Peter Winter was born in Adelaide in 1945 and educated at Adelaide Boys' High School and Roseworthy Agricultural College. He was called up for National Service in 1965 in the 'first ballot', and selected for Scheyville, the Officer Training Unit near Windsor, New South Wales. He graduated as a second lieutenant and was posted to the Infantry Centre at Ingleburn, in preparation for the Vietnam War. Peter remained in the army until 1986 when, having reached the rank of major, he resigned. He settled with his family in the Adelaide Hills, where he still lives, and worked in the timber and clothing industries. He is now employed at the Woodside Primary School, where is role is to liaise with and support Defence Force families in the school community.