The Fallen of Harlow in WW1: Montagu Winch: 1892-1916

History / Fri 22nd Feb 2019 at 05:36pm

THE SHORT life of Harlow resident Montague Winch, read out by Rita Tomlin.

This project has been brought to you by the Harlow Council Civic Fund and HTS Ltd.

Never Forget.

Montague’s parents were Frederick Winch, born in Harlow in c.1853 and Edith Wood, born in North Weald in c.1853.

They married in early 1871 and Montague Jones Winch was born in Harlow in 1892.

The 1901 census recorded Montague living in Hastingwood Villas, Harlow aged eight. He was residing with his widowed father Frederick, a bricklayer and his siblings Annie, Clara, Thomas, Walter, Margaret and Ethel.

The 1911 census shows Montague still to be living in Hastingwood Villas, near Harlow aged 18 with his widowed father Frederick and siblings. Montague was working as an assistant butcher.

Gunner Montague Jones Winch, 57749, enlisted at Hackney Baths on 1 November 1915. Montgue served with The 30th Siege Battery of The Royal Garrison Artillery. At the time of his enlistment his occupation was recorded as a painter. Montague was killed in action on 26 September 1917 aged 26 and is buried in The Menin Road South Military Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium. Plot 2, row H, grave 7. Register Index Number Bel.72.

2 Comments for The Fallen of Harlow in WW1: Montagu Winch: 1892-1916:

Colleen Morrison

2025-10-29 18:18:27

God bless you, Montague, Montie? You deserved much better than this. How do we honour you? By never forgetting you and millions like you, and by always fighting for our precious freedom and democracy, just as you did. One way to do that: by refusing to be reduced to one of a list of numbers, on a digital mass surveillance and control system on our smart phones, which it turns out is due to an EU diktat, that citizens of all member countries of the EU - and would be rejoining members? - must have these systems on their smart phones. By order of the anti-democratic EU Commission. In Flanders Fields By John McCrae In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.