CWGC additional information: 'Son of E. G. and Miriam Hinton, of Stone Row, Street Lane, Gildersome, Leeds. Native of Sutton-in-Ashfield, Notts.'
Mansfield Reporter, 2 October 1914: ‘A Sutton Hero Who Went Down With HMS ‘Cressy.’ Mr Edwin Hinton, whose home is at 46, Coxmoor-road, and whose father is the timekeeper on the new railway, is one of the gallant sailors who lost their lives in honour of their country. Hinton, who was 19 years of age, joined the Navy three years ago at Chatham, and he has spent practically the whole of this time as officers’ steward on the ill-fated HMS Cressy, and was very popular both with his fellow-seamen and the officers. He was a good athlete, and won the shield in the light-weight boxing competition in his Division. The last time he was over at Sutton was at Easter, but, just prior to the outbreak of war, started home from Chatham on seven days’ leave, but was recalled when he had reached King’s Cross, owing to the commencement of hostilities. As the only son, Mr and Mrs Hinton feel the loss very severely. As he was a fine swimmer, his parents are hoping against hope that he may by some means have been saved, but, unfortunately, his name does not appear amongst the list of saved. During the war several postcards have been received from him stating that he was in good health, the last letter, received a few days ago, including (sic) the following references to the Heligoland battle: ‘Dear Father, Mother and Sister, I am taking this chance of telling you a little bit of my sport during the war …. After embarking 700 Royal Marines for Ostend – and we did travel , too – we landed the troops, and they then asked for volunteers for first-aid so I gave my services, and it was nearly up with us. We found a party of Sausages (sic) (200 strong) routing the town, so we gave them some lead, and, after half-an-hour’s fighting, they threw up their hands and I came through safe and sound. I was too small – they cannot hit a haystack. Well, we went aboard again singing ‘Hearts of Oak are our Ships, Jolly Tars are our Men’ and we did let it rip too. I am in good health and spirits, so cheery up; you will see your proud son come home some day with a medal like a frying-pan. So good-bye for the present. Love from Teddy, The Powder Monkey.’’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)