Private J. WINKLE
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Personal: The 1911 Census (RG 14/21264) has a “Joseph Winkle“, born on 26th January 1895 in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, living with his cousin at Higher Bibbington, Dove Holes, near Buxton.
This man, pictured right, would seem to have survived until his death in the March quarter 1952, having married Leah Hollinrake in the September quarter 1919 and they had 5 children. There is no “J. Winkle” named on the Doveholes War Memorial.
Other than him there are no other men who could be the casualty referred to living in the Buxton area.
Military Service: There are no obvious records on the CWGC Database or on SDGW database. There are three casualties named “J. Winkle” on the CWGC database, one from Stoke (John, NOT Joseph – see above) and one from Wrexham – the other has no home address listed.
None on the SDGW database has any obvious connection to Buxton, nor did anyone of that name die in the Buxton area in the period prior to the foundation of the War Memorial.
There are 11 Medal Index Cards bearing a name who could be “J. Winkle“. Without more information it is not possible to identify with which Regiment he served.
However, ‘Joseph Winkle’ – as named above, served as Corporal 240820 (i.e. NOT Private as recorded on Memorials), 2/6th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters Regiment, enlisting on the 14th October 1914 and being discharged on the 30th January 1918, 
suffering from wounds received in action.
He was awarded the Silver War Badge, No. 323833 having suffered “Gun shot wounds, right arm, back and face“. The 2/6th Battalion were based in Buxton for much of its training.
Pensions Records confirm that this soldier was living in Higher Bibbington, Dove Holes, and born in 1895. The 1939 Register has Joseph still living in Dove Holes, with his son, also Joseph, born in 1921. It could be that Joseph’s name was put forward, mistakenly, by someone who thought he had died from his wounds – but the only conclusion would seem to be that this “Pt. J. Winkle” survived the War.
Another option is Private 230986 James Winkle, M.M., Kings Shropshire Light Infantry, who died on the 2nd September 1918. He enlisted in the Cheshire Yeomanry and was posted to Egypt in early 1917. However, he grew up in Congleton, Cheshire, before marrying Martha Bebb in the December quarter 1916, in Oswestry, Shropshire. After the War CWGC Records show her living at “Avondale,” Holyhead Road, Chirk, Wrexham, Denbighshire. Again, no link can be made with the Buxton area.
