Herbert Hindmarsh was the son of George Hindmarsh who died in 1909; brother of Cyril and Hugh Hindmarsh. Foster son of Mrs Mary Hindmarsh of Auckland.
He attended Wellington College and excelled at sport: rugby and cricket.
Part of a letter to his younger brother Cyril, believed to be his last letter, is held by family: page 3 ... so it is satisfying to know it will be getting cooler now, although people here say that there is not much difference between summer and winter.
There is not much news here Cyril, for we are still Massey's grooms doing nothing but look after horses - I am perfectly satisfied that I will never look another horse in the face when I go back. However hope to goodness to get away on Monday, my rifle is anxious for a round or two. I Know ... my chum Edward Joseph of Wellington has been in the trenches from the beginning & in his letters reckons it out its own. In his first letter he said " I left Alexandria on one of the transports which was packed tight with troops and was not sorry at midnight when we arrived in Lemnos Island. We all disembarked here and about 400 of us were put aboard a "Destroyer" there seeming to be hundreds in Lemnos Harbour, being a splendid closed in harbour offering every protection to H.M.S. Ships. We landed at Cape Helles in the early morning during a heavy bombardment from the warships, we found to our amazement Turkish trenches right on the beach, but took these in fine style driving the Turks right out over the hill, there being heavy casualties on both sides. Now that we are settled down in our own trenches and I think of it all, I wonder how I got through it all without a scratch in fact how many of us escaped.
There is still a few shells flying around. There comes a drawn out whistle through the air, every one stops talking and waits for the explosion. It bursts and every one looks around to see if there has been any one knocked out and so it goes on. Up above us we have an aeroplane reconnoitring day & night, a now & again you can catch the peculiar buzz of the propeller. At the first I had a very shaky feeling & quite sick with the sights of the killed and wounded but now don't care a hang for anything. He ends up by saying Cyril, that a patrol had just brought in a "Turkish sniper" which they captured up a tree in a clump of bush a few hundred yards away, and who had done a great amount of damage. He had with him in the tree rations for seven days but the funny part about it was that and the rifle were painted green for disguise.
Well Cyril I must knock off but will write you again very shortly. Hope Hugh is a good boy & he is working harder. I know Cyril you must be getting on well to be at Grammar. Now must say goodbye. Much love to all & kisses from your brother Herbert

PS. I am writing this mail to Public Trustee, Auckland for mother's money 3[pounds]. Hope it will receive attention & if not tell me. Tell Mother to call at the office as I have mentioned that in my letter.

CWGC names Mrs Ann Mary Hindmarsh as foster-mother

Next of Kin: Mrs H. Hindmarsh, Remuera, Auckland (Roll of Honour, Auckland Province 1914-1918 (Volume 1)) AWMM