Major Minden Charles Cardigan Pinching

Born: 25th October 1881

Date of Death: 20th April 1917

Age: 35

Early Life
Minden Charles Cardigan Pinching was born on October 25, 1881, at Balcarry, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, to Adam Park Pinching, a retired Captain of Her Majesty’s 20th Regiment of Foot, and Elizabeth Gladstone Pinching.

On June 7, 1885, Minden’s father, Adam Park Pinching, passed away in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. By 1891, Minden was living with his mother and sister, Agnes Mary, at 18 Queensgate Gardens, Kensington, London.

Minden was educated at Wellington College in Berkshire.

Military Career
On December 5, 1900, Minden was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen’s Bays) and promoted to Lieutenant on June 8, 1901.

The 1901 Census records Minden at Aldershot Military Base, Hampshire, while his mother lived as a boarder in Ober Road, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, living on her own means.

Between 1901 and 1902, Lieutenant Minden C.C. Pinching served in the South African War, earning the Queen's Medal with five clasps. From 1903 to 1906, he served as an Adjutant, assisting the commanding officer of his regiment. On April 3, 1907, Minden was promoted to Captain.

Personal Life
Minden’s mother, Elizabeth, passed away on August 23, 1908, at Lodge Farm, Farnham, Surrey.

In the 1911 Census, Captain Minden C.C. Pinching was recorded with the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen’s Bays) at Wellington Lines, Aldershot.

On October 6, 1913, Minden married Evelyn Percy Warner (née Dove) at St. James Church, Westminster.

World War I Service
At the outbreak of World War I, the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen’s Bays) were part of the British Expeditionary Force in the 1st Cavalry Brigade. They first saw action at Mons on August 23, 1914. After participating in the First Battle of the Marne, Captain Pinching was wounded on September 12 but returned to duty shortly after.

Minden was promoted to Major on November 1, 1914. The regiment continued fighting on the Ypres Salient through 1914 and 1915, alternating between cavalry and infantry roles.

On March 18, 1915, Evelyn Percy Pinching gave birth to their daughter, Evelyn Amy Pinching (1915–1988), in Smallburgh, Norfolk.

On January 14, 1916, Major Pinching was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and a Mention in Dispatches for gallantry in the field.

In the summer of 1916, the Cavalry Regiments were tasked with creating breakthroughs during the Allied offensive on the Somme. On September 15, 1916, during an attack near Ginchy and Flers, Major Pinching was seriously wounded. Refusing treatment, he continued to lead until forced to seek medical care. He was later transferred to a London hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on April 20, 1917.

Major Pinching was buried in the churchyard of All Saints Church, Tilford, Surrey, his wife's home village. His grave is located to the southwest of the church.

Honors and Legacy
In addition to the Distinguished Service Order, Minden was posthumously awarded the French Croix de Guerre on May 1, 1917, for gallantry. His decorations were later donated by his daughter to the Regimental Museum, Cardiff Castle, where they are on permanent display.

Minden’s daughter, Evelyn Amy “Evie” Pinching, became a celebrated alpine skier, winning the 1936 women’s downhill and combined events at the world championship in Innsbruck. She also competed in the 1936 Winter Olympics, finishing ninth in the alpine skiing combined.

The Evie Pinching Award was established in her honor and is given annually by the Ski Club of Great Britain to a promising young athlete in snowsports. The winner receives a £1,000 bursary and training opportunities with elite athletes.

Family Legacy
Evelyn Percy Pinching, Minden’s wife, passed away on January 30, 1958, in Nice, France. Their daughter, Evie Pinching, died on December 24, 1988, in Westminster, London.

Connection to Upavon
A newspaper article in the Wiltshire Times dated September 26, 1914, mentions Captain Pinching’s wounding. The article notes that he was well known in Upavon, as his sister, Mrs. Jenkins, was married to Rev. N.H. Jenkins, the vicar of the parish.

This gives us Major Pinching's link to Upavon