Hinckfuss was awarded the Military Medal for action at Westhoek Ridge . He was born in 1893, at Brisbane, where after the war was declared he joined the 26th Battalion for WW1 service. He served on Gallipoli at Taylor's Hallow, Shallac Derree , Russell's top , witnessed Kitcheners visit 11/11/15, Mule's Gully and Plugges and after Gallipoli continued onto the Western Front .

This book like so many of the Australian Soldier letter / diary books is highly sought after for research. Hickfuss really gives some wonderful detailed descriptions  providing the reader with the realism of the War. Names many times soldiers who have been killed or wounded and ones he served with (good for medal research). Other battles fought and covered are Armentiers Villers Bretonneux 1st and 2nd Pozieres Broodseinde Ridge Albert Ploegsteert Somme Harbonnieres Mont St Quentin Hindenburg Line . Fully Indexed with 5 excellent printed plates one of Hinckfuss signallers in action, soldiers are named and a Cairo 1915 group shot of 26th sigs section all named.

Hinckfuss was engaged in further military medal action at Bapaume Road when he was badly wounded. He gives graphic detail of his trip to the clearing station when two other wounded diggers either side of him on a deccaville carriage died.  Their bodies being tossed off and his cold blood (no anaesthetic) operation on his wounded hip. Above reference to Taylor's Hallow, Shallac Derree I think they were Suvla positions - to be sure, the 26th didn't go to Suvla but sigs were in short supply and as Hinckfuss states he was ' shanghied' until rejoining the 26th sigs at Russell's.