More about John Spink

John was the brother of Pte Alfred Edward Spink, 13976, Highland Division, Army Cyclist Corps, who was killed in action, 11.10.1918.

John Spink   D.C.M.   55   Black Watch

Black Watch Signaller Gets D.C.M.

Yet another honour has come to a Dundee soldier.  Private John Spink of the Signal Section 1st Black Watch, has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for the gallantry and devotion to duty he displayed in the terrible action on 9th May, when the 42d wrung from unwilling German lips words of unmeasured praise.  It is understood that Private Spink was recommended by his commanding officer for the Victoria Cross.

Writing to his mother, who resides at 5 Constitution Street, Dundee, Private Spink conveys the information in a naïve postscript, asking her to send out to him “about fourpence worth of D.C.M. ribbon.”  In a later communication he stated that he had been congratulated by the General Commanding the Division, and that the award of the D.C.M. to himself and three others had been sent out in Divisional Orders.

Private Spink is one of the gallant family of five brothers, of whom Mrs Spink might well be proud, as all are serving their King and country.  Sergeant William is at the front with the 9th Black Watch, while Private Samuel went out with the 1st  Black Watch, and after being twice wounded was transferred to the 2d Battalion, with which he is now in the firing line.  Private John, the first member of the family to gain distinction, has been out since the early days of the war with the 1st  Battalion, and has come unscathed through most of the severe engagements in which his regiment  taken part.  He is now, however, in a base hospital suffering from illness caused by the rigours he has undergone.  Gunner Henry is in the Motor Machine Gun Service, and expects to leave for the front shortly, while the youngest son, Alfred, is a cyclist in the 3d line of the Highland Divisional Cyclist Company.  William, Samuel, and Henry all served previously in the Black Watch, and re-enlisted on the outbreak of war.

How the Honour Was Won.

The incident in which Private Spink won the honour which has come to him is destined to be one of the most famous in the annals of the 42d.  It will be remembered that on 9th May the battalion made a desperate charge on a line of German trenches which had successfully resisted the attacks of three other British battalions.  The Black Watch carried the position, but so heavy were their losses that they were unable to hold it, and had to fall back in the face of a furious machine gun and rifle fire.  So severe was the toll taken by the enemy, that the Black Watch had to lie down midway between the British and German lines in a position of grave peril owing to the possibility of being outflanked and annihilated.  Reinforcements were urgently needed, and Spink, springing to his feet after a fellow signaller had fallen in attempting to send a message to the Brigade headquarters, stood calmly amid a rain of bullets till he had signalled the words―”Try and send reinforcements.”  The message was at once heeded, and the remnant of the battalion saved.

Dundee Peoples Journal 7th August 1915