Pte
Arthur Winn
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1896 |
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Place of birth: Helston, Cornwall, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Profession: Assistant Outfitter |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 290394 |
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Enlistment place: Helston, Cornwall, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Devonshire Regiment, 2nd Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 16/08/1917 |
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Place of death: Zonnebeke Redoubt, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 21 |
Memorial
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Tyne Cot Memorial Panel: 40 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 2
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place |
My story
Private Arthur Winn, a 21-year-old outfitter’s assistant from Helston, Cornwall, was killed on the 16th August 1917. He served with the 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment, part of the 23rd Brigade, of the 8th Division. Arthur fell during what would become known as the Battle of Langemarck, a phase of the Battle of Passchendaele.
The 2nd Devonshire were involved in an attack between Westhoek and the Ypres-Roulers Railway. The attack started at zero hour, 4.45 a.m. with the Devons in a supporting role to the West Yorkshires and 2nd Middlesex. Good progress was made and all the major strongpoints had been captured by 6 a.m. including the Zonnebeke Redoubt. However, the 2nd Middlesex had fallen behind as they struggled against German machine-gun fire from the railway. This lead to the Devonshires becoming very vulnerable on the flanks and by 9.30 they had to withdraw from the Zonnebeke redoubt.
The 2nd Devonshire took up positions just east of Hannebeek wood but by 4 p.m. increased German counter-attacks forced them to withdraw to Hannebeek Wood. The line in the wood was held until nightfall when the decision was made to withdraw back to the starting positions, as the new frontline had no tactical advantage.
Private Arthur Winn was killed in action on 16 August 1917, during the 2nd Devonshire attack on Zonnebeke Redoubt. Arthur has no known grave and is therefore remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial of the missing.
The 2nd Devonshire were involved in an attack between Westhoek and the Ypres-Roulers Railway. The attack started at zero hour, 4.45 a.m. with the Devons in a supporting role to the West Yorkshires and 2nd Middlesex. Good progress was made and all the major strongpoints had been captured by 6 a.m. including the Zonnebeke Redoubt. However, the 2nd Middlesex had fallen behind as they struggled against German machine-gun fire from the railway. This lead to the Devonshires becoming very vulnerable on the flanks and by 9.30 they had to withdraw from the Zonnebeke redoubt.
The 2nd Devonshire took up positions just east of Hannebeek wood but by 4 p.m. increased German counter-attacks forced them to withdraw to Hannebeek Wood. The line in the wood was held until nightfall when the decision was made to withdraw back to the starting positions, as the new frontline had no tactical advantage.
Private Arthur Winn was killed in action on 16 August 1917, during the 2nd Devonshire attack on Zonnebeke Redoubt. Arthur has no known grave and is therefore remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial of the missing.
Sources 5
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"Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account", McCarthy C., London, Uniform, 2018, pg. 51-53. Sources used |
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Ancestry https://www.ancestry.com/ Further reference |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/875447/winn,-arthur/ Sources used |
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The Long, Long Trail https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/ Sources used |
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War Diary Devonshire Regiment, 2nd Bn. http://www.nmarchive.com/ Further reference |