George William Tinker

George was born in Bolsover on 4 June 1897 and was the grandson of Mrs Tinker of the Cricketers Arms and the adopted son of George and Edith Pashley, 63 Carolgate, Retford. In the 1911 census he was living on Carolgate, Retford, with his uncle George Pashley, a baker and confectioner, and his wife Edith. Also in the household was his older sister Edith Emma.

Employed by Messrs W J Jenkins & Son.

8th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) George served in France from June 1915 and was killed by a rifle grenade on 16 July 1915, 12 days after his 18th birthday. He was buried in Sanctuary Wood Cemetery, Belgium (grave ref. II. F. 23).

Information on George Tinker has been provided courtesy of Alan Laurie The Retford Times of 23rd July 1915 annouced the death of Private Willie Tinker of the 8th Sherwood Foresters. George, the grandson of Mrs Tinker of the Cricketers Arms and adopted son of Mr & Mrs Pashley, 63 Carolgate, Retford, was killed in action on 16th July 1915 having celebrated his 18th birthday on 4th June 1915. He was described as very popular amongst his chums. George had only been in France three weeks and in the trenches five days before, when he was killed by a rifle grenade. Mrs Tinker’s first intimation of his death was through a letter sent by Private George Ostick (who was also to be a casualty of the war in 1917) and who was wounded in the same action. Private Tinker had been a scholar at the National School and on leaving was employed at Messrs W J Jenkins & Son. In a letter to Mrs Tinker, Lieutenant Colonel Fowler, Commanding Officer (KIA battle of Loos 1915) said “I am sorry to have to write and tell you that your grandson 1972 Private Tinker was killed in the trenches Thursday last by a rifle grenade sent by the Germans. The trench he was in was very close to their lines and consequently they bombarded us with these explosive things very much. I do want you to understand how sorry I am for you in your great trouble. The only consolation is that he died a soldier’s death for his King and Country’s sake. He was buried in the wood behind the trenches and the grave will be marked” Retford & Worksop Herald and North Notts Advertiser, 10 August 1915: ‘Lieut. ECA James, of the 8th Sherwood Foresters says:- I have received the three parcels containing 3,500 Gold Flake cigarettes, I handed them to Sergt. Phillipson [KIA Aug. 1915] for distribution amongst the Retford men. Will you please convey my thanks to the Association for their kindness and to the donor of the money … I am very sorry to say we have lost another Retford man in Pte Tinker, who only came out with the last draft.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)