Robert Crenson Winter was born at Auckland Park 1895. His parents were John and Margaret (nee Forster). The couple had 4 children together all of whom survived childhood.

Father John was a coal miner/hewer. The family were living at Park Terrace, Counden according to 1911 census. Robert had a younger brother Joseph.

By 1911 the family had increased to include daughter, Florence and brother, John. They were living at 11 Frances Street, Seaham Harbour then. The older boys were now working. Robert as a coal miner/trapper whilst Joseph worked as a provision dealer’s errand boy. He was 13.

Robert enlisted on 14th July 1915. His records show him to be 5’5” tall and that his vision and physical development was good.

Robert seems to have joined the Northern Cyclists Division for a short while. His number was probably 329. However more information about him is available when he was posted to the Machine Gun Corps then later to 24/8th Company Tank Corps. He was now a sergeant with service number 78001.

He was posted to France on August 21st 1917 and was later wounded in action on 24th March 1918. He suffered a gunshot wound to his left leg and arm for which he was hospitalised.

He was sent home on April 4th 1918 then later transferred to Seaham Hall Auxiliary Hospital on June 3rd 1918. At the end of the month he was on furlough from 29th June 1918 until July 3rd 1918. It seems likely that he married his sweetheart, Ida Skerry at this time.

His injury entitled him to wear a wound stripe.

On July 15th 1918 he was improved enough to be posted to 24th/8th Company Tank Corps Depot. He dispersed at Catterick 26th December 1918 then demobilized the following January having served a total of 4 years 258 days.

Robert died at home on 31st March 1981. He left a sum of £29,005.

Robert’s younger brother, Joseph died of wounds on 26th July 1917 and is buried near Le Treport.

Robert Winter is remembered at Dawdon on D41.06