A 'Bradford Jock's' 1914 Casualty, South African War & Great War campaign medal group of 5: Private William Henry Hinchcliffe, 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers late 2nd Bn Royal Scots Fusiliers

- QSA. 'CC', 'TH', 'ROL', 'TR', 'OFS' (5926 Pte. W.H. Hinchcliffe, 2: R. Scots Fus:)
- KSA. With 2 x SA clasps (5926 Pte. W. Hinchcliffe, 2: R. Scots Fus:)
- 1914 Star. With dated clasp (5926 Pte. W. Hinchcliffe, 1: R. Sc: Fus.)
- British War Medal. Silver issue (5926 Pte. W. H. Hinchcliffe, R. S. Fus.)
- Interallied Victory Medal (5926 Pte. W. H. Hinchcliffe, R. S. Fus.)

Note: The dated clasp on the 1914 Star is a contemporary tailors copy

Missing Presumed Died - First Battle of Ypres 1914: Private William Henry Hinchcliffe 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers, was reported missing on 11 November 1914, subsequently revised to 'Presumed Died'

The body of Private Hinchcliffe was never recovered from the battlefield, but his service and supreme sacrifice is perpetuated for posterity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, at the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial located at Ypres, Belgium, where his details, muster together amongst other kindred spirits of his battalion, on panel 19 of the memorial

Medals & clasp(s) verification: All medals and all South African War clasps verified as entitled per the respective medal rolls of the Royal Scots Fusiliers sources cited below;

- QSA Medal and 5 x clasps: Ref WO 100/180
- KSA Medal and 2 x clasps: Ref WO 100/327
- 1914 Star: Ref WO 329/2442 (shown as missing about 11/11/1914)
- British War Medal Silver issue: Ref WO 329/990
- Interallied Victory Medal: Ref WO 329/990

Note: The recipients Medal Index Card makes no reference to a dated clasp or roses ever being sent or claimed by the recipients notified next of kin - however the recipients eligibility to the dated clasp is beyond any question, as he had entered theatre of war, 'France' with his battalion on, 14 August 1914

William Henry Hinchcliffe, was a native of, Bradford, Yorkshire, England, where he was born in 1879. William enlisted in the British Army, almost certainly at, Bradford, Yorkshire, England, on, 31 August 1898 (No 5295 Isaac Hindle, another teenager of 18 years 10 months, and native of Bradford, enlisted in Bradford on that date - while No 5297, Private Peter Boyle, (2/RSF), joined at Stirling, Scotland, the next day 1 September 1898). On the evidence, of places of birth, age, it is almost certain that William Henry Hinchcliffe and Isaac Hindle were close friends, signing up for an adventure in the British Army together, and subsequently serving in the very same regiment, Royal Scots Fusiliers, with both posted and serving together in the 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers. As both had signed short service contracts, their general service records would have basically been the same. Isaac Hindle's extant service record shows that he earned the same combination of campaign medals and clasps for the South African War. His service record showing:

- Home (inc Ireland): 31/08/1898 - 21/10/1899 (1 year 52 days)
- South Africa: 22/10/1899 - 16/02/1903 (3 years 118 days)
- Home: 17/02/1903 - 30/08/1910 (7 years 195 days)

Isaac Hindle is shown as 'Mounted Infantry' qualified 31/12/1902, and took his final discharge from the British Army on, after 12 years service 'With the Colours' and on the 'Army Reserve' (joined the AR on 30/08/1906) - this record would almost certainly have been mirrored by his friend, William Henry Hinchcliffe!

After taking his discharge form the British Army, William returned to his native Bradford, where is recorded as getting married to Sarah Alice Sharp, sometime during the second quarter of 1909. The 1911 National Census for England & Wales records William together with his wife and residing at, 50 Rufford Street, Bradford, England, at which time he was employed as a 'Packer' and his wife employed as a 'Worsted Weaver', both working in the Bradford factories of the 'Worsted Wool Industry'

After the outbreak of the Great War, William was mobiised for War Service, and on rejoining his old regiment, was posted to 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers. At the outbreak of War, 1/RSF was located at Gosport, Hampshire, England, where it was a constituent battalion of 9th Brigade, serving under higher formation 3rd Division. 1/RSF was one of the earliest regiments to enter theatre of war 'France & Flanders', when it disembarked at 'Le Havre', France, on, 14 August 1914

1/RSF were quickly destined to be in the thick of the fighting, within 10 days of landing - and for the remainder of the year. Their records of action including: 23 -24 August 1914: The Battle of Mons. 24 August – 05 September 1914: Retreat from the Mons including the Rearguard action of Solesmes. 26 August 1914: Battle of Le Cateau. 06 – 09 September 1914: The Battle of the Marne. September 1914: The Battle of the Aisne, (13 Sept’ Passage of the Aisne and 20 Sept’ actions on the Aisne Heights) October 1914: Battle of La Bassee. November 1914: The First Battle of Ypres

It was while present in the front line of the fighting at the 'First Battle of Ypres', that Private William Henry Hinchcliffe, was posted 'Missing', subsequently classified as 'Died', who had paid the supreme sacrifice while serving with 'The Colours' as a member of the British Expeditionary Force

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, record that 31 x 'All Ranks' of the 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers, including Private Hinchcliffe, are recorded as having died at Ypres, on that single fateful date, 11 November 1914

Williams personal effects were sent to his widow, Sarah Alice Hinchcliffe, who resided at, 50 Rufford St, Leeds Rd, Bradford, Yorkshire, England.

The medals mounted in the court-style on a buckram backing, for display purposes

Code: 22804