Lieutenant John William Pinckney

Male, Person Number1402, b. 1895, d. 11 April 1918
Lieutenant John William Pinckney
1895 - 1918
RelationshipsSon of George Pinckney
1st cousin 4 times removed of Aaron Pinckney
4th great-nephew of Robert Pinckney
11th great-grandson of Thomas Pynkeney
23rd great-grandson of Arnulph Picquigny
7th great-nephew of Roger Pinckney I
1st cousin 8 times removed of Philip Pinckney
FatherGeorge Pinckney b. 16 Nov 1863, d. 13 Mar 1948
MotherEdith Howard Tripp b. c 1873, d. 17 Jun 1948
ChartsGeorge Pinckney

Birth, Marriages and Death

Birth*1895Lieutenant John William Pinckney was born in 1895 at Richmond Farm, Orari Bridge, New Zealand,
He was the son of George Pinckney and Edith Howard Tripp
Burial*1918Lieutenant John William Pinckney was buried in 1918 at Bailleul Road East Cemetery, St Laurent-Blangy, France,
Death*11 Apr 1918He died on 11 Apr 1918 at France, ; On 16th April 1918 Lieut-Colonel L. James wrote from France to Herbert Pinckney in England, Jack's uncle:

Dear Sir, My gallant little officer Lieut Pinckney, gives you as next of kin. I think that you are his uncle. I have to regret that he is reported missing. I hope, and shall continue to hope for a long time, that he is a prisoner.
The circumstances are these, and it is difficult for one to speak temperately about them. My B Squadron was ordered to hold a particular bridgehead and it received a sustained and fierce attack by the enemy. So important was this bridgehead that I had to order the squadron to die to the last man rather than give ground to the enemy. How gallantly this little band performed their duty may be seen from the fact that they held their part for thirty-six hours and the enemy had eventually to bring up trench mortars to dislodge them. Apart from the grief which comes to a commanding officer in these distressing circumstances I had a real attachment for young Pinckney, who had been a recruit officer under me in Ireland. I can ill spare such a gallant boy, but though it is a small consolation to his relatives his sacrifice was not in vain, for his gallantry and that of those with him saved the local situation at a most grave and critical moment. I shall still continue to hope that we shall hear of him as a prisoner and living, but as the whole line was pressed back the enemy are in possession of the pass we helped to hold gallantly.
I remain, Yours faithfully, L.James, Lt-Colonel, King Edward's Horse. 

Other Information

Name Variation Lieutenant John William Pinckney was also known as Jack. 
Note*18 Dec 1918He The Christ's College register of August 1919 carried this letter and record of Jack Pinckney:
A LETTER FROM THE FRONT
The following is a copy of a letter sent to Mrs Empson, December 18, 1918:
Madame, Mr Pinckney having been my troop officer for over twelve months in France and Italy, and having been chosen by him for especial work on several occasions, I feel it is my bounden duty, seeing that I was one of the last men to see him, to write and let you know the little I do know. Of all the brave men that held the bridge at Vieille Chapelle, Mr Pinckney was the bravest. I am not alone in saying this; write yourself to any of the boys that are now returning from Prison Camp, and you will find them all as proud of Mr Pinckney as I am.
Mr Pinckney's coolness and courage held us together, and kept our spirits up. He walked about from one outpost to the other, rifle in hand "potting Jerries", and giving us encouraging words, and after two days' hard fighting he said he would never be taken prisoner, and when all our ammunition was spent Mr Pinckney still had a few rounds left, and there he stood, even after we were all captured, "potting Jerries".
I intend, on rejoining my regiment, to speak to Corporal Murray, DCM, and others, and see if we can't get Mr Pinckney's bravery acknowledged. But your name was given to me as being a relation, and I thought you would like to know.
Yours sincerely, Dyekon E. Brazier, L/c, 1st K.E.H. on 18 Dec 1918. 
Last Edited16 Aug 2005