Captain John Eric Wintle TD Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers
The Man John Eric Wintle (Jack) was born on Saturday 7th August 1914 (three days after the start of World War I and the day British troops first landed in France), in Kingston Upon Thames, London, son of Henry, a serving Soldier and Foreman Painter and Gladys Emily nee Collins, he had one brother Harry Douglas (1918-1990).
Following his education Jack became a Carpenter and Joiner working for the Metropolitan Water Board at Hampton, Richmond and the family lived at ‘Willowdene’ 45, Hampton Road.
On Saturday 18th July 1937 aged 22, he married Hilda Emilie Parker, who worked in the laboratories of H A Job Ltd of Hanworth. The Hanworth dairy was built by H A Job Ltd in 1931 and boasted an incredibly advanced bottling and pasteurisation plant. Within 3 years of opening, it was processing 5000 gallons of milk per day.
Their service was held in the Parish Church, Whitton and conducted by the Reverend W H Jones and was fully choral, with hymns ‘Lead Us Heavenly Father’ and ‘Love divine all love excelling’ being played. Jack’s brother Harry was best man. They had one child Christopher John born in 1941.
Following his education Jack became a Carpenter and Joiner working for the Metropolitan Water Board at Hampton, Richmond and the family lived at ‘Willowdene’ 45, Hampton Road.
On Saturday 18th July 1937 aged 22, he married Hilda Emilie Parker, who worked in the laboratories of H A Job Ltd of Hanworth. The Hanworth dairy was built by H A Job Ltd in 1931 and boasted an incredibly advanced bottling and pasteurisation plant. Within 3 years of opening, it was processing 5000 gallons of milk per day.
Their service was held in the Parish Church, Whitton and conducted by the Reverend W H Jones and was fully choral, with hymns ‘Lead Us Heavenly Father’ and ‘Love divine all love excelling’ being played. Jack’s brother Harry was best man. They had one child Christopher John born in 1941.
In 1938 Jack and Hilda lived at 51 Ashridge Way, Sunbury and with World War II imminent Jack enlisted into the Royal Artillery, Territorial Army with service number 1473140 and was embodied during 1939. Hilda then moved back to live with her parents at 32 Constance Road, Whitton. Jack was later transferred to the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers (REME) and saw service in North Africa and Italy during the war, being promoted through the ranks to Warrant Officer Class 2. He was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45 and in Army Order 93 of 13th October 1948 the Efficiency Medal ‘Territorial’.
On 6th September 1953 aged 39, Jack re-enlisted into the Territorial Army, REME and was Commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant with a new service number 431672. He was appointed as Lieutenant the same day on account of his previous Senor NCO service. He was promoted to Captain on 1st May 1967 aged 53 and in 1967 awarded the Efficiency Decoration ‘Territorial’ appearing in the London Gazette of 16th May 1967 and transferred into the newly formed Territorial Army and Volunteer Reserves the same month.
Jack was also a keen member of the British Red Cross (BRC) with No 6007 and awarded their named Badge of Honour. In 1957 an Executive Committee panel recommended that the Honorary Life Membership and Life Membership awards of the BRC should be abolished. In their place a Certificate of Honour and Badge was awarded in three grades to cover the varying degrees of service given. These awards were automatically to carry with them Life Membership to the British Red Cross.
Little detail is known of Eric’s later life except he and Hilda lived at 10 Roman Crescent, Swindon and that Hilda died in April 2000 in Swindon. Eric moved to Beacon Edge Nursing Home, Beacon Edge Penrith, Cumbria and died two years later, on 22nd February 2002 aged 87.
On 6th September 1953 aged 39, Jack re-enlisted into the Territorial Army, REME and was Commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant with a new service number 431672. He was appointed as Lieutenant the same day on account of his previous Senor NCO service. He was promoted to Captain on 1st May 1967 aged 53 and in 1967 awarded the Efficiency Decoration ‘Territorial’ appearing in the London Gazette of 16th May 1967 and transferred into the newly formed Territorial Army and Volunteer Reserves the same month.
Jack was also a keen member of the British Red Cross (BRC) with No 6007 and awarded their named Badge of Honour. In 1957 an Executive Committee panel recommended that the Honorary Life Membership and Life Membership awards of the BRC should be abolished. In their place a Certificate of Honour and Badge was awarded in three grades to cover the varying degrees of service given. These awards were automatically to carry with them Life Membership to the British Red Cross.
Little detail is known of Eric’s later life except he and Hilda lived at 10 Roman Crescent, Swindon and that Hilda died in April 2000 in Swindon. Eric moved to Beacon Edge Nursing Home, Beacon Edge Penrith, Cumbria and died two years later, on 22nd February 2002 aged 87.
The Story The medals awarded to John Eric Wintle (Jack) were acquired from E-Bay on 27th September 2022 and of interest because of the Efficiency Decoration and Efficiency Medal combination. There had not been any research undertaken and even the recipients first names were unknown.
Thanks to the rather unusual surname, the London Gazette quickly confirmed that J E Wintle has been Commissioned into the REME, all details matching those on his Efficiency Medal.
Once his full name, John Eric Wintle was established, Ancestry.UK revealed a lot of details including photographs and a newspaper cutting from a family tree, enabling a quite detailed biography to be pieced together.
Of interest, but overlooked in the acquisition, were the British Red Cross badges, including their numbered Badge of Honour, a prestigious award within the organisation presented to Jack.
A great group of medals and as always, fantastic to find pictures of the ‘man behind them’.
Thanks to the rather unusual surname, the London Gazette quickly confirmed that J E Wintle has been Commissioned into the REME, all details matching those on his Efficiency Medal.
Once his full name, John Eric Wintle was established, Ancestry.UK revealed a lot of details including photographs and a newspaper cutting from a family tree, enabling a quite detailed biography to be pieced together.
Of interest, but overlooked in the acquisition, were the British Red Cross badges, including their numbered Badge of Honour, a prestigious award within the organisation presented to Jack.
A great group of medals and as always, fantastic to find pictures of the ‘man behind them’.
Jack and Hilda's wedding
Medal Details
- 1939-45 Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Africa Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Italy Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded.
- Efficiency Decoration: 1967
- Efficiency Medal: 1473140. W.O.CL.2. J.E.WINTLE. R.E.M.E.
Page last updated 7 Nov 22
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