Frederick James Hinchliffe

He was awarded the Croix de Guerre (Belgium), Victory Medal and British War Medal. The Croix de Guerre, awarded when he held the rank of corporal, was presented to his widow by the Mayor of Mansfield, Alderman JL Wilson, at Mansfield Police Court on 1 January 1919. (Article Mansfield Advertiser, 3 January 1919.) Army Service Record survives (The National Archives). Attested June 1915, enlisted November 1915. Arrived France 18 July 1916, promoted lance corporal December 1915, corporal February or March 1917 and sergeant February 1918. Wounded 22 March 1918 and died of wounds 25 March 1918. Buried Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension (grave ref I.C.27). Army Form B104-126: personal effects forwarded to widow, 12 June 1918: 2 discs, photo, pipe, 2 pocket books, purse, whistle, nickel watch, 5 badges, tobacco pouch, cigarette case, ribbon, lanyard, photocase. His widow was awarded a pension of 16/3d a week.

Nottingham Evening Post Article published 20th April 1918 reads :- “POLICE CASUALTIES. “TWO NOTTS. CONSTABLES KILLED IN ACTION. “ To a meeting of the Notts. Standing Joint Committee at the Shire Hall, Nottingham, to-day, [20th April 1918] Sir Ernest Paget presiding, the Chief Constable (Capt. W. H. Tomasson) reported that two constables of the County Police Force, namely, Claude Bilbie and Fredk. J. Hinchcliffe, had been killed in action: the former on July 31st, 1917, and the latter on March 25th of this year. Bilbie had been stationed at headquarters, and Hinchcliffe, who was the best man he had for a long time, at Mansfield. “The Committee joined with Capt. Tomasson in his expression of regret. “A further report from the Chief Constable intimated that of 272 persons apprehended during the last quarter, seven were discharged, 260 summarily disposed of, and five committed for trial. “Estimates for the repair and maintenance of the Shire Hall, judge's lodgings, and the country police stations, for the year, amounting to £930, were approved, and it was decided, in view of the increasing use of the Shire Hall rooms, to place a clock in the entrance lobby. “The salary of the clerk to the magistrates for the Nottingham division (Mr. O. E. Nash), was increased by £100, and the remuneration of the police-court missionary, who also attends other courts in the county, was fixed at £80 per annum.” Nottingham Evening Post article dated 1st January 1919 reads ;- “WAR HONOUR FOR MANSFIELD POLICEMAN. “The French Government has awarded the Croix de Guerre to Frederick James Hinchliffe, who was a police officer in the Mansfield division prior to joining the colours. The constable joined the force in 1915 and was promoted first-class before enlisting in the R.G.A. in 1915. He was attached to the 121st heavy battery, and quickly gained the rank of bombardier. Unfortunately he was killed action March 25th last [1918]. “The French decoration was presented to his wife this morning [1st January 1919] at Mansfield Borough Police Court by the Mayor (Ald. J. L. Wilson), and Superintendent Rodgers remarked that the whole of the force were very proud of the honour which had been conferred upon the deceased.” Above articles are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918. Surname on NCC and Nottinghamshire Constabulary memorials incorrectly given as 'Hinchcliffe'. His surname is spelt correctly on the Scarcliffe memorial. Listed in Nottinghamshire County Council's register of employees who served in the Great War (Nottinghamshire Archives, ref: CC CL 2 /12/1/1)