ALAN HIRST TINKER
16 July 1890 - 28 March 1918
At School 1898 - 1903
Capt 1/7th Manchester Regt
Alan was born in 1890 in Manchester, and in 1891 was living at 19 Manley Road, Withington with father Albert, a buyer for a Home Trade Wholesalers, mother Esther, two older sisters, older brother William, also a Hulmeian, and two servants. By 1901 the family had moved to 211 Withington Road, Whalley Range, both boys being then at the School. In 1911 Alan and William were still both at home, Alan, aged 21 being a manufacturer of Fancy Cotton Goods, while William aged 23 was a salesman for the Prints department of the Home Trade Wholesalers, father Albert having retired by this time.
Alan had been a Cadet Serjeant in the Manchester University Officers Training Corps and on 24th November 1911 was Gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in the Territorial Battalion the 7th Manchester Regt. On 4th December 1913 he was promoted to Lieutenant. On the outbreak of war the Battalion was mobilised and, as part of the 42nd East Lancashire Division, on 10th September 1914 proceeded to Egypt, disembarking on the 25th. Alan is included on the photograph of the Battalion Officers below, back row far right, taken on moblization in August 1914.
After intensive training the Battalion was ordered to Gallipoli , landing on 7th May 1915 under shell fire, which caused several casualties. On 18th May Alan was slightly injured in the back by a sniper but recovered quickly. On 4th June he was appointed Temporary Captain.
Captain A H TINKER, Manchester Regiment, killed in action in March, had been on active service with commissioned rank since August, 1914, and had served in Egypt. He was at the School from April, 1898 to July, 1903. Letters received by his father from two commanding officers of his regiment testify to his gallant service. One of the officers writes: “I have lost a personal friend and the battalion it’s best captain, whom it will be hard to replace. He was loved by officers and men alike. During the action he showed great gallantry, constantly walking about amongst his men and setting a magnificent example to all.” The other says “In all my soldiering, I never came across a better officer. He was splendid at his work, steady, courageous, clever – and at the same time he took the greatest care of his men. No company commander took more interest in the men’s individualities and aptitudes……..He won honours over and over again in the field to my own knowledge. “
