Name
Maurice Alfred George Winch (MM)
1895
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
23/04/1917
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
13045
Bedfordshire Regiment
4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Military Medal
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ARRAS MEMORIAL
Bay 5
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Codicote Village Memorial, Peace Memorial Hall, Codicote
Pre War
Maurice Alfred George Winch was born in 1895 in Codicote to William and Minnie Winch (nee Ansell) of 20 Council Cottages, Codicote, Herts, and baptised at St Giles, Codicote on 31 March 1895.
On the 1901 Census, the family were living at New Street, Codicote where his father was working as a Stock Man on a Farm. They remained in Codicote in 1911 and Maurice was then working as a milk boy on a farm. A report in The Hertfordshire Express confirmed his pre-war employment as a milkman, working for the late Mr. H. R. Franklin of Eling Lodge.
His parents later lived at 20, Council Cottages, Codicote, Herts.
Wartime Service
Maurice enlisted in Codicote in September 1914 and was reported to be among the first batch of young men to leave the village for training. He was reported as wounded in November 1914 whilst serving with the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment but medal index cards indicate that he did not serve in France until 24 March 1915.
He was home for a few days leave in December 1915, arriving on the 21st and returning on January 7th, re was reported as being in excellent heath.
A local newspaper article following his death stated that he had been wounded three times: over the right eye at Hill 60, in the right arm while trench digging, and below the elbow in Delville Wood. He also developed trench fever. In 1915 he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery on the field.
He was home on leave for ten days in December 1916 before going back to France in January 1917, this was possibly when he was transferred to the 4th Battalion.
The Hertfordshire Express reported on 2nd of June 1917 that Mr and Mrs Winch had received official news from the War Office that Maurice "was missing after an engagement on April 23".
A subsequent article in the same newspaper confirms on 20th of February 1918 that "Mrs William Winch received an official communication which stated that no further news having been received regarding her son, Corporal Maurice Winch, Beds. Regiment, the Army Council regretfully concluded that his death took place on April 23, 1917." The article goes on to say that "By a coincidence, he returned to France on January 23, 1917, was reported missing on April 23, 1917, and the official notice of his presumed death was received on January 23, 1918."
He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.
Additional Information
His mother received a war gratuity of £13 and pay owing of £7 14s 9d. A pension card exists with his mother as dependant but gives no indication of the amount of pension received. Her address was then given as High Street, Codicote.
Acknowledgments
Derry Warners, Brenda Palmer
Brenda Palmer, June Colegrove, Roll-of-Honour.com
