Private Hector Pretoria Hindmarsh

Private Hector Pretoria Hindmarsh (2100, 37th Battalion) was born in London, England, and arrived in Australia at the age of 12 years. He was working in a factory when he enlisted in July 1916. Hector was killed in action on 8 June 1917 during the battle of Messines and is buried in the Strand Military Cemetery, Ploegsteert, Belgium. His father wrote that he was 17 years and 3 three months of age and that “he was a good son one of the best… but he was anxious to do his bit although under age”. Hector’s brother Driver John Hindmarsh served with the 2nd Australian Division Signals Company and was seriously wounded in August 1917.