SPINKS, James Arthur and Baron

James and Baron, sons of James and Emily Spinks, were born at Hillgrove NSW. They were single men working as Miners when they enlisted for War service and joined the 33rd Battalion, 4th Reinforcement, leaving Australia for England on HMAT A30 Borda in October 1916. After three months additional training they were sent to France in March 1917.

James was appointed Lance Corporal in September 1917. A few weeks later he was invalided back to England and admitted to Northampton War Hospital for treatment of Trench Feet. He returned to France in May 1918 and a month later, at the age of twenty-four, was killed in action at Villers-Bretonneux. James was buried at Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery.

Baron was wounded in action in July 1917 and sent back to England for treatment of a gun shot wound to his thigh. He was admitted to University War Hospital and then 1st ADH Burford. He returned to France in March 1918, was gassed a month later and again invalided to England for treatment. Baron returned to Australia and was medically discharged in April 1919. After the War he continued his work as a Miner, living at Deepwater NSW. He died in 1958 and was buried at Emmaville.

The Spinks family had lived in the Tingha and Bundarra districts before the War. The names of James and Baron are recorded on the Howell Public School Roll of Honour.