Private 4868330 7th Bn. Leicestershire Regt.
Died Saturday 22nd July 1944 (Age 28)
At Rest: Taukkyan War Cemetery, Myanmar(Burma)
Grave Ref.: 13. J. 18.
Private Joseph William Henry Winfield, who originated from Jacksdale, was known to friends and family as ‘Harry’.
He was born 2nd Q 1916, the son of John and Mabel (nee Greasley) Winfield and husband to Kathleen Winfield of Brinsley, Nottinghamshire.
We have been in touch with Harry’s granddaughter who has kindly provided us with further information.
Harry served with the 7th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment which formed part of the ‘Chindits’. Harry died on Saturday 22nd July 1944, aged 28 years, when he played a significant part in an ambush on the Japanese at Kyunslai Pass in Central Burma. He was one of a small number of British casualties.
Harry’s Captain, R L (Polly) Perkins had the task of sending the sad news of Harry’s death to his wife, Kathleen.
Apparently Harry was seriously injured and was left with an Army Medical Officer who was going to transport Harry to a small nearby village. That was the last time he was seen alive. Harry was the recipient of several medals including the Burma Star.
Another WW2 veteran from Jacksdale, Thomas Morehen, served with Harry and has written an autobiography of his time during the Burma Campaign. He describes it as a “Hell of a place. Nothing but trees and silence”. It was during the Regiment’s time near Pungan that Harry was killed.
A memorial service was held in St Mary’s Church, Westwood on Sunday 5th November 1944 and we have a copy of the Order of Service. (Private Kenneth Shooter and Sgt Kenneth Ward were commemorated during the same service).
Harry’s name is listed on the Roll of Honour at Leicester Cathedral.
That is the only information we have to date, but the family would like to know more. If you can help, please contact us, using the ‘contact us’ option on the left hand menu of this web page.
