John Walter Pinnell

Rank:

Gunner

Regimental number:

Unit at enlistment:

4th Brigade C.F.A., 13th Battery

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Yes

Wounded:

Yes

Cemetery:

Hillside Cemetery, Medicine Hat, Alberta

Commemorated at:

Riverdale Baptist Church, Victoria Public School Honour Roll, Penmans Ltd. Honour Roll

Birth country:

Canada

Birth county:

Bruce

Birth city:

Teeswater, Ontario

Address at enlistment:

22 Jubilee Avenue, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

22 Jubilee Avenue, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Stationary Engineer

Employer:

Watson Manufacturing Co.

Religious denominations:

Wesleyan

Marital status:

Single

Age at enlistment:

Letters and documents

BX August 30, 1916

Private J. Pinnell Had Back Crushed – Mother Received Official Notice That He is in 30th General Hospital

Mrs. J. Pinnell received notification this morning that her son, Pte. John Walter Pinnell was in the 30th General Hospital, suffering from a crushed back. The notification was not by wire, but by an official card filled in by Sister F. Ward. Private Pinnell left Brantford with the 13th Battery, but at his own request was transferred to the 43rd Battalion. He was formerly a fireman at the Watson Mills.

BX October 4, 1915

Left Behind With Battery – Corp. J. Pinnell Regrets Not Being With Division in France

Corp. John Walter Pinnell of the reserve battery, Second Canadian Division, bemoans his fate in being left in camp with that battery when the other members of the division are fighting in France. Corp. Pinnell, in a letter to his mother, Mrs. J. Pinnell, 22 Jubilee Avenue says:

September 20, 1915
Dibgate Camp,

Dear Mother,

Just a line to let you know I am well. It is rotten to be left behind like this, and then get word that the Second Canadian Division has made a landing at Ostend under heavy fire, and drove the Huns out so that Ostend once more belongs to the Allies. I hope they keep the good work up.

I was over to see Lieut.-Col. Ashton last Wednesday afternoon, and he looks the picture of health. His face is as rosy as can be, and he is getting much stouter.

Your loving son,
Jack

BX May 19, 1916

Spring Weather in the Trenches – Pte. J. Pinnell Writes Interestingly of Life Under Hun Fire – Snipers are Active

Mrs. J. Pinnell, 22 Jubilee Avenue, has received an interesting letter from her son, Pte. Jack Pinnell, now on duty in the trenches. The letter reads:

My Dear Mother,

Just a few lines to let you know I am well and hope you are all the same. I started to write you a few lines the other day, but Fritz made it so hot I had to quit. They sent over quite a few shells and of course being on duty I had some work to do in a hurry. Our captain was wounded that night. The last word we had he was doing very well. He was one of the best officers we had and the boys feel pretty bad about it, and hope he will get back to us again soon. I think we have about the best officers in the battalion with our company. I know for myself I would follow them anywhere and would not be a bit afraid of them making a mess of things.

We are having some fine weather just now. It was so hot today I had to take my boots off and cool my feet. I was wearing two pairs of socks and a pair of big boots. You can imagine how hot my feet were, and then I have not had my boots off for four days. When we get back to billets we get our boots off at night unless we are on duty.

The other three boys are having a game of bridge to fill in the time in a little dugout about 4 by 4 and about three feet high – some palace for four men. One good thing is none of us is a big fellow. We are all about one size both in height and weight.

We are going out to the reserve for eight days and then eight days rest, but where we go no one knows or cares as long as we get out of the front line for a few days. If you could sit here in the front line today you would not dream there was a war on, but you never know the day or the hour that Fritz will come to life, and when he does we know all about it, you can bet. Fritz managed to pick off quite a few men by sniping, and believe me, he sure can snipe.

I found out where Percy O’Neil was killed and buried and I shall find his grave if I ever get near the place. He was on guard when the dugout was blown up with a small whiz-bang.

We are getting some fine spring weather and I hope it keeps like this from now on, as I am tired of the rain and mud already and I have not seen much of it yet. I certainly do not want to put in a winter over here if it is anything like February and March was. I have a fine time guessing which day is Sunday. The days are so much alike that you can’t tell one from the other. Of course we have church service when we are out of the trenches, but I do not get a change to go, as we are doing duty at the phone, in or out so we generally fill up our time off duty by sleeping or walking about to get a little fresh air. Well I guess this is all this time, I remain, your ever loving son,

Jack

BX March 3, 1956

John W. Pinnell

The funeral of John Walter Pinnell, who died in Calgary, was conducted at Medicine Hat, Alta. He was born in Teeswater, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Pinnell, came to Brantford at an early age and was educated here. For four years he served with the 43rd Cameron Highlanders in France during the First World War. After the war Mr. Pinnell and his brother, Fred H. Pinnell, operated a grocery store on St. George Street, and for a number of years he was employed at the Waterous Engine Works. He was a member of St. James’ Anglican Church, Ozias Lodge, A.F. and A.M. and the Sergeants’ mess of the Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles. He moved to Medicine Hat a number of years ago but for the past two years was a resident of Calgary. His wife, the former Jessie Pollock, died several years ago. Surviving Mr. Pinnell are one son, James H., of Medicine Hat, and his brother, Fred H. Pinnell, of Brantford. Interment was in the family plot at Medicine Hate