| Regimental number | 8/2134 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Caroline, Southland |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Sawmiller |
| Address | Brown's, Southland |
| Marital status | Single |
| Height | 5' 5.5" |
| Weight | 144 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, R P Sinclair, Brown's, Southland |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Trentham |
| Rank on embarkation | Private |
| Enlistment status | Volunteer |
| Unit name | New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 5th Reinforcements, Otago Infantry Battalion |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Wellington on board HMNZT 24 Maunganui on |
| Final rank | Sergeant |
| Final unit | 1st Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 26 |
| Place of burial | No known grave |
| Commemoration details | Tyne Cot Memorial (New Zealand Apse, Panel No 3), Tyne Cot Cemetery, Belgium |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Mr & Mrs Robert Paterson Sinclair, Brown's, Invercargill, Southland |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'During the attack on Messines 7th June 1917, this Battalion suffered heavily as regards Officers. Sgt Sinclair, when his Officer had been killed in the advance, immediately took command of the Platoon, carried them on to their objective with complete success, and handled them with marked ability. As there was only one Officer left unwounded in this Company, Sgt Sinclair was indefatigible in supervising the consolidation under heavy enfilade shellfire, and throughout set a fine example of bravery and determination.'
Source: 'London Gazette' Date: |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Joined Bn at Gallipoli, 9 August 1915. Admitted to HS 'Guildford Castle', 13 August 1915 (enteritis); transferred to Malta, 21 August 1915, and admitted to St Patrick's Hospital; transferred to Convalescent Camp, 8 October 1915. Rejoined Bn, Moascar Camp, Ismailia, 19 January 1916. Appointed Lance Corporal, 3 April 1916. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, France, 6 April 1916. Appointed Temporary Corporal, 19 August 1916. Wounded in action, 27 September 1916 (shell shock, and relinquished appointment of Temporary Corporal on being evacuated; admitted to 15th Casualty Clearing Station, 27 October 1916; rejoined Bn, in the field, 3 October 1916. Promoted Corporal, 10 October 1916. Promoted Sergeant, 1 April 1917. Awarded Military Medal for gallantry in the field. Detached to Army Rest Camp, 15 July 1917; rejoined Bn, 30 July 1917. Detached to 2nd Army Central School, 11 August 1917; rejoined Bn, in the field, 15 September 1917. Killed in action, 12 October 1917. War service: 1 year 243 days (of which 488 days were abroad) Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Miscellaneous details | Nominal Roll Vol. 1: Otago Infantry Batln/Fifth |
| Sources | Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 7817665 |