Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

Cadet F Hindmarch has been very difficult to research.  The fact that he signs the book as a Cadet indicates that he was undergoing Officer training in June 1917.  The only likely information found so far is an entry in the London Gazette on 25 March 1919, that recorded the promotion of temporary 2^nd Lieutenant F Hindmarch to temporary Lieutenant in February 1919.  He was serving with the 1^st (Reserve) Garrison Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment.  This Battalion spent the whole war in England.

The Territorial Army took many men who demonstrated potential, came from civilian positions of responsibility, or were respected by their peers, and placed them on Officer Training with rapid promotion to 2^nd Lieutenant.  It would appear that this may be the route taken by Cadet Hindmarch.

He passed through Peterborough East Station and signed the visitors’ book on 3 June 1917.  He wrote “Many thanks to the Two Ladies for their kindness to me while resting in the Soldiers rest”.  His entry, signed with Cadet Cyril Buglass, mentions Tyneside which may indicate that he came from this area.  However, further research proved difficult due to the number of families in the North East with the same surname.  Did you have an F Hindmarch in your family who was an Officer in WW1?  Please get in touch if you can tell us more.