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2nd Lt Edward Maurice Winch, Rifle Brigade - 3 Weeks in the Trenches Before Being Killed
30/10/2023
First World War Army United Kingdom
By Grant Cornwell MBE (1)

France

Second Lieutenant Edward Maurice Winch
117237

2nd Lieutenant Edward Maurice Winch was the elder son of Mr and Mrs Frederick Winch, of Cranehurst, Cranbrook, Kent. He was educated at Yardley Court Preparatory School, Tonbridge and Aldenham school, and had completed one year at Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he proved to be an excellent athlete, winning one first prize and two seconds in the freshman's sports.

He was hit by a hand grenade on 6th March 1915 at Armentieres and was wounded so severely that he died in the 3rd General Hospital, Le Tréport on 25th March. He had been in the trenches less than 3 weeks. He was buried with full military honours at Le Tréport Military Cemetery, with his father present and about a hundred French soldiers attended, in addition to a detachment of British troops.

Edward was just 20 years old.

Edward at home before setting sail for France 1914 (copyright unknown)
Local newspaper obituary (copyright unknown)
Cranbrook Church War Memorial with Edward's name and his cousin who also lost his life in WW1 (copyright unknown)