Other Properties - Australian Groups

Lot 4964    SESSION 18 (2.30PM FRIDAY 28 JULY)    Other Properties - Australian Groups

Estimate $20,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au

GROUP OF NINE: Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) (type 1 Military); Military Cross (GRI); 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19 with MID; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45; Coronation Medal 1953; Volunteer Officer's Decoration (GVIR). First medal not normally named but this one is named on reverse, Capt F.U.J.Tinkler M.C. on top arm, 2nd Div. Sig. Co. A.I.F. on left arm, "Beaurevoir Mont Brehain" on right arm, 3.4.5 Oct 1918 on bottom arm, Lieut. F.U.J.Tinkler 1st Div. Sig. Co. A.I.F. "Delville Valley" 30/31st Dec 1916 on second medal, 2/Lieut. F.U.J.Tinkler 1 Bn A.I.F. on third medal, Captain F.U.J.Tinkler. A.I.F. on fourth and fifth medals, NX100079 F.U.J.Tinkler on sixth and seventh medals, F.U.J.Tinklr on eighth medal, and Major (T.Lt/Col) F.U.J.Tinkler. O.B.E. M.C. A.C. of Sigs on last medal. The first, second eighth and ninth medals engraved, the rest impressed. Swing mounted, ribbons worn or damaged, contact marks, otherwise fine - very fine.

Together with,

1. Anzac Commemorative Medallion 1915, issued in 1967, in bronze (50x75mm) (C.1915/3), named to F.U.J.Tinkler and in case of issue.

2. Photo album titled, 'Realities of War" 1914-1918, a massive approx 120 pages of b&w photos giving a complete account of the war in Europe with every photo described in handwriting of Frederick Tinkler, noted a group photo that includes Tinkler with other officers about to return to Australia at war's end. One of the most comprehensive records seen by this cataloguer.

3. Pocket Edition Gillette Safety Razor in nickel silver case inscribed on top, 'Egypt/Lieut F.U.J.Tinkler/1916'.

4. Circular mirror for shaving with separate screw-on timber base.

5. A pair of saddle stirrups by Eglantine.

6. Khaki WWII Army issue kit bag marked 'NX100679 Colonel F.U.J.Tinkler'.

7. Large photo (18.5x37.5cm) of a charging Light Horse man with sword at the ready.

8. Leather binder containing photo of Tinkler in uniform together with bestowal document for OBE signed by GRI.

9. Lacquered desk top storage box.

10. Pair of field binoculars in case.

11. Photo of Tinkler in NSW Scottish Rifles uniform and with Australian Corps of Signallers collar badge in brass 1900-1912.

12. MID certificates for mentions on 13 November 1916; 8 November 1918; 16 March 1919.

13. Certificates for rank examinations in NSW Scottish Rifles, namely Corporal's exam 17 May 1912; Sergeant's exam 1 June 1913.

14. Personal letters of congratulations from General Birdwood, one for the award of the Military Cross and one for the OBE.

15. Handwritten letters from Maj Gen Sir Nevill Smyth VC.

16. Commissioning document as Lieutenant 13 October 1914.

17. A very large quantity of documents, photos, and letters, spanning Tinkler's lifetime of military and RSL service, noted several photos in various Anzac Day marches and another showing Tinkler as Chief Signals Officer releasing the first birds in a launch of thousands of pigeons under the auspices of the NSW Racing Pigeons Association in 1944 for raising war funds.

18. Various letters of condolences on Tinkler's death, a few examples being from the NSW Premier R.W.Askin and the Sydney Lord Mayor, H.Jensen.

19. A very large scrap book containing various newspapers and newspaper cuttings spanning the period from WWI to Vietnam.

20. Books - The Anzac Book; The Billy Book/Hughes Abroad.

21. Large metal storage chest.



OBE: LG 3/6/1919, p6812; CAG 15/9/1919, p1370. (Order was sent to Victoria Barracks, Sydney, NSW for presentation in 1920. At the time Capt Tinkler was residing at the home of his father, Albert Percivale Tinkler, 'Portnahinch', Manson Rd, Strathfield, NSW)



Recommendation: This officer was in charge of the 2nd Aust. Div. Signal Coy, during the operations at Baurevoir and Montbrehain on 3rd, 4th, & 5th Oct. 1918. He showed great organizing ability and initiative in handling the communications of the Division during this period. On the Division being relieved he remained behind with the 30th American Division and very materially assisted them by his advice and experience. As 2nd in Command of the 2nd Aust. Div. Signal Company he has at all times shown great devotion to duty and by his energy and ability has contributed largely to the efficiency of the communications of the 2nd Aust. Division.



DSO: (not awarded - recommendation shows Transferred to Div Sig Co List).



Recommendation: Lieut F.U.J.Tinkler with 1st Signals Aust Engrs at Pozieres 23-25.7.1916 in command of Brigade Signal Section organized the Signal Service and worked hard with linemen in seeing to repair of lines till all available wire was used up. Over 800 messages were handled in the 24 hours and the visual signalling and pigeon service were of great value. This officer who did not miss a day's duty during the Gallipoli operations has had slow promotion during this having been transferred to the Engrs. From the 1st Bn.



MC: LG 3/3/1917, p2198; CAG 25/7/1917, p1544.



Recommendation: At Delville Valley on the night 30th/31st, December 1916 during the shelling of Brigade Headquarters in which the whole of the telephone and telegraph lines of the 1st Infantry Brigade were blown out, this officer showed conspicuous gallantry in leading his men and personally mending the lines and supervising their re-erection under tremendously heavy shell fire that lasted from 10.30 p.m. on the 30th to 4.0 a.m. on the 31st when communication was finally restored.



MID: (1st) LG 4/1/1917, p254; CAG 29/6/1917, p1392; (2nd) LG 31/12/1918, p15226; CAG 23/5/1919, p880; (3rd) LG 11/7/1919, p8829; CAG 30/10/1919, p1656.



Recommendation (for MC and later for MID): At Pozieres, France, from 22nd to 26th July 1916, he maintained communications with Bde. and Battalion Hd. Qrs. of the 1st Aust. Infantry Bde., both before and during the operations of the Brigade in this Sector. He showed great ability and devotion to duty in so doing and in personally supervising the repairing of lines during very heavy shell fire. During the operations of August 16th to 23rd, he displayed great initiative in personally supervising the running of new wires, and often repairing broken wires at great personal risk, and maintained constant Signal communication between Brigade Hd. Qrs. and Battalions in the front line.



WWI: Frederick Usher John Tinkler, State Civil Servant and successful candidate at Junior University Sydney & Sate Service Exam, age 21, born at East Maitland, NSW; Enl.27Aug1914 at Sydney with previous service of 5 years with NSW Scottish Rifles qualified for rank of Corporal and Sergeant and then with 25 Signal Coy Aust Engrs as Commissioned Officer for 18 months and a 1st Class Signaller; Emb.18Oct1914; to Gallipoli 25Apr1915; 03Jul1915 on Command as Camp Commandant 1st Bn at Anzac; 07Aug1915 trf'd to 2nd F.Coy Engrs for special duty; 28Jul1915 rejoined unit at Gallipoli; 05Aug1915 seconded for duty with Div Sig Coy at Gallipoli; 14Oct1915 to 1st Sig Coy; 12Jan1917 to 2nd Div Sig Coy, France and to be Captain; 20Jan1917 AIF Orders List 138 - Mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's despatch of 13/11/16 for distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty in the Field; 06Mar1917 AIF List 150 awarded MC; 16Jul1918 detached as Instructor to 65th USA Inf Brigade; 04Aug1918 rejoined unit; RTA 05Jun1919; Appointment terminated 11Oct1919.



WWII: Commanding Sigs 2 Aust Div 03Jun1940; 14Aug1941 Att for service with Minister of Interior; CSO HQ NSW L of C 06Apr1942; Enl.17Aug1942 for AIF at Paddington, Sydney, NSW and allotted number NX100079 (N53567); whilst on inspection duties at Bathurst on 09Nov1943 injured in eye by blast or flying object whilst standing adjacent to a small gelignite charge which exploded; Disch.21May1944 as Lt Colonel ex 2 Corps of Signals; Trf'd to R of O List with rank of Hon Colonel; Col Tinkler's son John also served in WWII with 2/9 Field Regt Sig Sec.



Frederick Usher John Tinkler was born at East Maitland on 23 March 1893. He was educated at Cleveland Street Public School, Surry Hills, Sydney, NSW. In 1910 he joined a militia unit, the NSW Scottish Rifles, and in 1913 transferred to the Australian Corps of Signals and was commissioned. When WWI started he enlisted in 1Bn AIF as a probationary 2nd Lieutenant. He was one of the original Anzacs and while on Gallipoli he was appointed Brigade Signal Officer to a senior British Army officer, Maj Gen Sir Nevill Smyth VC (1st Inf Bde). Later in France, mention of Tinkler's work at Pozieres is made by Dr C.E.W Bean in his official history of the war. When Maj Gen Sir Nevill Smyth VC assumed command of the 2nd Aust Div, Tinkler transferred to 2 Div Sig Coy and in 1918 he was OC Signals Liaison Force which comprised 13 Aust Inf Bde and the 131st American Regt and was assigned with the task of clearing up the Chipilly Spur and Bray on the north bank of the Somme. During the war he served in campaigns at the Gallipoli Landing, Lone Pine and the Gallipoli Evacuation in Turkey, Pozieres, Delville Valley and the Somme in France and Broodseinde Ridge in Belgium.



Post war, Frederick Tinkler joined the RSL Movement in 1919 and over the ensuing years until his death he served in various official positions. He also served with the militia with 2 Div Sigs and in 1940 commanded the unit. In 1942 he was appointed Chief Signal Officer NSW L of C and later 2nd Army. He was also responsible for organising the Carrier Pigeon Service and for this he was much praised. In 1944 when he transferred to the Reserves, Tinkler returned to his job as an officer of the Rural Bank of NSW. He held the position with the bank of Deputy Superintendent of Personal Loans. He was a member of the Family Welfare Committee and a member of the first Board of Management of the War Veterans' Home as well as being responsible for publicity when the scheme was inaugurated. He was president of the 2nd Div Sigs Association, a position he held for many years. He joined Coogee-Randwick RSL in 1945 and was President of this organisation from 1946-1952. He held official positions with the NSW RSL and was a member of the Anzac House Trust.



In September 1958 he was appointed Custodian of the Cenotaph at Martin Place, Sydney until his death at Waverley on 11 February 1960 at the age of 67.



The Colonel F.U.J.Tinkler Memorial Shield Competition is conducted each year by the RSL Youth Council to find the pre-eminent RSL Youth Club in the State and is considered by Youth Council to be the most prestigious event of the year. The Shield was donated in the 1960s by Mrs H.Tinkler MBE in order to perpetuate the memory of her husband who was the founder of the NSW RSL Youth Movement in late 1957.



With copy of service file and other research.