William Spinks
In 1901 he was a telegraph messenger but by 1911 was a postman at the General Post Office, Nottingham.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
William was the son of William and Elizabeth Cecilia (also Celia/Cicele)) Mary Spinks.
His father was born in Radford and his mother in Peterborough, Northamptonshire, and were married in about 1885.
According to the 1911 Census when William and Elizabeth had been married for 26 years, they had had seven children of whom five survived. Their children, who were born in Nottingham, were: Florence b. abt 1885 d. 6 March 1890 age 5, George b. 1888 (JAS) d. 8 March 1890 age 21 months, William b. abt. 1886, Nellie b. 1890 (OND), Ivy b. 1892 (AMJ), Gertrude b. 1898 (JAS) and Ernest b. 1908 (AMJ) d. 14 May 1921 age 13.
In 1901 William (38), a stationery mail porter, and Elizabeth (35), were living at 18 Alison Rise, St Ann's, with their four children, William (14) a telegraph messenger, Nellie (10), Ivy (9) and Gertrude (2).
The family had moved to 28 Woodborough Road, Nottingham, by 1911 where William and Elizabeth were living with their five surviving children, William a postman, Nellie a pattern girl for a lace manufacturer, Ivy a lace joiner, Gertrude and Ernest (2).
The family later moved to 8 Ridding Terrace, Wellington Street, Nottingham, and still living there when Elizabeth died on 18 July 1912 aged 48.
William married Agnes A Wheatcroft (b. 1877) in 1916 (JAS). He died aged 59 on 26 November 1921 (buried 1 December); he was still living at 8 Ridding Terrace. His only surviving son, Ernest, had died just six months earlier on 14 May age 13. William's widow, Agnes, died in 1967 (June Nottingham) aged 89.
Private William Spinks of No. 1 Convalescent Depot RAMC, died from malaria and pneumonia on 6 December 1918 at 48 General Hospital, Macedonia, Greece.
He was buried in Kirechkoi-Hortakoi Military Cemetery, Greece (grave ref. 549).
CWGC history of the Military Cemetery (extract): 'XVI Corps Headquarters were at Kirechkoi from January 1916, soon after the opening of the Salonika campaign, until the advance to the Struma in September 1916. The cemetery was begun in March 1916, but it remained a very small one until September 1917, when the 60th, 65th and 66th General Hospitals came to the neighbourhood. In June, July and September 1918, other hospitals were brought to the high and healthy country beside the Salonika-Hortakoi road and in September 1918, the influenza epidemic began which raged for three months and filled three-quarters of the cemetery.' (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC Additional information: Son of William and Elizabeth C. Mary Spinks, of 8, Ridding Terrace, Wellington St., Nottingham. Postman at General Post Office, Nottingham.
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'He that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. PO Staff Nottingham.' Extract from 1 John 2:17.
Nottingham General Cemetery, family gravestone inscription: ‘In loving memory of Elizabeth Cicele Mary, the dearly beloved wife of William Spinks, who died July 18th 1912, aged 48 years. Is it well with thee: and she answered, it is well. Also of William, the dearly beloved husband of the above who died No. 28th 1921, aged 59 years. Reunited. Also of Florence, who died March 6th 1890 aged 5 years. And of George, who died March 8th 1890, aged 21 months. The beloved children of the above. Asleep in Jesus. Also of William Spinks, RAMC, who died in Salonika Dec. 8th 1918, aged 32 years. And of Ernest, who died May 14th 1921, aged 13 years. Sons of the above. They shall be with me in Paradise.’
Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour', 13 December 1918 (abridged): 'Spinks on December 6th at Salonika of pneumonia and malaria, William Spinks, RAMC, son of William Spinks, No 8 Ridding Terrace, Wellington Street. Father, Nellie, Gerty, Ivy, Ernest and Agnes.'
Registers of Soldiers' Effects: William's father was his sole legatee.
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 18 July 1912: ‘Spinks. On the 18th inst. at 8, Ridding-terrace, Wellington-street, Elizabeth Cecilia Mary, the dearly beloved wife of William Spinks, aged 46 years. Rest after weariness.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Announcements’, 22 July 1912: ‘Mr Spinks and family desire to thank all kind friends for their kind sympathy in their sad bereavement.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’ 29 November 1921: ‘Spinks on the 26th inst. at 8 Ridding-terrace, William the beloved husband of Agnes Spinks, aged 59 years.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 29 November 1921: ‘Spinks. On the 26th inst. William, the dearly loved father of Nell, Ivy and Gertrude Spinks. Rest in peace.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Probate: Spinks William of 8 Riddings-terrace Wellington-street Nottingham died 26 November 1921 Probate Nottingham 28 December to Nellie Spinks spinster. Effects £466 5s. 2d.
William Spinks
Family gravestone, Nottingham General Cemetery. Photograph Rachel Farrand (June 2018).
Photo of William Spinks
Buried in Kirechkoi-Hortakoi Military Cemetery, Greece (www.cwgc.org)