Richard Coupland Spinks was a lawyer who lived at 952 Denman Street from 1906 to 1909.
Family Background
Richard Coupland Spinks was born in Liverpool, England, on May 15, 1876. His parents were John Manley Barrington Spinks and Jane Coupland.
John and Jane were married in Lancaster, England, on January 14, 1874.
![Ancestry.com. Lancashire, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1936 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. Original data: Lancashire Anglican Parish Registers. Preston, England: Lancashire Archives. Name: John Manley Barrington Spink; Gender: Male; Age: 23; Birth Year: abt 1851; Event Type: Marriage; Event Date: 14 Jan 1874; Parish: Lancaster, St Mary, Lancashire, England; Spouse: Jane Coupland; Spouse Age: 22; Father: John Spink; Spouse Father: Richard Coupland; Register Type: Parish Register.](https://westendvancouver.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/john-manley-barrington-spink-and-jane-coupland-marriage-date-january-14-1874.jpg)
Richard was baptized on June 19, 1876.
![Liverpool Record Office; Liverpool, England; Reference Number: 283 KNO/2/1; Ancestry.com. Liverpool, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1906 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Name: Richard Coupland Spinks; Baptism Date: 19 Jun 1876; Baptism Place: Knotty Ash, St John the Evangelist, Lancashire, England; Father: John Manley Barington Spinks; Mother: Jane Spinks.](https://westendvancouver.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/richard-coupland-spinks-baptism-date-june-19-1876.jpg)
In 1881 the family was living in West Derby, Lancashire.
In the spring of 1884, the family sailed to North America. According to one story, they were planning to emigrate to New Zealand, along with John Spinks’s brother, William Ward Spinks, who was a lawyer. Shortly before they were to leave, one of the Spinks brothers happened to meet Charles Tupper, who persuaded them to go to Canada. They landed at New York City and then travelled to British Columbia. (William Ward Spinks later became a lawyer and judge in British Columbia.)
John, Jane, and their children spent the winter of 1884 in Duncan, British Columbia. They later went to Victoria, and moved to Vancouver (then called Granville) in March 1886. John Spinks became a successful real estate broker and a notary public. At various times he was in business with Walter Edward Graveley (1855-1939) and with Robert Garnett Tatlow (1855-1910).
In 1892, Richard and his brother were involved in a legal dispute when two fishermen tried to take the Spinks brothers off the steamboat Yosemite while it was under quarantine.
![The steamboat Yosemite, 1887, Vancouver City Archives, 2011-010.1711 [colour removed].](https://westendvancouver.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/the-steamboat-yosemite-1887-vancouver-city-archives-2011-010-1711.jpg)
The Yosemite had arrived from Victoria, where there had been an outbreak of smallpox, and the authorities were trying to prevent the spread of the disease to Vancouver.
In 1892, John’s wife, Jane, developed pneumonia.
She died on September 16, 1892.
In the 1901 Canada census, John Spinks was living with his wife, Ursula, who was born in Denmark in 1870.
John later moved to Toronto, Ontario.
Richard’s Legal Career and Marriage
Richard went to private schools in Vancouver.
He first appeared in the Vancouver directories in 1894. He was living at 1127 Pendrell Street, and he was a student at law.
He lived at the following addresses in Vancouver.
| 1894 to 1896 | 1127 Pendrell Street |
| 1897 to 1898 | Fairview (probably Eighth Avenue) |
| 1899 | Not listed under Vancouver names |
| 1899-1900 | Fairview (Eighth Avenue) |
| 1900 and 1901 | Eighth Avenue (probably corner of Laurel Street) |
| 1902 | 603 West Hastings Street |
| 1903 and 1904 | 780 Cardero Street |
| 1905 | 1079 Comox Street |
| 1906 to 1909 | 952 Denman Street |
| 1910 | 1400 Beach Avenue |
| 1911 to 1912 | Number 210, 1209 Jervis Street (Blenheim Apartments) |
| 1913 | Number 5, 1243 Thurlow Street (Hampton Court Apartments) |
| 1914 | Number 42, 1243 Thurlow Street (Hampton Court Apartments) |
| 1915 and 1916 | Number 33, 1243 Thurlow Street (Hampton Court Apartments) |
| 1917 | No street address listed under names (active service) |
He became a lawyer in July 1902.
During most of his legal career, Richard was in partnership with John Harold (“Harry”) Senkler, who lived at 1889 Haro Street from 1898 to 1926. (Further information appears on the page for John Harold (“Harry”) Senkler (1866-1926); https://westendvancouver.wordpress.com/biographies-n-z/biographies-s/senkler-john-harold-1866-1926/.)
Marriage to Mary Dixon
On February 18, 1903, in Vancouver, Richard married Mary Mildred Dixon. She was born in New Brunswick on October 1, 1879. Her parents were Sylvester Dixon (1838-1920) and Jane Brown.
In 1907, Thomas and Lillian Fawcett visited Richard and Mary at the Spinks home on Denman Street.
Richard’s main sports were rowing and football.
He served for six years with the Sixth Regiment of Rifles.
In 1914, a brief biography of him appeared in Who’s Who and Why.
Military Service
On October 23, 1915, in Vancouver, Richard signed his attestation papers to serve with the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War.
He was killed on April 10, 1917. He was buried in Ecoivres Military Cemeter in Pas de Calais, France.
Mary: Later Life
In 1920, Mary was living at 843 Cardero Street, when her brother, William Dixon, died after an accident in a livery stable.
Mary died in Vernon, British Columbia, on April 19, 1922. She was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver.
Sources
John Manley Barrington Spinks (father of Richard Coupland Spinks)
“England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:26RV-7BZ : 1 October 2014), John Manley Barrington Spinks, 1850; from “England & Wales Births, 1837-2006,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Birth Registration, West Derby, Lancashire, England, citing General Register Office, Southport, England.
“England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N1N9-XYF : 11 February 2018, John Manly Barrington Spinks, ); citing Lancashire, England, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 2,147,887.
“England and Wales Census, 1871”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VBNJ-92V : 11 December 2017), John M B Spinks in entry for John Spinks, 1871.
“England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2DGR-ZR4 : 13 December 2014), John Manley B Spinks, 1874; from “England & Wales Marriages, 1837-2005,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing 1874, quarter 1, vol. 8E, p. 828, Lancaster, Lancashire, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
“England Marriages, 1538–1973 ,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NXYB-14D : 10 February 2018), John Manley Barrington Spink and Jane Coupland, 1874; citing St. Mary’S, Lancaster, Lancashire, England, reference 2:3LP6RKS, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 1,526,202.
“England and Wales Census, 1881,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q27L-GBTC : 13 December 2017), John M Spinks, West Derby, Lancashire, England; from “1881 England, Scotland and Wales Census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing p. 11, Piece/Folio 3716/80, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey; FHL microfilm 101,775,071.
“New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1891,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:27TG-QM9 : 12 March 2018), John M Spinks, 1884; citing NARA microfilm publication M237 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm .
“Canada Census, 1891,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWKS-JBR : 3 August 2016), John M Spinks, Vancouver City, New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada; Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; Library and Archives Canada film number 30953_148093.
“Canada Census, 1901,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KHVJ-2L5 : 18 March 2018), John Spinks, Burrard, British Columbia, Canada; citing p. 10, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa.
Jane Coupland (mother of Richard Coupland Spinks)
“England Marriages, 1538–1973 ,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NXYB-14Z : 10 February 2018), John Manley Barrington Spink and Jane Coupland, 1874; citing St. Mary’S, Lancaster, Lancashire, England, reference 2:3LP6RKS, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 1,526,202.
“England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2DGP-813 : 13 December 2014), Jane Coupland, 1874; from “England & Wales Marriages, 1837-2005,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing 1874, quarter 1, vol. 8E, p. 828, Lancaster, Lancashire, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
“England and Wales Census, 1881,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q27L-GBY4 : 13 December 2017), Jane Spinks in household of John M Spinks, West Derby, Lancashire, England; from “1881 England, Scotland and Wales Census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing p. 11, Piece/Folio 3716/80, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey; FHL microfilm 101,775,071.
William Ward Spinks, The Advocate, (1972), volume 30, pages 299-302. Includes story on travel to British Columbia instead of New Zealand.
“New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1891,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:27TG-QMS : 12 March 2018), Jane Spinks, 1884; citing NARA microfilm publication M237 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm .
“Canada Census, 1891,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWKS-JBT : 3 August 2016), Jane Spinks, Vancouver City, New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada; Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; Library and Archives Canada film number 30953_148093.
Ursula (wife of John Manley Barrington Spinks?)
“Canada Census, 1901,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KHVJ-2LR : 18 March 2018), Ursula Spinks, Burrard, British Columbia, Canada; citing p. 10, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa.
Richard Coupland Spinks
Vimy Ridge: A Canadian Reassessment, edited by Geoffrey Hayes, Andrew Iarocci, Mike Bechthold; Wilfrid Laurier Univ. Press; https://books.google.ca/books?id=CtLfAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT235&lpg=PT235&dq#v=onepage&q&f=false.
Richard Coupland Spinks, Who’s Who in Western Canada, 1911, pages 347-348.
Richard Coupland Spinks, British Columbia From the Earliest Times to the Present, volume 4, pages 872-873.
Richard Coupland Spinks (1876–); Birth 15 MAY 1876, West Derby, Lancashire, England; Death Unknown (ancestry.ca).
“England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2XDZ-WSD : 1 October 2014), Richard Coupland Spinks, 1876; from “England & Wales Births, 1837-2006,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Birth Registration, West Derby, Lancashire, England, citing General Register Office, Southport, England.
“England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NTTR-92F : 11 February 2018, Richard Coupland Spinks, ); citing Lancashire, England, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 2,147,887.
“England and Wales Census, 1881,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q27L-GB1W : 13 December 2017), Richard C Spinks in household of John M Spinks, West Derby, Lancashire, England; from “1881 England, Scotland and Wales Census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing p. 11, Piece/Folio 3716/80, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey; FHL microfilm 101,775,071.
“New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1891,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:27TG-QMQ : 12 March 2018), Richard Spinks, 1884; citing NARA microfilm publication M237 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm .
“Canada Census, 1891,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWKS-JBB : 3 August 2016), Richard C Spinks, Vancouver City, New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada; Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; Library and Archives Canada film number 30953_148093.
“Canada Census, 1901,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KHVJ-2LT : 18 March 2018), Richard Spinks in household of Ursula Spinks, Burrard, British Columbia, Canada; citing p. 10, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa.
“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932; 1937-1938,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JD81-S95 : 11 March 2018), Richard Coupland Spinks and Mary Mildred Dixon, 18 Feb 1903; citing Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, British Columbia Archives film number B11373, Vital Statistics Agency, Victoria; FHL microfilm 1,983,530.
“Recensement du Canada de 1911,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV95-M1T1 : 16 March 2018), Richard Spinks, 1911; citing Census, Vancouver Sub-Districts 1-18, British Columbia, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,417,661.
Canadian Expeditionary Force; Name: Spinks, Richard Coupland; Rank: LT; Date of Birth: 15/03/1876; Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 9198 – 13; Item Number: 244427; Record Group: Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF); Digitized service file: B9198-S013; http://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?op=pdf&app=CEF&id=B9198-S013.
Canadian Virtual War Memorial; Richard Coupland Spinks; In memory of Lieutenant Richard Coupland Spinks, April 10, 1917; Military Service: Age: 41; Force: Army; Unit: 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles (British Columbia Regt.). Additional Information: Son of Manly and Jenny Spinks, of Lancashire, England; husband of Mary Mildred Spinks, of 1121 Pacific St., Vancouver. Born at Liverpool, England; http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/66150?Richard%20Coupland%20Spinks.
“Find A Grave Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVKR-TQGD : 13 December 2015), Richard Coupland Spinks, 1917; Burial, Ecoivres, Departement du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France, Ecoivres Military Cemetery; citing record ID 56571392, Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56571392: “Lieut Richard Coupland Spinks; BIRTH: unknown; Death: 10 Apr 1917; Burial: Ecoivres Military Cemetery; Ecoivres, Departement du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France; Plot: VI. D. 6. Memorial ID:56571392.”
“Officers are Killed at Front; Lieut. ‘Dick’ Spinks and Major J.H. Sweet Among Casualties,” Vancouver Province, April 16, 1917, page 1.
Lieut. Richard C. Spinks, Vancouver Sun, April 18, 1917, page 10 [includes photograph of Lieut. Richard C. Spinks].
“Popular Coast Sportsmen Pay Supreme Sacrifice on Battlefields of Flanders,” Vancouver Sun, April 18, 1917, page 10 [includes photograph and biography of Captain “Dick” Spinks].
Sylvester Dixon (father of Mary Mildred Dixon)
“Canada Census, 1871,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4M8-J6M : 11 March 2018), Silvester Dixon, Weldford, Kent, New Brunswick, Canada; citing p. 11, line 16; Library and Archives Canada film number C-10390, Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,229,116.
“Canada Census, 1881,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MV66-TB7 : 11 March 2018), DEFAULT RECORD TITLE – CHANGE ME, Weldford, Kent, New Brunswick, Canada; citing p. 2; Library and Archives Canada film number C-13185, Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 1,375,821.
“Canada Census, 1891,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWK6-1LV : 3 August 2016), Sylvester Dixon, Richibucto, Kent, New Brunswick, Canada; Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; Library and Archives Canada film number 30953_148102.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLKF-RM3 : 8 November 2017), Sylvester Dixon, 1920.
“Find A Grave Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVV5-39MZ : 13 December 2015), Sylvester Dixon, 1920; Burial, Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada, Mountain View Cemetery; citing record ID 26251749, Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/26251749: “Sylvester Dixon; Birth: unknown; Death: 12 Mar 1920; Burial: Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada; Plot: JONES/*/05/016/0016; Memorial ID: 26251749.”
Jane Brown (mother of Mary Mildred Dixon)
“Canada Census, 1871,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4M8-J69 : 11 March 2018), Jane Dixon in household of Silvester Dixon, Weldford, Kent, New Brunswick, Canada; citing p. 11, line 17; Library and Archives Canada film number C-10390, Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,229,116.
“Canada Census, 1881,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MV66-TBW : 11 March 2018), DEFAULT RECORD TITLE – CHANGE ME, Weldford, Kent, New Brunswick, Canada; citing p. 2; Library and Archives Canada film number C-13185, Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 1,375,821.
“Canada Census, 1891,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWK6-1LK : 3 August 2016), Jane Dixon, Richibucto, Kent, New Brunswick, Canada; Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; Library and Archives Canada film number 30953_148102.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FL24-YX8 : 8 November 2017), Jane Dixon, 1926.
“Find A Grave Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVV5-3MTY : 13 December 2015), Jane Dixon, 1926; Burial, Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada, Mountain View Cemetery; citing record ID 26251748, Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/26251748: “Jane Dixon; Birth: unknown; Death: 25 Mar 1926; Burial: Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada; Plot: JONES/*/05/016/0015; Memorial ID: 26251748.”
Mary Mildred Dixon (wife of Richard Coupland Spinks)
“Canada Census, 1881,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MV66-TB6 : 11 March 2018), DEFAULT RECORD TITLE – CHANGE ME, Weldford, Kent, New Brunswick, Canada; citing p. 2; Library and Archives Canada film number C-13185, Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 1,375,821.
“Canada Census, 1891,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWK6-1LG : 3 August 2016), Mary Dixon, Richibucto, Kent, New Brunswick, Canada; Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; Library and Archives Canada film number 30953_148102.
“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932; 1937-1938,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JD81-S9L : 11 March 2018), Richard Coupland Spinks and Mary Mildred Dixon, 18 Feb 1903; citing Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, British Columbia Archives film number B11373, Vital Statistics Agency, Victoria; FHL microfilm 1,983,530.
“Recensement du Canada de 1911,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV95-M1YM : 16 March 2018), Mildred Spinks in entry for Richard Spinks, 1911; citing Census, Vancouver Sub-Districts 1-18, British Columbia, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,417,661.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLKJ-8J7 : 8 November 2017), M Spinks, 1922.
Mary Mildred Spinks, obituary, Vancouver Province, April 20, 1922, page 17: “Spinks—April 19, 1922, at Vernon, B.C., Mary Mildred, widow of the late Capt. R.C. Spinks, in her 43rd year. The funeral service will be held from the residence of her mother, Mrs. S. Dixon, 1121 Pacific St., Saturday, April 22, at 2 p.m.. The Rev. J.H. Cameron will officiate. Interment in family plot, Mt. View Cemetery.”
“Find A Grave Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVV5-7JNY : 13 December 2015), Mary M. Spinks, 1922; Burial, Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada, Mountain View Cemetery; citing record ID 26292079, Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/26292079: “Mary M. Spinks; Birth: unknown; Death: 19 Apr 1922; Burial: Mountain View Cemetery; Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada; Plot: JONES/*/05/016/0013; Memorial ID: 26292079.”
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