Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
John Winter, one of seven children, all of whom survived, was the eldest of 5 brothers and 2 sisters. His father Francis Winter was born at Shotton, County Durham, April 13th 1865 and married during the 2nd quarter (Apr/May/June) 1889, Isabel Hindmoor born March 17th 1865, native of Brancepeth, County Durham. In 1891 they were living at 59, Liddle Street, Cornsay Colliery, where Francis was employed as a colliery labourer and John was born during the latter part of the 2nd quarter (April/May.Jun) that year. In search of work Francis and his family moved several times over the next ten years. Daughter Margaret was born at Cornsay in 1892, Thomas June 20th 1894 at Usher Moor, Alexander at Broom December 23rd 1895 and Mary Ellen at Hebburn July 1st 1899, however, they had returned to 404, Broompark, Broom the following year and later to Hedley Hope where Francis Jnr known as Frank was born August 3rd 1901 and William in 1907.
Listed as a widow in the census of 1911, living at 28, Dragon Villa, near Durham, Isabel was supported by her elder sons John (21) employed as a coal miner/hewer, Thomas (17) a putter and Alexander (15) a pony driver, to increment the family income they had taken into their home as a boarder, widower Joseph Close. She remarried in 1915 in the district of Lanchester to John T. Watson.
John Winter enlisted at Durham in answer to the call that went out upon the commencement of war with Germany, August 4th 1914. He was assigned as Driver 45106 to the Royal Field Artillery and posted to the 67th Brigade, Small Arms Ammunition Column, dedicated military vehicles carrying artillery and small arms ammunition for the servicemen in the front line to which the column belonged. He departed to France September 19th 1915 and was ordered with the R.F.A. to Salonika in November 1915 as of the 17th but it was not until February 13th 1916 that the entire 27th Division, to which they were attached, was at full strength. Between September 30th-October 2nd 1916 they were engaged in the Capture of Karajakois and also Yenikoi before participating during the Battle of Tumblitza Farm. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Homondos until, in mid-1918, some of the units returned to France.
Driver 45106 John Winter Royal Field Artillery is listed as, “dead,” April 7th 1918 without any explanation as to the cause. He is at rest at Salonika (Langada Road) Military Cemetery, Greece, grave 1390, 2 kilometres north of the town of Thessaloniki. The town during WW1 was the base of the British Salonika Force, also of several general and stationary hospitals and the cemetery was extended after the Armistice when graves were brought in from other cemeteries in Macedonia, Albania and the island of Thasos. John was 27 years of age and single.
His mother Isabel as his sole legitimate beneficiary received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Isabel Watson-Winter nee Hindmoor died in 1932 aged 68 years and was buried alongside her first husband at Esh Winning, County Durham.
Francis and Isabel’s daughter Margaret Winter married James Ashurst born September 23rd 1890, at St, Stephen’s, Willington, October 15th 1910, with whom she had 3 children, Arthur 1913-1968, Thomas 1918 and Jenny 1919-1969. Margaret Ashurst nee Winter died April 18th 1924 at Willington, aged 32 years, James in 1953.
Thomas Winter would have been eligible for war service, however, no record has been found. he was married at Wolsingham, August 2nd 1919 to Ethel Marwood born 1894 at Wolsingham, County Durham, with whom he had 4 children Olive Musson nee Winter 1920-1972, Francis John 1922-1974, Harry 1929-2000 and Audrey 1931-1992.
Alexander Winter served during WW1 as Gunner 283707 Royal Field Artillery. He was married April 9th 1917 at St Cuthbert’s Satley, County Durham, to Florence M. Brown and had 3 children, Thomas 1918-1969, Margaret Ellen 1920-2010 and Harold 1925-2001. After the death of his wife in 1930 he remarried at St. Paul’s Church, Waterhouses, County Durham in 1934 to Mildred Bradwell born February 21st 1906, with whom he had a further 4 children Derek 1935-1997, Alexander 1938-1996, Keith 1940-1940 and Christine Mary Winter 1949-living. In 1939 they were living at 18, Post Office Row, East Hedley Hope, Alexander and son Harold was employed at the colliery. Alexander Winter died November 3rd 1954 aged 58 years, his wife Mildred aged 71 years, December 11th 1977.
Mary Ellen Winter married coal miner Hugh Hawley in 1920, their son John Hawley was born January 1st 1931. In 1939 they were living at Chapel Street, Crook, County Durham. Mary Ellen Hawley nee Winter died in 1959 aged 59 years, Hugh died aged 70 years in 1969, there son John died in 1987 aged 56 years.
Frank Winter was married at Alverstoke, Hampshire in 1927 to Doris Tibbetts of Gosport, Hampshire, born October 27th 1908. Son Reginald P. H. Winter born 1931 died in 1932, Tony E. 1932-1972, Sheila 1943 and Davis 1944-1994. In 1939 they were living at Pump Lane, Gosport, where Frank was employed as a stockman. Francis Winter died aged 57 years in 1958, Doris Winter nee Tibbetts in 1970 aged 61 years, both registered in the county of Hampshire.
William Winter was married in the district of Lanchester in 1928 to Ellen Garner born, September 29th 1908 in County Durham. Their son Clifford born May 28th 1929 died in 1998, Derek April 26th 1934 died 2004 and Iris in 1946.- living. William died in 1982 aged 76 years, Ellen Winter nee Garner died aged 85 years in 1994, all registered in County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In peace.
John Winter is remembered at Satley on S116.01 and at Tow Law on T57.01
