Pte 45699 John Simeon Hindle

• Age: 26
• From: Oswaldtwistle, Lancs
• Regiment: 22nd Kings L
• Died on Saturday 8th December 1917
• Commemorated at: Immanuel Church Churchyard
  Panel Ref: 46. 35

John Simeon Hindle was born on the 29th August 1892 at Bolton and baptised on the 16th October 1892 at Bridge St. Chapel, Prim. Methodist Church, Bolton. He was the son of Harry and Elizabeth Hindle (nee Driver) who lived at 369 Union Road, Oswaldtwistle.

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 18, Stanhill Lane, Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire. His father, Harry, is aged 36, born 1865 in Clitheroe, and is a shoemaker, whilst his mother Elizabeth is aged 35 with no occupation listed. They have been married for fifteen years and have seven children. Albert aged 15, born 1886 and James Henry aged 13, born 1888 are both cotton weavers who were born in Accrington, Arthur aged 11, John Simeon aged 8, Ethel aged 5, George William Henry aged 3 and  Annie aged 1.

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 367 and 369 Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire. His father, Harry is now aged 46, and is described a bootmaker, whilst his mother, Elizabeth, is aged 45, born 1866 with no occupation listed and was born in Colne. They have been married for twenty five years and have had twelve children. At the time of the Census they have ten of their children living with them, Arthur aged 21, born 1890 is a roller coverer, John Simeon aged 18,born 1893 is a packer for a cotton spinner, and Ethel aged 15, born 1896 is  a weaver and they were all born in Bolton. The remaining seven children George William Henry aged 13, born 1898 is a creeler, Annie aged 11, born 1900, Fred and Frank aged 8 born 1903 and Maud aged 6, born 1905 are at school, Sylvia aged 4, born 1907 and Harry was born in 1911 were all born in Oswaldtwistle.

John enlisted on the 12th January 1916 at Accrington and gave his age as 23 years and 6 months, giving his occupation as a labourer for Howard and Bullough, who were were textile machine makers in Acrrington. He was five feet two inches tall, weighed 105lbs and of fair physical development.

He was posted to the 22nd Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 45699 on the 20th August 1916.

He was traansferred to the Middlesex Regiment beofre a further transfer on 18th May 1917 to  the 5th Company of the Labour Corps as Private 155641.

He died at Croydon War Hospital on 08th December 1917 aged 25 of broncho-pneumonia. His service papers detail that it was left based brocho pneumonia and retention of urine,  he became gradually delirious and died.  

His death was reported in the Lancashire Evening Post on 11th December 1917

Private J. S. Hindle (25), King's Liverpool Regiment, whose parents live at 369 Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, has died in a military hospital near London.

He now rests at  grave 46. 35 in the Immanuel Church Churchyard, Oswaldtwistle where his headstone bears the epitaph:

"LOVED BY ALL" 

There are 36 First World War burials in the Cemetery.

Soldiers Effects(3 entries) and Pension to father Harry. 

Grateful thanks are extended to Andrew Mackay for going out of his way and taking the photograph of John's headstone at the Immanuel Churchyard, Oswaldtwistle on our behalf.

We currently have no further information on John Simeon Hindle. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.