ALFRED’S parents were Frank Winch, born in Harlow in 1859 and Eliza Wollin, born in Great Parndon in 1862. Frank and Eliza married in Harlow in the summer of 1889. Alfred Winch was born in Harlow in 1894.

The 1911 census shows Alfred living in Netteswell Common with his parents who had been married for twenty-one years and his siblings Mabel, Frederick and Herbert. Frank was working as a bricklayer while Alfred was listed as unemployed.

Lance Corporal Alfred Winch, 23932, enlisted in Epping and joined the 3nd Battalion of the Essex Regiment. The Battalion arrived in France in March 1916 and were involved with the attack at Beaument Hamel at the start of the Battle of the Somme on 1st July 1916.

Alfred James Winch was killed in action on 1 July 1916, aged 22. Alfred was one of over 19,200 other British soldiers killed in action on the first day of The Battle of the Somme. Alfred is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, France. Pier 10, face D. Register Index Number MR21