skipman]

Could it just be a mistake? There's a John T Hinch died 1955 aged 79 Louth

http://search.ancest...c=&pid=33831068

Edit-DOH Far too slow!

Mike

[temptage]

Your not kidding ASA1 and IPT. This one has a rather large chunk of mystery to it.

[temptage]

Having looked again at the headstone and the positioning of his epitaph, it was added either when or after his mother died in 1939.

Maybe he had 'gone missing' during the war years and they (the family) had been led to believe that his disappearance was down to his death during the war!

I now question myself and ask how they have such a specific date when there are no military records available for him? Or was that the date that his parents 'made up' and told the family?

[skipman]

Maybe worth ordering death certificate.

Mike

[ASA1]

How about contacting the family tree owner on Ancestry? They may be able to shed some light...

[temptage]

Unfortunately I dont have access to Ancestry as I dont own a credit or debit card of any sort so cannot 'join' the website.

[BottsGreys]

I have sent an inquiry to the owner of the Saunders Family Tree on Ancestry which contains a record of John T. Hinch.  Whether or not we will get a reply....?

Chris

[temptage]

Thanks Chris.

[BottsGreys]

I have heard back from the family tree owner of Ancestry,com  She is a direct descendant of John T. Hinch's parents and is as intrigued as we are.  She said she will be checking with some family sources and get back--I invited her to join the conversation here.

Chris

[temptage]

The mystery deepens. This will teach me to go rummaging!

[Cleethorpes1955]

Re John Thomas Hinch who was my Great Grand Uncle - will investigate further and ask my mother [aged 86] if she knows of any family history regarding this - will keep you posted
Roz Elliott

[rjaydee]

A very strange case indeed. I have a soldier commemorated on our war memorial who did not die until 1960, but unlike the case in point I have his service details. Will watch this with interest.

[skipman]

Is it possible he was presumed killed, and was actually a POW, or some other scenario, then returned home alive.

Interesting case here.

http://paperspast.na...soldier alive--

Mike

[temptage]

Anybody found anything else out yet?