WINTERBURN, Martin Henry

Rank: 
Gunner (Acting Lance Bombardier)
Unit / Base: 
6 Commando
Regiment/Corps: 
Lincolnshire Regiment and Royal Artillery
Service: 
Army
Number: 
4801255
Born: 
Sunday, August 6, 1916
Died : 
Wednesday, February 27, 1991
Martin Winterburn MM 6 Commando
Gunner Martin Winterburn, No.6 Commando 1 Troop, from Lincolnshire, was awarded the Military Medal [1] in recognition of gallant and distinguished service during his escape after he was taken prisoner of war at Mateur, Tunis, on Thursday 19 December 1942. He had been wounded in the elbow at the time. Initially imprisoned in Italy, he was transferred to POW Camps including Stalag V111B at  Lamsdorf and Blechhammer. His final escape was on 25 June 1944 from a working party at Oppeln in Germany. [2]
  • 4801255 Cpl. M.H. Winterburn, Lincolnshire Regt., was Mentioned in Despatches for distinguished service in connection with operations in the field March-June, 1940 [3]. Post war emigrated to Australia and served as a Sergeant with "D" Coy., lst Bn. Royal Australian Regiment in Korea. [4]. Later promoted Company Sergeant Major (s/n. 25542) [5].
  • By 1975 he was living in the Brisbane area [6]. Martin Winterburn died on 27 February 1991 and is remembered at Albany Creek Memorial Park, Queensland.
Sources
[1] London Gazette 36961, page1186.
[2] National Archives file WO373/63/183.
[2] Escape evasion reports included above.
[3] London Gazette 35030, page 7186.
[4] Commando Association newsletter 15 issued Sept. 1952.
[5] + [Image] Australian War Memorial online archive images.
[6] Commando Association newsletter 61 issued Sept. 1975.
 
Notes
  • His Commando Service Certificate in Gallery shows rank in Commandos as Lance Bombardier.
  • His date of birth is taken from the National Archives escape evasion report @ [2] above. It also shows his Service in the Army began on 24 October 1934. However the plaque at the Memorial Park is at odds with this date of birth as it shows he died aged 72 . One explanation could be that he lied about his age to make him older in order to enlist into the Army.
  • His brother Walter may also have served in No.6 Cdo. (report in the Grimsby Daily Telegraph 22 Jan 1943, p1.)

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