L/Cpl. Lewis George Winstone
British Army 4th Btn. Grenadier Guards
from:Eastcombe, Gloucestershire
(d.30th March 1945)
From a letter Lewis Winstone wrote to his mother in 1942:-
Arriving at Barracks from leave I was told I was one of the very few men who had been chosen from this Battalion to go up to Windsor Castle for the celebration of Princess Elizabeth;s birthday, and to represent the Battalion. When the parade presented arms to the Royal Family, and the massed band played the National Anthem, it sent a shudder through us.
This is the first time for a long period that a Princess has been Colonel of the Grenadier Guards. After the National Anthem we were inspected by the Princess Elizabeth and her parents. The King wore the uniform of the Grenadier Guards. After the inspection we had a march past in review order, the Princess taking the salute.
In the evening I went to the BBC variety concert in one of the great halls of the Castle, also attended by the Royal Family and many distinguished guests.
The best moment of all was when the King and Queen were walking out, and I happened to be sitting about three quarters of the way back and at the end of the nearest gangway, and for the first time in my life I had a few words with their Majesties. What made them stop and speak to me I don't know. Since then I have been I have hardly kept my hat on!
From the Battalion war diary for 30th March 1945:-
Coesfield was very heavily cratered, so No's 1 & 3 squadrons found a way round. No.1 Squadron advanced 25 miles & halted just East of Millenbeck. L/Corporal L Winstone (Recce Troop) was killed by spandau fire while climbing out of a bazooka'd Honey tank.
