Located on the chalk hills West of the Thames Valley village of Pangbourne. It was home to the Duncan Simonds family from 1947-2003.
Here are the property details advertised in 1947
The house was built during the first few years of the 20th century as these Ordnance Survey maps show and its cottage seems to pre-date it:
There is an historic aerial view from 1928 HERE.
The unique name stemmed from the family names of its early owners. John B Brine was the son of a G. P. The 1881 census shows him in Somerset, aged 25 and a Solicitor’s Articled Clerk, later probably a Judge. He married Edith Jane Murray in 1883. They had 2 daughters, Margaret Lorna born 1884 & Winifred Edith born 1887. Winifred, Lorna and Edith! Whence Winloed.
The house was bought in December 1912 by Sir George Armstrong, Bart. C.M.G. and his wife Lady Edith, as this clipping from the Times of 14/12/1912 relates.
Sir George saw distinguished service in the Royal Navy and was also an author and editor of ‘The Globe’ newspaper. He sold Winloed in 1937 to Sir William Wiseman who wanted to be away from London during the war years.
These are recollections by Elizabeth Mary Higgins who worked there, with thanks to her niece, Ann Delaney:
“On the 31st of November 1911, my Great Aunt Bess was in service to Sir George and Lady Armstrong at “Winloed”, Pangbourne. I can remember a story she told me about being woken late one night by pebbles being thrown against her window. Thinking it was one of the stable boys she called out “Go away” Only to hear a voice “Bessie, this is your master, come down and let me in. I need you to make my friend and I a cup of tea.” She did this but she first had to light the coal fire range to boil the kettle. She then took in the tea to her master and his friend Mr Churchill… (As he was then).
On another occasion The Prince of Wales (David as he was then known), who had been out for the evening, came to the kitchen door rather inebriated. The footman sobered him up by giving him raisins to eat which made him sick. He was then sobered up with coffee before he was allowed to go through the green baize door into the house.”
These two images show the changing South face, the first from about 1944 and the next about 1947. Note the growth of the creepers and the round window top right that has been opened up:
There followed a generation of modifications and improvements, with particular pride lavished on developing a colourful and varied garden.
