James was one of four Oldham born brothers, the sons of Abraham and Agnes Pinder, three of whom are known to have enlisted in the army during the Great War. Two would survive the war, one would die and one would receive the Military Medal.
The eldest brother, John, was born in early 1886, James in late 1887 and Samuel in early 1897. There was also another brother, Eli, born in 1890 and a sister, Ethel, born in late 1891.
In 1891 the family was living on Osborne Street, Westwood and Abraham was a joiner by trade.
In 1901 the family were living on Minor Street, in Werneth and 13 year old James was recorded as an 'iron moulder'. John was recorded as a 'tool fitter'.
In 1906 their father, Abraham, died and in summer 1908 James' eldest brother, John, married Minnie Bradbury. Their daughter, also called Minnie, was born in early 1910 and on the 1911 census the young family were living on Selborne Street.
In 1911, James was living on Quebec Street with his widowed mother, younger siblings Eli and Ethel and their maternal grandfather, John Kenworthy. James was still employed as an iron moulder.
James married Nellie Beaman at St Andrews Church, Middleton Road and their first child, Hilda, was born in November 1914.
JOHN PINDER
By August 1914, John was already a member of the 1/10 Battalion of the Manchester Regiment, the Oldham Territorials and, when war was declared and the Territorials were embodied, he volunteered to serve overseas.
In June 1915, he 'died of wounds' in the Gallipoli invasion.
SAMUEL PINDER
Samuel's Military Service Records survive and show that he enlisted as a private with the 24th Manchester Regiment (the Oldham Comrades) in April 1915. His regimental number was 15271.
On 23rd February 1918 it was reported in the London Gazette that he had been awarded the Military Medal ... 'On October 22nd, 1917, the company to which Pte. Samuel Pinder, 15271, belonged was heavily shelled near Dumbarton lakes and incurred four casualties, including himself. Though badly wounded he picked up a Lance-Corporal who had been severely wounded, and carried him out of the shelled area and dressed his wounds.' [from 'The Oldham Battalion Battalion of Comrades (24th battalion Manchester Regiment) Book of Honour' pub 1920, p.56 HERE]
He survived the war and was demobbed in March 1919..
JAMES PINDER
We know, from the many surviving photographs and cards that James Pinder enclosed in letters sent to Nellie, that he served in the army. However, his Service Records don't appear to have survived and his medal card hasn't been identified with any certainty.
His service seems to have begun in England, and there are cards from coastal locations on the east coast, along the south coast, Conway and the Isle of Man. These are followed by numerous cards from India and reference in 1918 to having got his stripes for 3 years overseas service in India.
It therefore seems possible that his early service was on home defence and then later in India which was not a recognised 'theatre of war'. Apparently, the regular and experienced soldiers, of the British Army, were withdrawn from garrison and defensive roles in India, to serve in areas of conflict and were replaced by the less experienced, but trained, Territorials.
Could James have been in the Territorials, like his brother, but, being married and with a baby on the way, didn't choose to volunteer for overseas service in 1914? |
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