Albert Edward Winter

George Winter

James Winter

Thomas Winter

There were four brothers called Winter who served in the Great War:- Albert Edward, John George James Chadwick and Thomas Snowball

Albert Edward Winter, born 1895, a miner, he enlisted at the age of 20, at Ferryhill, September 9th 1914 as Private 18525 Durham Light Infantry 15th Battalion, 64th Brigade, 21st Division.

They were moved to Aylesbury then to Hatton Park in the October going on to billets in High Wycombe in November 1914 and back to Halton Park in April 1915, finally moved to Witley in July until they were mobilised and sent to France landing in Boulogne September 11th 1915.

Albert Edward was wounded on the right temple sustaining a fractured skull and left France July 4th 1916 bound for England and was most probably hospitalised.

From October 21st 1916 until June 25th 1917 he was attached to the 3rd Battalion D.L.I. a depot training unit stationed in South Shields where it was deployed as part of the Tyne Garrison.

Albert Edward was transferred to the Royal Army Medical Corp April 4th 1918 as Private 143258 7th Training Battalion, receiving infantry rate of pay, for a period of 127 days until he underwent medical examination at the Chelsea Hospital where the Medical Board classified him as Class W. This classification was for all soldiers whose services were deemed to be more value to the country in civil rather than military employment although in certain circumstances they were liable to recall.

Albert Edward Winter was discharged under Kings Regulations 392(xvi), “on account of disabilities contracted”, and was on August 7th 1918 given the King’s certificate and silver badge, number 432880. September 17th 1918 his discharge was complete and he was awarded a weekly pension of 27s 6d from August 17th - September 3rd 1918 and thereafter 19/3 to be reviewed every 26 weeks.

He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Prior to his enlistment Albert Edward was a promising footballer in whom Sunderland football team had shown keen interest and offered a place, unfortunately due to his head wound and general health after the war this was no longer possible, he did however play for the amateur team Bishop Auckland and was part of the 1923 team that went to Spain to play Barcelona.

Albert Edward Winter died at Sedgefield Hospital December 29th 1955 leaving probate to his wife in the sum of £304 0s 7d. He was 60 years old.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.