Memory Minder

Private John ‘Barney’ Hines, born 11 October 1878 in Liverpool, United Kingdom was a renowned Australian soldier of World War 1, who fought on the Western Front in France. He was assigned to the 45th Infantry Battalion in May 1917. He disliked using the .303 and preferred to use two sandbags filled with grenades. Hines was a fearless soldier and an exceptional fighter, but hopeless when it came to military discipline. This poor discipline would lead to a sting of fines which denied him promotions, and which left him almost destitute in his old age.

Hines had the habit of adopting a glazed stare when confronted by hostile German soldiers and his digger comrades dubbed him ‘Wild Eyes’. He was also known for refusing to leave a wounded soldier behind and repeatedly set off under heavy fire, to rescue casualties.

His habit of souveniring the spoils of war, earned him the nickname the “Souvenir King”. The famous photo above was taken at the Battle of Polygon Wood in September, 1917 and was used for propaganda purposes, reaching the German Kaiser who was so infuriated, he placed a dead or alive bounty on Hines.

Hines lived out his days in western Sydney, passing away on 28 January 1958 (aged 79). He had to survive on his war pension, income from odd jobs and money from the sale of his precious souvenirs. Hines died penniless and was buried in an unmarked grave in the Rookwood Catholic Cemetery.

On the 18th September, 2014, one of Mt Druitt’s famous heroes of WW1, finally had a name put on his headstone more than 50 years after his death thanks to the 45th Infantry Battalion Association arranging a plaque and headstone. The dedication service at the Sacred Heart Chapel was attended by Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO in one of her last functions before her retirement.

Private John ‘Barney’ Hines, born 11 October 1878 in Liverpool, United Kingdom was a renowned Australian soldier of World War 1, who fought on the Western Front in France. He was assigned to the 45th Infantry Battalion in May 1917. He disliked using the .303 and preferred to use two sandbags filled with grenades. Hines was a fearless soldier and an exceptional fighter, but hopeless when it came to military discipline. This poor discipline would lead to a sting of fines which denied him promotions, and which left him almost destitute in his old age.

Hines had the habit of adopting a glazed stare when confronted by hostile German soldiers and his digger comrades dubbed him ‘Wild Eyes’. He was also known for refusing to leave a wounded soldier behind and repeatedly set off under heavy fire, to rescue casualties.

His habit of souveniring the spoils of war, earned him the nickname the “Souvenir King”. The famous photo above was taken at the Battle of Polygon Wood in September, 1917 and was used for propaganda purposes, reaching the German Kaiser who was so infuriated, he placed a dead or alive bounty on Hines.

Hines lived out his days in western Sydney, passing away on 28 January 1958 (aged 79). He had to survive on his war pension, income from odd jobs and money from the sale of his precious souvenirs. Hines died penniless and was buried in an unmarked grave in the Rookwood Catholic Cemetery.

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