Major A. J. de Winton
Major Arthur John de Winton died at his residence at Heathfield, Sussex, on May 29, at the age of 75.
A correspondent writes of him: - There must be many men in the Services and other walks of life who have heard with keen regret of the death of this "Mr. A. J." of the days of their youth and have recalled the happy and profitable time they spent under his fostering care.
He was one of the numerous band of preparatory schoolmasters who for more than two generations, have had a large share in laying the foundations of that character which upholds the British name all the world over and is the mainstay of our Empire.
Sprung of ancient stock on both sides, a blend of Wales and Northumbria, Major de Winton was fortunate in his parents; and who shall place a limit to the harvest of good upbringing?
Throughout his life he was true to the principles so lernt, and instilled them into the hundreds of boys who passed through his hands, teaching them the value of truth, honour, and fair dealing, the virtues of "playing the game."
Born in 1853, he was educated at Sherborne, and went up to Merton college, Oxford, with a post-mastership, and took honours in classics.
He began his educational career by serving as assistant master at Summerfield, the late Mrs. Macleran's well-known school near Oxford.
Thence, after a few years, he moved to Slough to set up a school of his own in partnership with Mr. C. Alington, and later with his younger brother, R. F. de Winton, the Oxford Rugby Football Blue.
Here he remained for 20 Years, and then migrated with his brother to Gore Court, Sittingbourne.
At Slough he joined the 2nd Bucks Volunteers, and became a very efficient rifle shot, although he had lost the sight of his right eye through an accident at school and shot from his left shoulder.
This military training enabled him, although 61 years of age, to join the 1st Brecknock Territorials in 1914, with whom he served at home for two years, and was then sent to France in command of a Labour Company with the rank of Major.
Here he did good service until the great German offensive in March 1918, when he and his company narrowly escaped capture, and the hasty retreat so affected his heart that he had to be invalided home.
After the war, being unmarried, he settled with his sister in Herefordshire, and for the last six years at Heathfield, Sussex, where he earned for himself a wide popularity with all classes by taking a prominent part in all local activities, church Councils, schools, British Legion, etc., where his genial presence, tact and knowledge of life made for harmony and progress in whatever was undertaken.
When he had to resign his duties owing to continued ill-health, he received the most gratifying assurance of the value placed on his services by all his fellow workers.
A loyal Churchman and staunch Conservative, possessed of a fine tenor voice and considerable dramatic ability, a good cricketer and a keen fisherman - whether in work or play he was always ready to give unstinted service.
Few men can have made and kept more friends.
|