Edward Marsh Winterbottom was born in Irlam, Lancashire on 25 May 1912 to Roland Hare Winterbottom (1882-1921) and Esther Marsh (1888-1978).

Edward’s father Roland was a surveyor for the local council and was killed in a car crash whilst travelling on the Liverpool Road with his brother (Norman Winterbottom) and their respective wives. Edward and Esther were “riding dickie” (a temporary rear seat on old cars) when they crashed into an oncoming HGV throwing them both onto the pavement. Roland received a “fractured skull and other injuries” and died shortly after.

From my understanding, Edward worked as a Sales Representative before joining the Royal Artillery in 1939.

In 1941, Edward married Joy Leslie Wilson (1913-2003) and would stay married to her until his death at age 74 at Chiltern Hospital in Great Missenden.