Hinds, Dudley (Lance Sergeant, b.1921 - d.1941)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of NX58477 Lance Sergeant Dudley Hinds, 2/3 Anti-Tank Regiment, Second Australian Imperial Force, Tobruk, Libya, 1941.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of one two-page letter of condolence from Sergeant William Barr Nehl to Lance Sergeant Dudley Hinds’ brother. In his letter, dated 30 July 1941, Sergeant Nehl describes Lance Sergeant Hinds’ ability as a soldier, his good character, and his courage in battle. He then writes about the circumstances of Lance Sergeant Hinds’ death on 21 May 1941, when his section was defending the outer perimeter of Tobruk. Lance Sergeant Hinds was moving his gun onto the front line when a wheel passed over an anti-tank mine, which exploded, killing Hinds and wounding three others. Sergeant Nehl then writes briefly about Lance Sergeant Hinds’ burial.

Lance Sergeant Dudley Hinds joined the Second Australian Imperial Force on 22 July 1940, declaring that he was two years older in order to meet the required enlistment age. He was assigned to the 2/3 Anti-Tank Regiment, and after a period of training, he embarked for overseas service in November 1940. With his unit, Lance Sergeant Hinds served in Palestine, Egypt and Libya. On 21 May 1941, during the Siege of Tobruk, Lance Sergeant Hinds was moving his gun onto the front line when a wheel struck an anti-tank mine. It exploded, killing Hinds and wounding three others. Lance Sergeant Hinds is buried at Tobruk War Cemetery, Libya.