Albert James Tinkess

Acting Sergeant Albert James Tinkess (18402) was a carpenter in Edmonton before the outbreak of the First World War. He was also active in the local militia. Born on April 21, 1895, at Gravel Hill, Stormont County, Ontario, he was 19 when war broke out. Less than two weeks later he signed up, joining the 101st Edmonton Fusiliers. They shipped out to Valcartier where he was formally enlisted in the 9th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force. They embarked from Quebec City on October 4, 1914, on the S. S. Zealand. 

Once they arrived in England the 9th was redesigned as the 9th Reserve Infantry Battalion of the CEF. Private Tinkess would have seen action with the 9th in training on Salisbury Plain. Once in France, the Battalion supported the soldiers in the 10th and 43rd Battalions, and would have been in action at all the major battles: the Second Battle of Ypres, Gravenstafel, Saint-Julien, Festubert, Mont Sorrel, Somme (Sept-Oct 1916), Thiepval Ridge, Ancre Heights, Arras, Vimy, and Hill 70. 

Private Tinkess was transferred to the Canadian Military Police Feb. 16, 1915. He continued serving in the CMP rising to the Rank of Acting Sergeant. In April 1917 he requested to rejoin the regular ranks, and was posted to the 10th Battalion. This was at the time of the Canadian troops’ success at Vimy Ridge. The next major offensive for the Canadian Corps was at Hill 70, another strategic height of land in northern France just a few miles north of Vimy. The fierce battle began on August 12, 1917. It was during this initial attack that Albert Tinkess was killed in action. He is buried at Loos British Cemetery in Pas de Calais, France.

We Will Remember Them