Harry Wincott

Alfred James Walden (1 January 1867 – 20 April 1947), known professionally as Harry Wincott, was an English songwriter.

Biography He was born in Lambeth, London, the eldest child of Charlotte and Alfred Walden, a coach builder. He started work as a clerk but began writing songs and aged 16 sold one of his songs to music hall performer Alfred Vance, "The Great Vance". Eventually he became successful selling other songs to well-known singers including Vesta Tilley. Wincott composed songs for artists such as: Dan Leno, Marie Lloyd, Charles Austin, The Great Vance, Vesta Tilley, Florrie Forde, Harry Champion and Kate Carney. Possibly his most well-known song is "The Little Shirt My Mother Made For Me", sung by Tom Wooton and subsequently recorded by the country singer Marty Robbins among others. He made relatively little money from his songs, as he sold the rights cheaply.

He died of gangrene of the legs in Yeovil in 1947, aged 80. He had been admitted to the local public assistance institution a couple of weeks previously, there being no spare bed at the local hospital. One of his last requests to his wife was for a pint of beer.