HINES, William Thomas

William was born at Walcha to William and Ann Hines and was a twenty year old Bush worker at the property ‘Craddock’ Graman when he enlisted in December 1915. He joined with the First Contingent of The Kurrajongs who left Inverell on 12 January 1916 for the Narrabri and Armidale camps.

He became a member of the 33rd Battalion, C Company which after training at Armidale and Rutherford sailed from Australia for England in May on HMAT A74 Marathon. He trained at Salisbury Plain until transferred to the 2nd Battalion and sent to France in September 1916. During the terrible freezing winter conditions he became ill with pleurisy and was evacuated to Birmingham Hospital, England in March 1917. He was returned to his Battalion in October.  Private William Hines was killed in action on 18 September 1918 and buried at Jeancourt Communal Cemetery, France.  His few remaining personal effects which included his wallet, letters, photos, disc and chain, were returned to his father.

Private Hines is remembered at Inverell where his name is inscribed on the Graman, Tingha and Inverell Honor Rolls, and the Inverell Cenotaph. He was one of the 215 men for whom a memorial tree was planted in Kurrajong Parade in 1919.