Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Acting Serjeant W. J. Winter, Royal Fusiliers, killed in action, Bellewarde Lake, 16 June 1915

Tibet 1903-04, 1 clasp, Gyantse (6709 Pte. W. Winter, 1st Bn. Ryl. Fusrs.); 1914 Star, with copy clasp (6709 Pte. W. Winter, 4/R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (L-6709 A. Sjt. W. J. Winter, R. Fus.) nearly extremely fine (4)
£1400-1600

Walter Joseph Winter was born in Walworth and lived and enlisted at Tottenham. Serving with the 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers he served in the Tibet Campaign gaining the medal with clasp for Gyantse. As a Private in the 4th Battalion he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 11 November 1914.

In June 1915 the battalion formed part of the 9th Brigade, 3rd Division. The enemy were left in control of Bellewarde Lake at the end of May and their positions made an uncomfortable ‘sag’ in the line around Ypres. .... the 3rd Division were given the job of straightening out the line. The 4th Battalion Royal Fusiliers were in positions east of Cambridge Road Trench. On 16 June the attack began with an artillery bombardment at 1.30am. .... two hours later the enemy front line trenches were occupied without very much resistance. However, two companies of the 4th Battalion on the right of the attck pushed on too far through the wood ahead of the artillery cover ... they gained a trench on the west bank of Bellewarde Lake but suffered severely from enemy fire. The survivors withdrew to a communication trench and held it against enemy counter-attacks throughout the day until ordered to retire in the late afternoon. Battalion casualties for the day were 15 officers and 376 other ranks killed, missing or wounded. Amongst the dead was Acting Serjeant A. W. Winter.

Having no known grave, Winter’s name is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. He was the son of George and Mary Winter and husband of Agnes Jane Winter of 35 Catherine Street, At. Ann’s Road, South Tottenham, London. Sold with a folder containing copied research.