Berrows Worcester Journal 5th October 1918

 

“Died of wounds. Colonel Winnington DSO.”

 

Mrs Winnington received on Friday a telegram from the War Office stating that her husband LT. Col. J F S Winnington DSO died of wounds on September 22nd. He had recently been in command of a Battalion of the Northamptonshire Regiment. He was the son of the late Captain Taylor Winnington of Martley, a cousin of Sir Francis Winnington of Stanford Court and a relative of the Bishop of London. He married Miss Joyce Marriage of Woodhall, Norton, and NR Worcester. He had long experience of the Worcestershire Regiment, joining the 1st Battalion in 1897 but on the South African War breaking out he transferred to the Dublin Fusiliers with whom he served at Ladysmith, Pieter’s Hill and Spion Kop. After the relief of Ladysmith he was transferred to the 2nd Worcesters at Bloemfontein and he was invalided home with enteric and dysentery. He was then attached to the 3rd Battalion. Subsequently he served as adjutant of the 5th Battalion for four years at Norton Barracks. Next he went to Egypt in 1911 as adjutant of 1st Battalion.

Upon war being declared against Germany the Battalion was recalled home and proceeded to France. It was whilst serving with it at Neuve Chapelle that he won the DSO. He showed conspicuous gallantry and ability. He commanded the two leading companies in several attacks and subsequently commanded the Battalion. He showed great foresight in anticipating the desires of the Brigade Commander in regard to the advance of other troops at a time when orders could not be conveyed to them. Being invalided with frost bitten feet he spent some time in Worcester and during his convalescence he gave highly appreciative instruction to the local Volunteers in Company Drill. When he left the city to join the 4th Battalion at the Dardanelles, the Volunteers made him a presentation. His health again being undermined by dysentery he returned home again in October. He was given his Brevet Colonelcy in the 1915 Birthday Honours List for his distinguished work at the Dardanelles. Early in December he was appointed Recruiting Officer in charge of the Broad Street Office Worcester until recruiting was placed under the Minister of National Service and he had this appointment until the time came for him to take the field once more.

He had the qualities to make him a singularly effective leader. When engaged in Worcestershire in administration and organisation work he was exceptionally successful largely because he showed a nice tact and perfect courtesy in his relations with others.

John Watts