Charles was a second-born twin to Louisa Volk (my great grandmother), the 9th child born to his mother. Tragically, two of his older siblings had died in infancy, but at the time of his birth, the family consisted of: Charles' oldest sibling (half-brother Johann Hinkler); two sisters (both born in Hoernsheim, Hessen, Prussia); a brother born on board the ship en route to Australia; and another brother born at Rawbelle Station in Gayndah, Queensland, where Charles was born two years later in 1872. He grew up in outback Queensland and reportedly, remained very close to his twin Louisa throughout his life.

Please note that whilst Charles' original death record and certificate give his mother's surname as "Will" (not Wills as written below), both are incorrect - it's HINKLER. Anna Elisabetha, it seems, reinvented herself on arrival in Australia and created a deceased first husband called Johann Hinkler to explain her illegitimate son of the same name. The German records show clearly that firstly, the child Johann was illegitimate (they even had a special column for "unehelich") and that secondly, her marriage to Ludwig Volk was her first and only one. Misinformation abounds, such as is written below, that Anna's maiden name is Wills (she used her grandmother's maiden name "Will") or Burck, but it was Hinkler. I have written an extensive biography on this, accepted into the Hinkler Museum some years ago - for those that want to see the original German records.

Nikki Stern.

Death registration: Charles George Ludwig Volk
Birth date: 13/02/1872
Death date: 03/07/1950
Mother's name: Anna Elizabeth Wills
Father/parent's name: Ludwig Volk
Registration details: 1950/C/2778

Marriage registration:
Charles George Volk
Marriage date: 14/02/1899
Spouse's name: Margaret Robb
Registration details: 1899/C/1260