William Winders

Lancashire-born ‘Billy’ Winders played for the Northern Casuals team in 1914 and 1915, went to war, and played for them again in 1920 and 1921. He was one of the finest left backs in Western Australia. Sapper Winders survived the war relatively unscathed, although he was court-martialed for falling asleep at a listening post known as “J” at 2.45am on 28 October 1916 and again for falling asleep on duty. He spent 11 days in confinement awaiting trial and was sentenced to 90 days field punishment, which was later commuted to 60 days. William Winders returned to Lancashire in the early 1920s and married Esther Riley in January 1924. The married couple returned to Australia soon after. On 13 August 1938 Adelaide’s Mail reported: “Collapsed On Roof Of Motor – William James Winders, bus proprietor, of South road, Keswick, collapsed and died on the roof of his bus in front of the Adelaide Railway Station tonight. Winders had returned to the station with a picnic party, and was unloading luggage from the roof, when he collapsed. He was rushed to the Adelaide Hospital in a police ambulance, but was dead on arrival. The body was taken to the City Morgue. A report is being prepared for the City Coroner by Constable Jukes.” He was 49 years of age.