John Matthew WINCH

AIF Project

https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=329117

John Matthew WINCH

Regimental number 4306

Religion Church of England

Occupation Farmer

Address Kingscote, South Australia

Marital status Single

Age at embarkation 18

Next of kin Father, F H Winch, Hawkes Nest via Kingscote, South Australia

Enlistment date 24 August 1915

Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll 13 August 1915

Rank on enlistment Private

Unit name 10th Battalion, 13th Reinforcement

AWM Embarkation Roll number 23/27/4

Embarkation details Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A30 Borda on 11 January 1916

Rank from Nominal Roll Private

Unit from Nominal Roll 50th Battalion

Fate Effective abroad (still overseas)

National Archives Australia

Kangaroo Island Courier (Kingscote, SA : 1907 - 1951), Saturday 20 November 1915, page 2

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article189509490

FAREWELL BANQUET.

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-About 50 guests accepted the invitations issued by Mr and Mrs F. H. Winch for the banquet given at the Ozone Hotel, on the evening of the 11th inst., in honor of their eldest son, Pte. Jack Winch, who was short ly leaving for the front. The splendidly appointed tables in the spacious dining room, heavily laden with an abundance of delicacies, left nothing to be desired, and reflected credit on the management. The toast of ' The King' having been loyally honored, the Chairman (Mr J. Dewar), submitted the toast of ' Our Guest.' He felt sure he could say with confidence that all present had a warm spot in their hearts for Jack and felt proud that he was leaving to fight for his King and country. It seemed only the other day that he was a lad in knickers, but he was now a man that all could feel proud of. His parents could also feel proud of having a son of his stamp to represent them at the front, and in letting him go they were giving the best they had. Others who were well -to-do were hanging back and not assisting in any way, knowing that the flower of the country were going to risk their lives in defence of the Empire. He hoped to see a far bigger gathering very soon to wel come Jack home again. All were affected by the war, and many were sending their sons, and though it was hard to let them go they were in the Almighty's hands, and if He willed it they would return again. Jack was a good boy and would make a good soldier and he wished him God-speed and a safe return. Mr A. R. Campbell, said it gave him great and genuine pleasure to support the toast. He had known Jack since childhood and apart from the parents there was no one who felt hls going more than he did. Jack was follow ing the example of better men gone before, and was going under a flag that had held command for a thou sand years. Great Britain was com ing out victorious, and it was the men like those of the 3rd Battalion which Jack was joining, who were going to make victory sure. The British Navy was supreme and by its aid our boys would land safely where they were wanted to. It was gratifying to parents to know that their boys were safe when on the seas, and thanks to the Navy the choking grip on the throat of Germany would tell in the end. He wished Jaok a glorious career and a safe return. Mr H. Rofe was proud to bid Jack farewell. He was joining a battalion that had made a name for itself and its record was praised throughout the Empire. Wolfe's historical landing at Quebec was eclipsed by the Aus tralians, who were compelled to land under fire, whereas the others landed as a surprise. He was sure Jack would do his best to uphold the name of his battalion and wished him honor, success and a safe return. Cr. J. N. Davis felt honored to speak in farewell to a young man be had known for so many years, and it was nice to know their young friends were going to fight in a cause all had to uphold. He sympathised with the parents but they had cause to know that everyone was proud their son was going. He hoped Jack would make a name for himself and wished him God-speed and a safe return. Mr B. L. Barrett expressed pleasure at being present. Jack was leaving a good home and his parents were losing a good son, but it was in a worthy cause and he hoped he would return with honors. It seemed a pity that the best of the country had to go, but it was those who would see Great Britain through her trouble successfully, and when they returned the shirkers would have to take a back seat in all things. He hoped peace would come soon and that this would be the last occasion he would drink to tbe departure of a soldier. He hoped Jack was builet proof, or if not that he would dodge them. His own brother wrote cheerfully from the front and if Jaok did likewise it would help his parents a lot. He wished him success and safety in his effort to do his bit for his country. Otim Singh said he had known Jack for years and was proud that he was going to fight. There were a lot who were frightened to go, but all ought to. It would make men of them, and they would be helping themselves, their King and their country. He wished Jack every good fortune and hoped he would return a better man, if possible, than be is now. Mr W. H. Strawbridge said he had known Jack and his parents for years and they had many friends in the district. There had been many banquets in this room but never one to say farewell to a soldier, but he hoped many would be held to welcome sol diers at no far distant date. Great Britain was the greatest nation on earth and her soldiers and sailors were gallantly upholding the traditions of the nation. He hoped the day of peace was not far distant and that Jack would return safe and sound. Cr. V. H. F. Cook felt it an honor to say good-bye to Private Jack. He was a good lad and his parents were giving up a good deal in letting him go, but it was a sacrifice they should feel proud of. The Island had done its duty, but there were still many who could go ; they could bend their elbows to lift beer, but it would be more to their honor if they put the rifle before beer and do their bit for their country. The navy would see our soldiers safely to their destination and when there he was sure they would all do their duty nobly and weli. He wished Jack good-bye and hoped he would return soon safe in body and limb. Mr W. Burgess also expressed the pleasure he felt at being present to bid Jack farewell. He was always certain Jack would enlist sooner or later as there was too much British pluck in him to let him hang back when others were fighting. He wished him God-speed and an early return. M.C. Adamson said that though not British born he was proud to live in a British country and serve the King. He felt honored at being pre-sent to bid Pte. Winch farewell. It grieved parents to part with their sons but it helped them bear their grief if their sons were cheerful and hopeful. One of his three sons who were with the colours, said to his mother before leaving : ' Don't worry, mother, you will feel proud when we all return with V.C's.' He hoped Jack would return with it also. The toast was enthusiastically hon ored, and the staging of ' He's a Jolly Good Fellow,' and cheers followed. Pte. Winch, responding, thanked all for their kind remarks and emphasised the pleasure he felt at so many being present to bid him farewell. He hoped he would be able to live up to the name of those gone before and carry out his part with honor to Australia and the Island. Mr J. E. Bellamy proposed the toast of ' Our Boys at the Front.' He said it would require a more eloquent speaker than he to do justice to this toast. Through the length and breadth of the Empire they were being praised for the gallant way that on land and sea the men of the British Empire were fighting for their King. He asked all to join with him in a resolve to help everyone who had served at the front — both the British and the Australian Jacks. Tbe toast of ' Our Army and Navy' was ably submitted by Rev. S. Turton-Longman. He was hon ored, he said, at being asked to pro pose this toast. He had had the unique experience of serving in both services, and there was much to be said about them. The British Army was not the largest in the world, but it was the finest, and was led by gallant officers. All knew what the Navy meant to Great Britain. Those in power had known that war was im minent with Germany, and the late Lord Roberts once said, ' When the clock strikes woe betide the German fleet when it had to meet tbe British.' This had come true as the world knows. In proposing the toast of the Army and Navy he could only say, ' God bless them, they are splen did men.' He had not the pleasure of knowing Pte. Winch personally, but he was going in a splendid cause and he honored him for it. It was not only the men who had to bear the brunt of war : we must also think of the silent heroines at home. He wished Pte. Jack God-speed and a safe return covered with honors. Capt. Barry supported. Other toasts honored were ' The Host and Hostess,' proposed by Cr. J. Turner and supported by Cr. A. Daw and Mr W. Englebrecht, to which both Mr and Mrs Winch re sponded ; ' The Press,' proposed by Mr A. R. Campbell, and ' The Chair man,' by Mr R. L. Barrett. At the invitation of Mr Winch an adjournment was then made to the District Hali where proceedings were continued until the early hours of Friday. A pleasant programme of dancing was gone through, interspersed with supper and elocutionary items by Miss M, Winch.

Family

For sources and more details, click here

Descendants of :

Frederick Henry WINCH

Frederick Henry WINCH was born ABT 1865 and died 26 Aug 1918 in Parkside, SA. He married Alice Balfour BURTON 1893 in Victoria, Australia.

Other events in the life of Frederick Henry WINCH

Burial: West Terrace Cemetery

Occupation: BET 1907 & 1909, Proprietor Ozone Hotel, Kingscote

Residence: BEF Apr 1909, Hawks Nest KI, then 54 Hugh street. Hyde Park

Children of Frederick Henry WINCH and Alice Balfour BURTON:

i. Frederick Norman WINCH was born 1893 in Ballarat, Victoria and died 1894 in Ballarat, Victoria

ii. Ida Arihi WINCH was born 1894 in Stawell, Victoria and died 1937 in Clayton, Victoria

iii. John Matthew WINCH was born 1897 in Stawell, Victoria. He married Bertha Agnes NELSON 1921 in Victoria, Australia.

iv. Alice Amelia WINCH was born 18 Feb 1899 in New Parkside, SA

v. Thomas Herbert WINCH was born 27 Apr 1901 in North Norwood, SA

vi. Charlotte Kohinoor WINCH was born 14 Aug 1906 in Strathalbyn, SA

vii. Nellie Balfour WINCH was born 1909 in Chill?, Victoria

Last updated : 3 june 2021