Charles Francis Winter

Born in Montréal on 3 February 1863, Charles Francis Winter was the eldest of eight children. In 1867, the family moved to Prescott, Ontario, where Winter’s father worked for the railroad.

At 17, Winter sailed to England, determined to enlist in the British Army. He first served with the 7th Royal Fusiliers in London, but in July 1882 joined the Military Foot Police in Egypt. He was disappointed with the role assigned to him. As driver in charge of a transport cart, he could see the battle raging in the distance, but was never on the front lines. For his service in Egypt, he received the Egypt Medal with Tel-el-Kebir clasp and the Khedive’s Star.

In early 1883, Winter left the British Army. He settled in Ottawa, where he worked in a variety of positions for the federal government. His soldering days were not over, however. On 15 September 1883, he enlisted in the Governor General’s Foot Guards and served in the Northwest Campaign of 1885. He was present at the relief of Battleford, and although being severely wounded by a bullet to the face at the Battle of Cut Knife Hill, he continued to serve to the end of that campaign.

In 1887, Winter married Helen Wilkins with whom he raised three sons and five daughters. In 1889, he was promoted to lieutenant with the Foot Guards and, in December 1896, was appointed Adjutant, a position he held until April 1906. When war broke out in South Africa, Winter volunteered, seeing action several times in mid-1900. For his service, he received the Queen’s South Africa Medal with clasps for Johannesburg, Orange Free State, and Cape Colony.

In 1907, Winter retired from the Militia, accepting an appointment in the Permanent Force. In 1912, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and served in Bermuda, St. Lucia, and Canada during the First World War. He ended his military career in 1921, with the rank of brigadier. In later years, Winter became a well-known lecturer and author. In 1935, he received the King’s Jubilee Medal, and two years later, a medal commemorating the Coronation of George VI. He died in Ottawa on 20 October 1946, and is buried at Beechwood Cemetery.

Two months before his death, Winter attended a parade on Parliament Hill for Field-Marshal Bernard Montgomery. Despite the crowd, “Monty” noticed Winter’s campaign medals, gripped his hand, and said, “Sir, you were fighting before I was born, and I am very proud to meet you.”

Source – Unattributed write up in electronic museum display.