The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (VX5188) Lance Corporal John Henry Winter, 2/6th Battalion, AIF, Second World War.

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Craig Berelle, the story for this day was on (VX5188) Lance Corporal John Henry Winter, 2/6th Battalion, AIF, Second World War.

VX5188 Lance Corporal John Henry Winter, 2/6th Battalion, AIF
KIA 3 January 1941

Story delivered 2 December 2017

Today we remember and pay tribute to Lance Corporal John Henry Winter.

John Winter was born on 19 December 1910 to William and Jessie Winter of Geelong West, Victoria. He grew up here, and attended the nearby Ashby State School, where he was known for his sporting ability. He played two seasons of senior football for Geelong West Football Club.

In 1933 Winter married Ellen Gladys Blain and over the following six years the couple welcomed six children into their family. Around the time of his marriage, Winter began working at the Ford Motor Factory near his home in Geelong West.

Winter enlisted for service in the Second Australian Imperial Force in November 1939, soon after the outbreak of the Second World War. After arriving at Puckapunyal for training at the end of the month, he was initially posted to the 2/7th Battalion, but transferred in December to the 2/6th Battalion.

After several months of training, the 6th Division prepared to depart for overseas service.

The only blemish on Winter’s service record occurred on 27 March, when he was absent without leave for three days. With the sixth of his children having recently been born, Winter went home to spend time with his family. On returning to his unit, he was fined three days’ pay and confined to barracks for the same amount of time.

Winter embarked from Melbourne with the 2/6th Battalion in mid-April and landed in Kantara a month later. The battalion spent the remainder of the year training in Palestine and Egypt.

In September a large Italian force crossed the Libyan border and began advancing into Egypt. After a British counter-attack in early December, the Italians were thrown back into Libya. In order to maintain the momentum of the advance, the Australian 6th Division was sent into the line for the first time, near the Italian-held fortress of Bardia.

After a series of night-time patrols gained intelligence about the town, the 2/6th Battalion was given the task of mounting a diversionary attack, drawing attention away from the 16th Brigade’s main effort to capture Bardia.
The attack began in the early hours of the 3rd of January. The 2/6th Battalion quickly broke into the Italian positions, but resistance was fierce and there were heavy casualties.

Bardia fell to the 16th Brigade the following afternoon, but where the diversionary attack had been launched, fighting continued until the following morning.

The attack cost the 6th Division 130 men killed and a further 326 wounded. The Italians suffered over 1,700 killed and 3,700 wounded. Nearly 40,000 Italians were taken prisoner of war.

Among the dead was Lance Corporal John Winter, who had been killed during the first day of fighting.

After the battle, he was laid to rest in the Halfaya Sollum War Cemetery. He was 30 years old.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my left, among almost 40,000 Australians who died while serving in the Second World War

This is but one of the many stories of service and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Lance Corporal John Henry Winter, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Michael Kelly
Historian, Military History Section