Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Henry was London born on the 30th August, 1906 to Daniel and Phoebe Winn who lived in Leyton, Essex, traditionally known to be a strong working-class area. During WWI many of the houses were damaged by bombing raids because of the proximity to the London Docks and also the rail yards at Temple Mills. Henry’s sisters included Phoebe, who came to live in South Australia, Rose and Betty who remained in London with their mother and brother Ernest.
Henry sought to better his prospects and, as a sixteen-year-old, became part of the ‘Barwell Boys’ scheme, (so named after the Liberal Premier Sir Henry Barwell) whereby young British teenage boys were brought to South Australia after WWI. The scheme began in the 1920s with the aim of apprenticing the young British boys to local farmers. This was in an attempt to alleviate the shortage of workers particularly in agriculture. More than 1440 boys were part of the scheme, which also was designed to help alleviate the high level of unemployment in England. Each boy was apprenticed for three years. Having arrived on the ship ‘Benalla’ on the 6th August, 1923, Henry was one of 52 boys who arrived on that ship, who were then taken to the former Destitute Asylum in Kintore Avenue which was renamed as the Immigration Depot, before being allocated to farmers within two days of arriving. The cultural shock for some of the boys, especially in far-flung rural areas was huge. Local papers of the day, including the ‘Observer and Register carried a photo of ‘Another Batch of Barwell Boys’ dressed in suits and a tie. Henry is in the back row and it is obvious why his nick-name was ‘Lofty’.
The Critic newspaper commented that ‘Fifty odd young immigrants arrived by the "Benalla" last week. They are a fine, intelligent type of boy, who should do well on the land, which is the avocation "Barwell Boys" intend pursuing.’ The News also reported on their journey ‘ARRIVAL OF THE BENALLA. With more than 450 passengers, of whom 81 were for Adelaide (including 52 Barwell boys), the P. & O. Branch Service liner Benalla was berthed at the Outer Harbor shortly before 8 o'clock this morning. She came from London by way of the Cape of Good Hope. The weather was favorable until reaching Cape Town. After that, continuous storms, with breaking seas and cold conditions, made the voyage unpleasant. From Cape Town the Benalla ran southeast to latitude 37.40, instead of 40 deg. south as usual. The vessel disembarked more than 200 passengers at Fremantle. After discharging her Adelaide cargo the Benalla will continue her voyage to the eastern States at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning.’
The News also managed to interview some of the ‘boys’ on the ship with Henry. ‘Barwell boys are pleased. Not only with a smooth voyage, plenty to eat, and heaps of fun, but also with Adelaide. As the latest batch of 52 young farmers brought out under Sir Henry Barwell’s scheme stepped off the Outer Harbor train this morning there were no cheering crowds, no waving flags, no ceremony. But they were satisfied. "Not a bad little place," said one as he gazed round the station. "It'll do me." No more needed to be said. The sentiment was there. They are all enthusiasts. Hurried impressions gathered from them as they lined up showed that they think Australia a farmer's paradise. Although a few have only just left school it is the agricultural work that is attracting them. "From what I can see," said one, "if there are any fortunes to be made for us they are on the land. England is all right. But there is not the same opportunities there.. There’s plenty of space here, so they say, and that's all we want.’
A Mr Sedgwick was in charge of the party as welfare officer. He was quoted as saying ‘"They're a fine lot". "They've developed wonderfully on the voyage, and are in the pink of condition. The food and attention on the boat built the boys up, just as did the rest of the passengers. "The boys have come from all over England." added Mr. Sedgewick, "and most of them have had a little experience in the agricultural line. The party includes boys from London, Wales, and Scotland. Many are from Glasgow, Cardiff, and Shetland. Although they are so well-developed, they are not old. The eldest is 18 today. (Henry was still over three weeks away from turning 17.) ‘They are just at a right age to be taught. They have been most enthusiastic about the prospects on the way out, and are looking forward eagerly to seeing what Australia is like. Australian authorities don't realise what interest the boys take in those left in England. Whereas a grown-up might scribble a postcard home, these boys write letters of from 15 to 20 pages, telling everything in detail. Some include the menu they have. It is a wonderful way to advertise this country.’ Mr Sedgwick continued; "Have the boys a right of selection of farmers to whom they will go?" "So far as possible it is done. For instance, boys who want to take up dairying are placed with dairy farmers. On the way out I compiled a list with each boy's special qualifications, and this is handed to the immigration officers. Everything is done to give each boy satisfaction." Immediately after arrival the farm apprentices were escorted to the Immigration Depot at Kintore Avenue, North terrace, where the roll was called. Some, farmers desirous of making a personal selection were already there. By tomorrow many lads will be speeding away to take up their new work. An official welcome will be extended to them tonight at tea.’
It is difficult to imagine the cultural and environmental challenges must have been huge for Henry and his fellow teenagers.
With the outbreak of WWII, a concerted push was made to encourage single young men to volunteer. Just after his 35th birthday, on the 5th July 1941, Henry enlisted at Wayville, becoming SX13573 and allocated to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. He had been living in the Adelaide suburb of Eastwood, as had his sister Phoebe. Henry’s basic training was at the Wayville Showgrounds and the nearby parklands. After three weeks of field training at Woodside and pre-embarkation leave, he left on a second long sea voyage, this time for the Middle East.
The 2/48th Battalion’s first orders were to hold Tobruk for two months, however this stretched out to defending the fortress for eight months. Tobruk was typified by dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment which provided a continuous challenge to new enlistees. They were to become the famed Rats of Tobruk. Rations were very basic with bully beef, biscuits, tea, milk and sugar being the basics and extras including jam being shared sparingly, but extras from home were always a welcome addition. Henry’s good friend, Scottish born George Crawford, had enlisted the year prior to Henry but both served in the 2/48th Battalion. Both men rose to the rank of Corporal.
Henry and his battalion returned in preparation for the second battle of El Alamein which began on October 23rd’42 By then, conditions were ever-changing and the fighting continuous. Mongomery had ordered the 9th Battalion to attack northward. This included an all-out attack on the strategically positioned Trig 29. The evening was described by John Glenn in ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ as ‘an occasional burst from a machine gun disturbed the night of 24th October. Nevertheless, it was a busy time for the tired men. Little or no sleep could be had. A hot meal sent forward after dark was quickly swallowed. There was no time for yarning. Defences had to be improved, more digging and wiring done and patrols sent out.’ He later added that ‘the 2/48th had stirred up a real hornets’ nest.’ On that night alone 9 of the Battalion were killed and 20 wounded in action. Of these 16 were from South Australia and the remainder from Western Australia.
Glenn described the conditions where ‘arrangements were made for ‘mines, wire ammunition, food, water, overhead cover, sandbags, tools, anti-tank guns, and all the rest, and holding the present position while preparing to launch another attack. And while all this was being done, the battalion was subjected to murderous fire from artillery and mortars. It says much for the battle-drill of the battalion and supporting arms that everything worked out smoothly, going off without a hitch.
‘The suddenness of this attack when it came, and the devastation caused by the artillery fire, created tremendous confusion in the enemy lines, leaving them no option but to make every effort to locate out exact position and try to seal off the penetration. Patrols of both sides were active; a number of clashes occurred in No Man’s Land. In the early hours of the morning a strong enemy patrol, led by a German officer, approached the left flank of D Company; there they came under the fire of Pat Hoare’s Bren gun. The officer soon fell, whereupon the patrol withdrew, carrying their wounded.’
‘At last light on the same front some three hundred enemy troops attacked, and D Company area was swept by small arms fire.’ Glenn explains they were ‘running into particularly stiff opposition to the west of the Trig point. It was only after hard fighting, with heavy casualties on both sides, that they were able to consolidate on their objective.
Gradually the platoon, small in number to start with, was being whittled away and those remaining were being forced to go to ground.’ The intense conditions and loss of life meant that it was almost impossible to accurately document the time of death of each soldier. Similarly, it was also challenging for their fellow soldiers to safely remove their bodies immediately. However, this was done and the men buried in the field.
Kenneth Slessor the Official War Correspondent wrote an article which was reproduced in a number of newspapers. Referring to the outstanding work of the 2/48th Battalion he wrote: ‘Within one week, in the last great battle of El Alamein, two men of the 2/48th Battalion won the Victoria. Cross. Sgt. Bill Kibby, VC, and Pte. Percy Gratwick, VC, lie under the sand in soldiers’ graves today. Australia is far away over the rim of the world, and no one comes near the wooden crosses painted with their names except the wandering Bedouin and the little lizards of the desert.
‘But their battalion is rich in its pride and in its memories. They will never be forgotten. From the stories of their mates, those reluctant-tongued soldiers who fixed bayonets with them in the great offensive which drove Rommel from Egypt, come portraits of these two men in action which no other source could furnish.’
Having served for just over two years, Henry was killed at some time over the 25th and 26th October, 1942, aged 36. Back home, the Chronicle announced Henry’s death on the 3rd December ’42 along with Frank Hale SX7700 from Laura. 22-year-old Frank was killed on the 31st October. Others killed in battle with Henry included ‘Sgt. Alfred Francis E'en Meyer of Renmark, SX8468 Pte. Patrick H. Hoare. 2/48th North Broken Hill (NSW); SX13570 Pte. Charles Holman, 2/48th Broken Hill; SX7771 Pte. Henry O. Lohmann, 2/48th Murray Bridge; SX6848 Cpt. Alfred F. Meyer. 2/48th Renmark: SX3149 Col. Arthur H. Peters. 2/48th Macclesfield; . SX11768 Pte. John R. Smith, 2/48th Wardang Island; SX13535 Pte. Allan L. Thessinger, 2/48th Jamestown.
Initially his fellow soldiers buried him in the field at Tel El Eisa before Henry was reburied at the El Alamein War Cemetery in January ’43 into his final resting place Plot 22 Row A Grave 7. He rests with others from the 2/48th Battalion including 40-year-old VC winner, WX10426 Private Percy Gratwick from Perth, SX6848 26-year-old Alf Meyer from Renmark, 40-year-old SX12924 Richard Speck from Blanchetown and 22-year-old Pte Harold Pearce SX2139 from Watervale. Others from the 2/13th who were killed at a similar time also rest with him. Henry’s family chose the inscription ‘No Man Could do more than give his life for King and Country’
When his 80-year-old mother, Phoebe died on the 25th November 1960 she was buried in St Mary the Virgin Churchyard in Essex. Her tombstone also carries Henry’s name and that he was ‘killed in action at El Alamein with the A.I.F. 1942 Aged 35, Resting where no shadows fall.’
Henry’s family and fellow soldiers from the 2/48th including George Crawford SX7587, Mick Salter SX8045 and Maurice Dinham VX80579, continued to remember their friend, Lofty, in the ensuing years.
Advertiser December 1942, WINN. —To the memory of our dear friend, A/Cpl. Harry Winn. Too far away your grave to see, But not too far to think of thee. —Ever remembered by his pal, George Crawford (A.I.F., abroad), Amy and children. WINN. Henry. Pte.—Tribute of love and honor to our dear uncle. "Lofty” who was killed in action. Egypt. Oct. 25- 26. He died that we might live. —Remembered by Maurice. A.I.F. Tony and Ruth Dinham. WINN. —Loving tribute in memory of my dear brother Henry, killed in action in Egypt. Oct. 25-26. Another Barwell boy to die for Australia. — Sadly missed by his sister Phoebe and brother-in-law Chas
Advertiser Monday 25 October 1943, WINN. Henry. —ln loving memory of my dear brother Lofty and all his pals who died at El Alamein. Their duly nobly done. —Sadly missed by Phoebe and all at Eastwood. WINN. Henry. —ln loving memory of my dear son killed in action. Memory is a golden chain that links us till we meet again. Longed for always by mum and all at home In England. WINN. Henry. —ln loving memory of our dear brother, killed in action. Resting in a soldier’s grave honored with Australia's brave. —Ever remembered by his sisters Rose and Hetty, in England. WINN. —In sad but proud memory of my uncle Lofty, who was killed in action at El Alamein. Oct., 1942. Far away from his homeland and loved ones. his comrades laid him to rest. —Ruth. WINN, A/Cpl. Harry. —Killed In action El Alamein. Oct. 25-26. 1942. Beneath a little white cross of sacrifice he peacefully sleeps in a soldier’s grave Ever remembered by his sister Phoebe and Chas. WINN. —In proud memory of dear Lofty who made the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein 1942. Loving uncle of Maurice. AIF and Tony. R.A.N. In silence we remember. A token of remembrance to the boys of A Coy. who gave their lives at El Alamein. The song is ended, but the memory will always remain. —lnserted by Mick Salter. A Coy. In memory of my pals. Ptes. L. C. Cutchie. F.J. Pearce. and H. (Lofty) Winn who were killed at El Alamein. — Inserted by Pte. Mick Salter. A tribute to the memory of my driver pals who were killed in action at El Alamein. Oct. 25. 1942. Also a token of remembrance to Arnie Watts, killed Sep. I.—inserted by Roy Whitford. A tribute of honor to the men who made the supreme sacrifice in 1942. Greater sacrifice can no man make (St. John, 15-13).—Inserted by W. P. Munday and family, Cowell
Advertiser Wednesday 25 October 1944, WINN. A/Cp. Harry. 2/48th Batt. —ln loving memory of my dear son killed in action, El Alamein. October 25-26. 1942. "In the midst of life we are In death." Some day we shall understand. —Mum, England. WINN. A/Cpl. Henry ‘Lofty’. —ln proud memory of my brother and his mates. Pits. L. G. Cutchie and F. J. Pearce. and the boys of A Coy., who gave their lives at El Alamein October 25-26. 1942.—Ernest, Middle East. WINN. —In loving memory of my dear brother Harry. 2/48th Batt. killed in action. El Alamein. October 25-26. 1942. Not a day do I forget you, in my heart you are always near, those who loved you sadly miss you as it dawns another year. —Sister Phoebe. WINN. —In loving memory of our dear brother Harry, who made the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein October 25-26. 1942. Deep in our hearts a memory is kept of one we loved and will never forget. —Rose and Betty. England. WINN, Lofty. —ln proud memory of Henry, who died at El Alamein October 25-26, 1942. All he hoped for and all he had he gave. There Is no greater sacrifice. —Chas. WINN.—In proud memory of my uncle, "Lofty," 2/48th Batt, killed In action. El Alamein. October 25-26. 1942. Beneath a little white cross of sacrifice he peacefully sleeps In a soldier's grave. — WINN (Lofty). —ln loving memory of our dear Uncle Harry. Time goes by but memories stay as dear and near as yesterday. —Always remembered by Maurice, A.I.F. and Tony. R.A.N.R. A token of remembrance to my pals of 2/48th Batt. killed in action at El Alamein between October 23 and 31. 1942. "At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them."—lnserted by Pte. Frank Lowe. late A Coy.
Advertiser Thursday 25 October 1945, WINN. Henry. —ln loving memory of our son and brother, who died defending us. We hoped for his safe return. One of the best. —Longed for always by Mum. Rose, Hetty and Ernest. K.R.R.C, England. WINN—In loving memory of my brother. "Lofty." and his fallen pals of the 2/48th Batt, killed in action. El Alamein. October 25, 1942. —Sadly missed by Phoebe and Chas. WINN. —In loving memory of our Uncle Henry, who paid the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein October 25. 1942. May the sunshine he missed on life's highway be found in God's haven of rest. —Always remembered by Ruth. Tony. RAN, and Maurice, AIF.
Advertiser Friday 25 October 1946, WINN. A/Cpl. Henry (Lofty).—ln proud memory of my brother and his mates, Ptes. L. G. Cutchie and F. J. Pearce and the boys of A Coy. 2/48th Batt. who gave their lives at El Alamein, Oct. 25-26. 1942. In silence we remember. —Sister Phoebe and Chas. WINN ("Lofty").—In loving memory of our dear Uncle Henry, killed in action El Alamein, Oct. 25-26, 1942. Time goes by but memories stay as near and dear as yesterday. —Always remembered by Ruth, Maurice and Tony (R.A.N.R.).
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.