Peita Military Cemetery Malta
Thomas WINTON, He was born in 1868 at Broadwater, Sussex, son of Thomas and Maria, nee Swan. In 1881 he was living with his parents and siblings at Findon Post Office, Findon Street, Sussex. His father was the Sub Postmaster and general shop keeper. In 1911 now aged 43 living with his wife and family at 11 Tonsley Road, Wandsworth. He was employed as a clerk to an Engineering Department and a temporary army pensioner. His children were Frederick aged 14, Herbert aged 12, Constance aged 8 and Frank aged 4.
He was married Louisa Jane Hutchinson on the 13th January 1892 at Hindon parish church, Sussex and they had the following issues. Edward Ernest, born 14th October 1892 at Sheppey Registration District, Kent and died in Malta on the 31st July 1895. Frederick George born 26th December 1896, Herbert Richard born 8th November 1898, Constance Margaret born 20th July 1902 at Sheppey, Kent, and Frank Robert born 13th December 1906 at Sheppey, Kent.
Some notes from what remains of his army records.
He joined the army on the 18th February 1886 aged 18 years, occupation, painter and he lived with his parents and siblings at Findon Post Office. He had previously served with the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, Sussex Regiment.
He was posted to Brompton Barracks, Royal Engineers at Chatham as private 20764 on the 20th February 1886, then posted to Gosport, South Hampshire, on the 18th July 1887 back to Chatham on the 15th September 1887. Embarked for Hong King on the 21st December 1887 on H.M.S. Himalaya. He was posted back to Chatham, England on the 11th April 1891, then to Sheerness, Kent, on the 25th May 1891. Embarked on H.M.S. Himalaya bound for Malta on the 17th December 1893, disembarking at Valletta, Malta 26th December 1893 On the 4th September 1901 he was posted back to Sheerness, Kent.
Promotions and extended service.
1st August 1891 promoted to Corporal, extended his service to complete 12 years with the colours on the 14th February 1893. Promoted to Sergeant on the 1st July 1893. 1st July 1894 he re-engaged with the Royal Engineers to complete 21 years service with the colours whilst stationed at Malta as permanent staff. On the 1st January 1899 promoted to Staff Sergeant of Works and Company Storekeeper. Promoted as Quartermaster Sergeant on the 1st January 1905 as submarine and mining store keeper (In the 1870's, the RE took responsibility for the defence of the harbours by controlled mines. This was known as the Submarine Mining Service which remained with the RE until it was transferred to the Royal Navy in 1885. Engineer Companies in Malta in1905 were No 28 Coy, Submarine Mining and Militia Submarine Mining. Location, St Francis Barracks Floriana. This consisted of a small range of barracks partly on one, partly in two stories which was occupied by a company of the Royal Engineers. The rooms on the ground floor accommodated 45 men in each).
He was discharged for the army on the termination of his second period of engagement on the 17th February 1907.
WW1
He was recalled to the colours on the 17th September 1917and posted to the Royal Engineers Depot at Chatham as Sapper 303738. The following day he was promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant. He was demobilised on the 28th February 1920.
(Wills and Admin, Ancestry)
Thomas Winton of Glenmore, Findon, Sussex died 6th July 1954 at 16 Hill Barn Lane, Worthing. Probate, London, 11th September 1954 to Frederick George Winton, park attendant and Herbert Richard Winton, post office engineer His profession was given as Retired builders. book keeper and retired WO2 Royal Engineers.
Two of his brothers joined up.
Edward Joined the Royal West Kent Regiment aged 18 years on the 30th July 1892 as Private 3368, transferred to K Signals Royal Engineers as Sapper 26544, married Fanny Louisa Aslett at Findon on the 19th November 1902, and discharged on the 27th May 1913. On the 8th December 1915 he was recalled to the colours now aged 43 years and 1 month and mobilised on the 29th June 1918 as sapper 372834 into the Signals, Royal Engineers.
Ernest joined the Royal Army Medical Corps aged 25 years and 5 months as Private 12056 30th September 1898. He married Edith Milicent Osborn at Aldershot on the 28th July 1906. Left the army 14th December 1920 from his last post Colchester Military Hospital.
