Early Life.
Alfred Vintner was born on the 24th November 1885 at Old Warden, Bedfordshire.
His father, Frederick Vintner, married his mother, Fanny Nottingham on the 29th May 1880 at Biggleswade. They had six sons all born at Old Warden who were Frederick William born 1881, Harry born in 1883, Alfred, Herbert John born in 1889 (Acting Bombardier 37175 Royal Horse Artillery suffered a gunshot wound in a leg July 1915 leg amputated), Leonard born in 1897 (Private 85860 Liverpool Regiment) and Maurice Bernard born in 1900.
During the 1891 census the family were living at near the Tunnel, Mount Pleasant, Old Warden, Biggleswade and Frederick senior was employed as an agricultural labourer. At the time of the 1901 census they were still living at the same place and Frederick senior was now a railway labourer.
In the 1911 census still living at the same location Frederick senior was now described as a railway plate layer. However, Alfred had left home and joined the Army.
Early Army Service.
His Army Service Record has not survived but from other sources we know he enlisted on the 8th May 1908 as Private 13739 in the Grenadier Guards signing up for short service of three years in the Colours and nine in the Reserves.
During the 1911 census Private Alfred Vintner 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards, age 25 born at Old Warden was living at Blenheim Barracks, Aldershot.
He went into the Army Reserve on the 8th May 1911 and applied to join the Police straight away.
Police Service.
His Police Service Record has not survived but from other sources we know that he started his Probationary Training at ‘E’ Division Hitchin on the 29th June 1911. All training was carried out on Divisions as opposed to Headquarters at that time. He was appointed as Police Constable 56 on the 1st September 1911 remaining in ‘E’ Division.
Assault On Police.
Published on the 4th January 1913 in the Hertford Mercury:
Assault on the Police. At the Petty Sessions on Tuesday George Tomlin, of Queen Street, Hitchin, was charged on remand with assaulting PC Godfrey and PC Vintner whilst in the execution of their duty on December 24. After hearing the evidence defendant was sentenced to two months hard labour.
Published on the 13th September 1913 in the Hertford Mercury.
Railway Prosecution. At the Hitchin Petty Sessions on Tuesday nine respectable youths belonging to Hitchin were prosecuted by the Midland Railway Company for wilfully trespassing on their line at Hitchin on August 10. The defendants all pleaded guilty. Mr Passingham, solicitor, Hitchin prosecuting on behalf of the Company, said the offence was punishable by a fine not exceeding £10. The Company did not press for a heavy penalty, but only desired to stop the practice and protect their property. The offence was committed on a Sunday, when no trains were running, but that did not alter the fact that it was against the law. Evidence having been given by PC Morris (Midland Railway Police) and PC Vintner (of the Herts Constabulary), one of the defendants raised the point that they were summoned for wilful trespass, whereas they had trespassed in ignorance. The Clerk pointed out that under the General Railways Act no offence of wilful trespass had been committed, as the defendants had not been warned. Persons must be warned and if they did not obey the warning then an offence was committed. Mr Passingham asked for the summonses to be amended. The Bench considered the point in private and on returning into court the Chairman announced that owing to a slight technical error they had decided to let the defendants go, but at the same time they wished them to understand an offence had been committed and if they were brought there again they would be severely dealt with. They would be discharged with a caution.
General Order 118 of 21st July 1915 is a list of 96 officers which included the Chief Constable, 43 Constables who were Army reservists who were recalled and 50 Constables and 2 Sergeants who volunteered for military service. Alfred is shown as PC 56 Vintner A. E Division recalled to the 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards on the 4th August 1914.
Army Service During The War.
His Medal Roll Index Cards, Medal Rolls and a Silver War Badge transcript show that he landed in France on 26th July 1915 with the 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards.
Alfred married Dora Keziah Phillips in 1915 at Hitchin and they had two children Susan Dora born in 1916 at Hitchin and Alfred Frederick born in 1918 at Hitchin.
On the 17th September 1916 Private 13739 A. Vintner No. 3 Company, 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards was at No. 34 Casualty Clearing Station with a gunshot wound to his left thigh and left knee and he was transferred to No.4 Ambulance Train.
Published on the 7th October 1916 in the Hertford Mercury:
Private A. Vintner, Grenadier Guards, formerly a Police Constable stationed at Hitchin and Letchworth, wounded.
On the 15th October 1916 Private 13739 A. Vintner Grenadier Guards was listed as wounded on the Casualty List issued by the War Office. He was entitled to wear a Wound Stripe as authorised under Army Order 204 of 6th July 1916. The terms of this award having been met by him being named in this list.
He was discharged from the Reserve Battalion, Grenadier Guards on the 3rd May 1917. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals and a Silver War Badge number 236004 on 27th August 1917.
Life After The War.
The records have not survived but it is known that Alfred left the Police on 5th May 1917 on a Medical Pension being no longer fit enough for Police duties.
The Electoral Rolls of 1919 to 1924 list Alfred and Dora as living at 4, Kings Road, Hitchin and the 1925 to 1930 Electoral Rolls list them as living at 12, Woolgrove Road, Hitchin. Alfred is shown alone in 1930 as Dora had died in 1929 at Hitchin.
In the 1939 Register Alfred is listed alone as still living at 12, Woolgrove Road, Hitchin and is employed as a Bookmaker’s Clerk.
Alfred Vintner of 12, Woolgrove Road, Hitchin died on the 10th November 1947.
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