Jesse Watts Spinks

Jesse was born in 1895 (O/N/D Nottingham) and was the son of Frank Matthew Spinks and Alice Spinks nee Watson. His mother Alice was born in Nottingham, probably on 7 September 1862. His father, Frank Matthew, was born in Sheerness according to the 1891 Census but may be the Frank Matthew Spinks born on 18 October 1855 the son of John and Eliza Spinks who was baptised at All Saints, Ripley, Derbyshire, on 12 April 1856. A sister, Matilda, was born in Woolwich but baptised at Ripley All Saints in 1862. Frank's family was living in Nottingham by 1881. Frank and Alice were married by 1891 as they were then living at 137 Alfred Street, Nottingham, with Alice's widowed mother, Caroline Watson (64), a grocer. Frank (36, b. Sheerness) was an iron turner and Alice (28) was probably not in work. According to the 1911 Census which was completed by Alice as head of household, she was married (24 years) and had had four children of whom only one, Jesse, survived. Frank may not have been living with his family in 1911 and Jesse's attestation papers of 1913 describe his father as 'deceased'. In 1911 Jesse (15), a pasteboard maker, was living at 6 Scotland Yard, Bellar Gate, Nottingham, with his mother Alice (48), a lace hand working from home, and his grandmother Caroline Watson (84). Alice and her family later moved to 12 Olive Yard, Barker Gate, Nottingham. Caroline Watson probably died in 1920 (December Nottingham) aged 93. Alice Spinks appears on the 1939 England and Wales Register, living in Nottingham and described as an 'OAP retired' (dob 7 September 1862). She died in 1945 (June Nottingham) aged 82.

In 1911 he was a paste board maker but gave his occupation as machinist (iron) when he enlisted in the Grenadier Guards in 1913.

Private Jesse Spinks enlisted in Nottingham on 19 August 1913. He was 18 yrs and 9 months, a machinist and and gave his religion as Church of England. He named his mother, Alice Spinks, of 12 Olive Yard, Barker Gate, Nottingham, as his next of kin. He served in the 3rd battalion Grenadier Guards (16647) until 6 May 1914 when he was found unfit for further service by a medical board by reason of chronic inflamation in both ears. He was discharged from the Army on 6 June 1914 having served 292 days. Following the outbreak of war he reenlisted in Nottingham and served with the 11th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire) Regiment. He landed in France on 27 March 1915 and died twelve months later on 11 March 1916 of wounds received two days previously. According to the notice of his death in the local paper, he was shot by a sniper. He is buried in Sailly-Sur-La-Lys Canadian Cemetery (grave ref II.A.23)

Nottingham St Mary memorial: incorrect spelling of first name on memorial - 'Jessie' for 'Jesse'. It is not known if this was a mistake on the original memorial or if it was made when the memorial was restored in 2008 and again in 2017. Personal inscription on CWGC headstone: 'Thy will be done' Additional information regarding Jesse's discharge from the Grenadier Guards in 1914 taken from the 'Proceedings of a Medical Board on an Invalid', Queen Alexandra Military Hospital London, May 6th 1914 held with his Short Service Attestation papers: "Causation: Cause unknown, for about 2 years he has complained of shortness of breath, gradually getting worse. the symptoms being aggravated by wearing a tight belt. He has been in hospital almost continuously for four months, and still suffers from palpitation s and dysproea on exertion. Military Service has taken no part in the production of his disability.’ ‘Present condition: He is anaemic and ill-nourished. His teeth are defective, and he suffers from double Otitis Media. The abdominal wall is weak, and though hernia is not actually present the inaugural rings are very large. His heart is slightly hypertrophied, and there is a localised short p(-) murmer just within the area. The pulse is frequently rapid and irregular with symptoms of dysproea. There is probably some sternosis of the (-) valves, associated with myocarditis. Having regards to his general debility (three months in hospital out of eight months’ service), the condition of his heart, and the presence of double Otitis, it is unlikely that he will make an efficient soldier.’ Major RAMC, Medical Officer in Charge of Hospital, London South-West, 1 May 1914." Photograph with caption, Nottingham Evening Post, 10 April 1916: 'Pte Jesse Spinks (Sherwood Foresters), 12 Olive Yard, Barker Gate, shot in action March 9th, died March 13th.' Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 21 March 1916: ‘Spinks. Shot by sniper March 9th, died March 11th, Pte Jesse Spinks, 11th Sherwood Foresters, of 12, Olive-yard, Barker-gate, age 20 years. God’s will be done. Broken-hearted Mother, grandmother.’ Caption to photograph published in the Nottingham Evening Post, 10 April 1916: ‘Pte Jesse Spinks (Sherwood Foresters), 12 Olive Yard, Barker Gate, shot in action March 9th, died March 16th.’ Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 12 March 1917: ‘Spinks. In loving memory of Private Jesse Spink, 11th Sherwood Foresters, died of wounds March 11th, 1916 aged 20 years. God’s will be done. Broken-hearted Mother, grandmother.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 11 March 1918: ‘Spink (sic). In loving memory of Pte Jesse Spink (sic), 11th Sherwood Foresters, died of wounds March 11th, 1916. Mother, grandmother.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)