Military History

Alfred is listed as being killed in action on 26th April 1918 during the 2nd Battle of Kemmel. The 3rd Battalion war diary entries for the period 25th to 27th April 1918, along with an obituary from the Stratford Herald are transcribed below.

Hoograff – 25^th Apr 1918 – 130pm: Battalion moved and reached place of assembly 27 C&D near Hoograaf Cabt at 6:30pm.

7pam: two patrols sent out under 2 Lt W.H. Parker MC & Lt G.H. Driffield To reconnoiter route to La Clytte and to report on position of our troops (if any) also position of enemy. These patrols brought back most useful information.

Capt E.O. Underhill now took command of Battalion. Maj R.F. ? to ‘B Team’.

8.30pm: Orders received to move to vicinity of La Clytte and wait there for orders. Hi

La Clytte - 26 Apr 1918 – 1.30am: Orders received that the battalion would counterattack the next morning in the direction of Kemmel village.

3am: Battalion commenced counterattack with A&D Coys in front, C Coy in support B Coy in reserve. Barrage very poor, country very difficult. First objective taken with practically no casualties. Leading companies reached second objective (Kemmel Village) but right flank held up owing to French not advancing.

7am: 7^th Inf Bde Came up on our left but fell back without our knowledge, leaving our left flank in the air. Being thus exposed to cross machine gunfire from both flanks the position was untenable and under cover of the mist the Brigade was withdrawn to the line of the railway behind Kemmelbeke stream where it proceeded to reorganise and dig in.

During the counter attack Seven officers became casualties [3 killed and 4 wounded].

Battalion held line of railway during the day. Shelling very heavy especially during the afternoon.

Kemmelbeke Railway – 27 Apr 1918: In still holding line of railway, shelling still heavy. Night of 27^th/28^th battalion relieved by the 8th Border Regiment, 75th Infantry Brigade and moved to H.3.i.C, Battalion in 25th Divisional support. 

Stratford Herald - Friday 31st May 1918 - KILLED IN ACTION - PRIVATE A. E. WINSPEAR

Notification has been received of the death in action on April 26th of Alfred Edwin (Teddy) Winspear, eldest son of Mrs. Winspear of 28 Evesham Road at the early age of 19. Having served four years in Messrs. Flower & Sons offices.

Private Winspear was called to the colours on February 22nd 1917 and was attached to the Queen’s Own Oxfordshire Hussars as a signaller. He completed his training in Ireland, qualifying for a first class certificate. On reaching France he was transferred to the Worcesters and had only seen a week’s service with them when he was killed.

Lieutenant Pertwee of the Oxfordshire Hussars writes to his widowed mother “Your boy was universally liked and he always had a bright smile for everybody. I remember that I asked him to come into the signals because he always seemed so keen and intelligent. I only wish there were more like him.”

Private Powell the deceased’s chum has written a sympathetic letter to his mother in which he tells her that Teddy’s death was instantaneous, a bullet passing right through his head.