Born in Kintbury in 1798, William led riots which involved agricultural labourers and others from across Berkshire and beyond whose livelihoods were threatened by the introduction of threshing machines, the payment of low wages and workers' oppressive treatment. The contemporary vicar of Kintbury, the Rev. Fulwar Craven Fowle, pleaded for Winterbourne's life but to no avail. Unusually for a hanged person, William's body was returned to Kintbury and buried in the churchyard - though under the pseudonym of "William Smith".
Each year, the local Kintbury community comes together with trade unionists from the region to mark the day of execution. Speaking on behalf of Reading Trades Union Council as vice-president, Tanya Wills (chair of Unite Community BOB Branch) gave an oration (see embedded video), presenting William's actions in the context of today's hardships and oppressions. Alongside Tanya was Keith Jerrome, also of Unite Community, representing Reading Trades Union Council.
