Military History

Pinkerton failed to embark at Adelaide per HMAT ‘Geelong’ A12, with ‘D’ Coy. 18.11.1915. He later boarded with the 2nd Reinf. in 1916.
Embarked Adelaide per HMAT ‘Borda’ A30 for Egypt 11.1.1916.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 32nd Battalion, 2nd Reinf.
Pinkerton disembarked in Egypt with the 32nd Bn. The troops arrived in the aftermath of the evacuation of troops from Gallipoli and the re-organisation of the AIF. Pinkerton was allotted to the 8th Training Bn. attached to 16th Bn. at Zeitoun 7.3.1916 and taken on strength at Tel-el-Kebir 10.3.1916. He joined British Expeditionary Force (BEF) at Alexandria and embarked for France 1.6.1916. The Battalions first major action  in France was at Pozieres in the Somme Valley. Pinkerton was
wounded in action in the field 11.8.1916. He received a shell wound in the left foot and was transferred by 1st Field Ambulance to 1st Convalescent Depot Boulogne 13.9.1916. He was transferred to 25th General Hospital, then Base Details at Boulogne. He rejoined his Unit 1.10.1916. Pinkerton was taken on strength with his Bn. 4.10.1916. Reported AWOL 20.12.1916 and received disciplinary action.
Pinkerton rejoined his unit and with the other Bns. of the 4th Division. They continued in the trenches on the Somme through early 1917. On 11.4.1917 the 4th Division Infantry advanced towards Reincourt as part of the Battle of Bullecourt. Their passage was difficult, with both the terrain and barbed wire obstruction. Some Bns. ran out of ammunition. There were casualties and prisoners taken.
Pinkerton was reported missing in action a near Reincourt 11.4.1917. He was taken as a POW 12.4.1917 (unofficially recorded in postcard to parents from an escaped POW) and interned at Kriegsgefangenen, Limberg, Germany.
After Armistice POW’s were repatriated to England. Pinkerton was repatriation to Hull England 19.12.1918. He marched in to Admin HQ and was discharged for return to Australia 7.1.1919.
Embarked for Australia per HT ’Nevassa’ 5.3.1919.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 20.4.1919.
Discharged 5.6.1919.
Final Rank Private, 16th Bn. AIF.
Medical Condition NK (POW)
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Photos HMAT 'Borda'. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph source AWM PB0277
             Pozieres under German bombardment. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM G01534E
             Bullecourt, France 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM H12360
             Limburg POW Camp Germany. Photographer unknown, photograph source Irish Prisoners of War website
             Pinkerton POW. Image source the Daily News  19.7.1917 p5

Information Source
AWM PB0277 HMAT 'Borda'. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph sourced from the Pictorial collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM G01534E. Pozieres under German bombardment. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM H12360. Bullecourt, France 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Red Cross File- Albert David Pinkerton
Daily News
Irish POWs Limburg  Camp Germany. Photographer unknown, photograph source Irish Prisoners of War websit , http://www.irishbrigade.eu/camps/limburg.html
NAA: B2455, Pinkerton Albert David
St Matthew’s Honour Roll
Wise H. and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories

Beechboro Park, near Guildford, WA.

Associated Images