On Tuesday 31st. December 2013. Plymouth branch paid their annual homage to Lt. George Hinckley VC RN. 40 attended the service in the newly refurbished Chapel in Ford Park Cemetary, Plymouth.Among those attending were his great great grandson Andrew Smith and his great-great-great granddaughter Rachael Connor and her husband Kevin. We were well supported by The Plymouth and District Ex-Services associations, of which we are a member. 8 Standards were in attendance - Plymouth Branch, HMS Ganges Assn., Royal Fleet Auxiliary Assn., British Korean Vets Assn., R.A.F. Assn., Light Infantry Assn., Coldstream Guards Assn. and R.B.L. Ivybridge Branch. The service was conducted by our Padre Rev. Peter Warland QHC RN, and a poppy wreath laid by Andrew Smith. Tea , coffee and soft drinks were provided along with a much appreciated buffet by John Boon and his volunter helpers in the Friends of Ford Park Cemetary Trust.
Quartermaster George Hinckley, Victoria Cross, was born in Liverpool on 22nd June 1819, and died on 31st December 1904. On 9th October 1862 aged 43 at Fung Wha, China. Able Seaman Hinckley of H.M.S. Sphinx volunteered to go to the rescue of the Assistant Master of the Sphinx, who was lying in the open, severely wounded. The Able Seaman went out under heavy and continuous fire and carried the Assistant Master to the shelter of a joss house 150 yards away. He then returned and carried a wounded Army Captain to safety. George Hinckley attained the rank of Quartermaster. His V.C. was gazetted on 61h February 1863.