Winterbourne, George

Survivors ?	Crew List
Was There A Survivor	HMS Defence Crew List

Narrative	Source	Newspaper Article
ROMANCE OF JUTLAND BATTLE -- MIDDIE'S LAST MESSAGE-"TELL FATHER WE'RE WINNING." A strange story was told at Westmin- ster Police Court recently by a young man who gave the name of George Win- terbourne, and declared that he was a survivor from H.M.S. Defence, which was sunk at the Battle of Jutland, but from which, according to tie official reports, there were no survivors. Winterbourne, who was charged with being a deserter from service, asserted that after the Defence sank he was in the water for hours, supported by an air belt, and was picked up unconscious by a col lier, which afterwards landed him near Newcastle. Since then, he said, he had wandered about the country, living on money - some £20 - which he had in his belt at the time of the disaster. Mr. Horace Smith directed a police in- spector to take Winterbourne to the Ad- miralty for his story to be investigated. When the inspector returned with the accused, he gave the Court further par- ticulars. The man's memory, he said seemed to be defective, but he had given some corroborative details. He stated that he had been transferred to the De- fence just before the Jutland fight, and that when the sea, after the ship had sunk, a midshipman with an arm blown off, gave his name and his last message- "If you get through, Jack, tell father we are winning." The authorities ascertained by reference to the casualty list that there was a mid- shipman on board of the name given, by the defendant. They were so satisfied that they desired him to be sent to Ports- mouth. Mr. Horace Smith made an order to this effect, and later in the day, Winter- bourne, who appeared to be dazed, as if from shock, a certificate from Dr. Dyer, of Brixton Prison, being to that effect, was taken to Portsmouth by an officer.	The Advertiser, Adelaide, Friday, February 16,1917. Page 11

Narrative	Source	Newspaper Article
A JUTLAND ROMANCE. SOLE SURVIVOR OF DEFENCE. Wounded Middie’s Last Message. An extraordinary story was told at West- minster Police-court yesterday when George Winterbourne, who was wearing a Naval uniform, was charged on remand with being an absentee. The man appeared greatly dazed. According the evidence. Winterbourne stated that was a survivor from H.M.S. Defence at the battle of Jutland. The official report was that there were no sur- vivors, but defendant asserted that after the ship was blown up he was the water for hours, supported by air-belt, and was picked up, unconscious, by a collier, which subsequently landed him near New- castle. Since then had wandered about the country, living on money—some £20— which he had on him in his belt at the time of the disaster. Mr. Horace Smith directed Inspector Emptage take the prisoner to the Ad- miralty for his story to investigated. The inspector returned with the sailor and gave the Court further particulars. The man stated that he had only just been transferred the Defence before the naval action. When in the sea after the ex- plosion a Midshipman with an arm blown off gave his name and his last message: "If you get through. Jack, tell father we are winning.” The authorities ascertained by reference to the casualty list that there was Midshipman on board of the name given by accused. They were so far satis- fied that they desired the defendant detained and sent Portsmouth. Mr. Horace Smith made an order to this effect, and, later in the day, Winterboume, who appeared to be dazed, as if from shock, certificate from Dr. Dyer, of Brixton Prison, being that effect, was taken to Portsmouth by an officer.	Portsmouth Evening News - Saturday 02 December 1916 Page 3

Similar newspaper articles to these were published worldwide. The newspapers are listed below for information.
Newspaper	Date	Page	Title(s)
Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail	Saturday 02 December 1916	3	SURVIVOR OF H.M.S. DEFENCE. Turns Up Six Months After Jutland
Berks and Oxon Advertiser	Friday 08 December 1916	3	SURVIVOR OF H.M.S. DEFENCE Naval Stoker's Extraordinary Story
The Halesworth Times and East Suffolk Advertiser	Tuesday 12 December 1916	2	SURVIVOR OF H.M.S. DEFENCE Naval Stoker's Extraordinary Story
London Daily News	Saturday 02 December 1916	1	BATTLE OF JUTLAND SURVIVOR. Extraordinary Story of a Naval Stoker