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World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great 1914 1918 first battalion regiment
L/Cpl. James Whalley
British Army 12th Btn. The King's (Liverpool) Regiment
from:Aughton
(d.4th Sep 1916)
Ralph Whalley
British Army Machine Gun Corps
(d.4th Apr 1918)
Ralph Whalley served with the Machine Gun Corps and was killed on 4th April 1918. I am keen to hear any information or see any photographs from this battle, his records show he was shot in the head, his name is on a memorial in Pozeiers cemetery any other information would be greatly appreciated .
Pte. John William Whappshott
British Army 2nd Btn. Grenadier Guards
from:Send, Surrey
My grandad, Jack Whappshott was lucky - he was injured at Ypres on the first day of the battle. He had his arm shattered but it meant that his time in the war was over. His brother was not so lucky. He died a few days before his 16th birthday.
Pte. Walter Wharf
British Army 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry
served att No3 Entrenching Btn
Cpl. William Wharmby
British Army 3rd Btn. D Company Cheshire Regiment
from:Hyde, Cheshire
William Wharmby was born in 1895 in Hyde, he married May Walls on the 5th of Sep 1925 at Dukinfield. He was the father of Raymond and Enid Wharmby
Enid has told us of her father and how deeply affected he was by his experiences of WW1, although he never talked about his time served. Having served in the trenches in France the conditions are believed to be the cause of the Rheumatoid Arthritis that troubled him immensely for the rest of his life to the point of him taking his own life by means of gassing with a fireside gas poker. At the age of just 12 years, Enid was the unfortunate discoverer of this tragedy at the family home, 38 Cross Street, Hyde. We know he was also injured by shrapnel the cause of a scar that can be seen on his right cheek.
Wishing to uncover some detail of William’s time in the army in WW1, searches I had done on genealogical websites gave all but 1 image, his Medal Rolls Index Card. Enlistment and quite detailed pension records exist for such soldiers but none could be found for William. It is known that during the London Blitz of WW2, the office holding these records was bombed and severely damaged, destroying some records and rendering many others undecipherable or damaged, these records became known as the “burnt records.” It is almost certain that this is the reason for not being able to find such records for William.
However, as time goes by and genealogy becomes more and more popular, the availability all kinds of records to further one’s genealogical research increases constantly. After several years of unsuccessful searches some of the “burnt records” from the indexes known as WO363 and WO364 (WO standing for War Office) have now been published and I have my first breakthrough on this missing chapter in my research. We know from William’s Medal Rolls Index Card that he initially served with the Cheshire regiment under the number 10489 and then later with the Essex Regiment under the number 60218. This is not necessarily exclusive as, to be exact, this card only details the regiment he was in at the point in time he earned the medals. As the number of casualties built and the sizes of battalions were decimated the army was forced to constantly “regroup” making it commonplace for soldiers who enlisted in their local regiment to end up serving for another in addition to the probable changes of battalion while remaining in the same regiment. The card also details that William first served in France from 29 November 1914. It is not clear as to Williams rank in the Essex Regiment, whether he retained the rank of Corporal from his time in the Cheshire regiment as one would expect, the addition of the Pte (Private) actually in the rank heading box adds to this uncertainty. The 15 to the left of “Star” indicates that he received the 1914-1915 Star which differentiates it from the 1914 Star, the latter being awarded to those who served in France and Flanders between 5 August 1914 and 22 November 1914, the former to those who served in France and Flanders from 23 November 1914 to 31 December 1915 plus anyone who served in any other operational theatre between 5 Aug 1914 and 31 December 1915. Those receiving either of these Stars also received both the Victory Medal and the British War Medal. The Victory Medal and the British War Medal are on one roll (another name for an individual section/collection of archive material) while the Star is on another.
From WO 363-4 papers that survived and were published online 2014 we now know that William first attended the Depot of the Cheshire Regiment on 8th April 1914 and was initially assigned as under company “H”. He was then given leave “Furlough” from the 8th to the 15th – I wonder if this was a standard practice for new recruits to enlist formally then to be give a few days at home with their families before their inevitable time in combat.
William was transferred on 16th August 2014 to Birkenhead under “F” company of the 3rd battalion of the Cheshire Regiment. Over the next few months he was promoted to Lance Corporal, Corporal and to “acting” Sergeant before being deployed on 28th November 1914 to join the Expeditionary force in France under “D” company. He was however listed as a private. (I do not know if this was a true demotion or whether his previous promotions were relative to William being a regular soldier amongst reservists as I believe the 3rd battalion was).
While quite rightly in memoriam we concentrate on those who gave their lives during the conflict, which includes a couple of William’s cousins Joseph Wharmby and Samuel Mottram Wharmby, I have a particular interest in those who survived but continued to suffer from the effects of their time in conflict.
Editor's Note: 3rd Battalion Cheshire Regiment was a training unit, it remained in UK throughout the war, providing drafts for other battalions. From the above it can be accertained that this was indeed a training unit and his move to D company may have been to another Battalion in the Cheshires. Subsequent move to the Essex Regiment may have as suggested been as a result of losses and regrouping but without the actual battalions involved it is difficult to be more specific. It was also common practice in training units for recruits to progress between companies as they developed skills, the qualified soldiers passing out from the advanced training company and temporary ranks were also given but usually to those thought capable of taking a similar post in their active service unit.
The hat in his photograph which seems to indicate operations away from the Western Front at some stage possibly Middle East. He also is still wearing the stripes of a Corporal. The addition of Pte to the top of the medal card indites that he was a Private when he qualified for the 1915 Star on date of entry into war theatre.
Lt. Wharrier
Army 8th Btn. Durham Light Infantry
Pte. Peter Wharry
British Army 13th Btn. Royal Fusiliers
from:Glasgow, Scotland
(d.24th October 1918)
Pte. David Lynn Wharton
British Army 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers
(d.23rd Apr 1915)
David Wharton died of wounds and is buried at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery
Pte. Edward Wharton
British Army 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers
from:Gateshead
Pte. Francis Wharton
British Army 18th Btn Manchester Regiment
from:Openshaw, Manchester
(d.12th Oct 1916)
Sadly I don't know anything about my Great Uncle Frank Wharton, other than he fought and died in the Battle of the Somme. I never knew him, but feel enormous pride - I don't want him to be forgotten. Thank you for the opportunity to add him to this site.
Pte. George Bertie Wharton
British Army 8th Btn. Norfolk Regimengt
from:The Wood, Swardeston, Norwich
(d.1st July 1916)
Just before my father died last year I found out through family history sites that his uncle George Wharton was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. My father was not aware of this, the family never having discussed it. I'm trying to find out more, but so far I know that he is memorialised in Thiepval. He was 21.
I'm proud to think that amongst my family of farm labourers there is a young lad that gave his life for this country. I was able to tell my dad before he died suddenly last year. I hope he was proud too.
Rfmn. Henry A Whatley
British Army 8th Battalion Kings Royal Rifles
from:Kingston St, Walworth, London
(d.15th Oct 1917)
Pte. William James Whatley
British Army 8th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers
(d.26th Sept 1916)
While researching my husband's family I came across the death of his uncle, William James Whatley, the eldest of five children, my husband's Nan's big brother. All the family including his wife and their children were born in South East London, off the Old Kent Road. I have no family photographs of his siblings or family.
There are no surviving records except the records of the Army Registers of Soldiers effects, Medals Role Index Card and International War Grave, Department de la Somme, Picardie, France (Thiepval). He left his wife Annie of nineteen years marriage and five children. He was a lithographic stone preparer working in the print trade. He was thirty six at the time of his death.
L/Cpl. Frederick George Whatling
British Army 1st/23rd Btn. C Coy. London Regiment
from:Acton, London
(d.10th November 1915)
Frederick Whatling was born in Walthamstow in 1893, son of John Arthur and Eunice Whatling. The 1911 census shows the family living at 1 Cowper Road, Acton, London; Frederick was an entering clerk.
He enlisted with the British Army in 1909 and at the time of his death was serving with C Company, 1st/23rd Battalion London Regiment. On the 10th November 1915 a shell landed on one of the billets occupied by C Company killing seven men outright, including Frederick, he was aged 23 years. He is buried in the Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, France and is remembered on the War Memorial, St Mary's Church, Acton, London.
Pte. Whatmough
British Army 9th Btn., D Coy King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
Pte B. Whayman
British Army 11th Btn Royal Scottish Fusiliers
(d.9th Sept 1918)
Pte. Charles Wheadon
British Army Machine Gun Corps
from:3 Leonard St., Banktop, Darlington
Pte. Charles Henry Wheals
British Army 14th Btn. Hampshire Regiment
from:Paddington, London
(d.1st Aug 1917)
Charles Wheals was killed in action on 1st of August 1917 during the Battle for Pilckem Ridge.
Pte. James Wheat
British Army 4th Battalion, D Company. Kings Royal Rifle Corps
from:Coventry
(d.6th Nov 1918)
James Wheat is my Great Uncle. He joined D Company 4th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps on 12th December 1914. I have no knowledge of his movements during the war. Having survived whatever the Great War threw at him over four years, he died aged just 24 and unmarried on 6th November 1918, just five days before the Armistice. I don't know where he fell, but he is buried in the British Cemetery, Premont, Anise, France (Grave III.B.12).
His elder brother, William, fought with the 9th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps. Again I have no knowledge of his movements during the war. He fell in action aged 27 on 21st March 1918, leaving behind his young wife, Sarah of 164, Station St. East, Coventry. He died on the first day of the so called Advance to Victory. His body was never found, but his name is commemorated on Panels 61 to 64 the Pozieres Memorial, Somme
They were the sons of James and Ellen Wheat, of 24, Princess St., Coventry.
James Wheat
British Army 9th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps
from:Coventry
(d.6th Nov 1918)
My Great Uncle, James Wheat from Coventry, was a soldier with 9th Battalion of King's Royal Rifle Regiment. Having joined up at the start of WW1 in 1914, he died on Wednesday 6th November 1918, just five days before the Armistice. He is buried in the Premont British Cemetery, Aisne.
What happened to this group of soldiers, I wonder, between being 'disbanded' in August and meeting their fate in November? What is the war story surrounding the Premont area at this time? Does anyone know and can help me?
Editor's note: Men from disbanded battalions were transferred to other battalions which were short of men. CWGC records James as serving with "D" Coy. 4th Bn, KRRC when he was killed.
Pte. William Wheat
British Army 9th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps
from:Coventry
(d.21st Mar 1918)
My Great Uncle, William Wheat, fought with the 9th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps. I have no knowledge of his movements during the war. He fell in action aged 27 on 21st March 1918, leaving behind his young wife and three children. He died on the first day of the so called Advance to Victory. His body was never found, but his name is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, Somme.
Wiliam's younger brother, James Wheat, also my Great Uncle, joined the King's Royal Rifle Corps on 12th December 1914. I have no knowledge of his movements during the war. Having survived whatever the Great War threw at him over four years, he died aged just 24 and unmarried on 6th November 1918, just five days before the Armistice. I don't know where he fell, but he is buried in the British Cemetery, Premont, Anise, France (Grave III.B.12).
Pte. Ernest Wheatcroft
British Army 10th Btn. Sherwood Foresters
from:Repton
Pte. Hosea Wheatcroft
British Army 17th Btn. Sherwood Foresters
from:Shirebrook, Derbyshire
(d.10th October 1916)
Pte. Albert Joseph Wheatland
British Army 11th Btn. Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment
from:Croydon, Surrey
(d.7th June 1917)
I discovered my Grand Uncle, Albert Joseph whilst researching my family history, and was very touched to find that he had served and died in WW1, enlisting at Clapham. Coming from a service background myself, and with an interest in both World Wars it means a lot to me and has started a further interest in the 11th Bn, Queens Royal West Surrey Regt. I am hoping now to find out more about the battle at Messines. I am also going to look out a couple of postcards from WW1 that possibly could have come from Albert. There are also a couple of old photographs, and because I have now found out what the cap badges of the Regiment looked like, it is possible, with the aid of a magnifying glass, that I can identify if Uncle Albert is in them.
F. G. Wheatley
British Army 10th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment
In my grandmother's book signed by friends, on one page it reads "F.G. Wheatley, late 10th Battalion, 19th Yorkshire Regiment, ('Green Howards'). Wounded at Loos September 26th 1915." It is written on 26th of January 1919. I know no more about him but thought it might be useful for someone else's research. He's drawn a coloured picture of Rushen Castle, Isle of Man.
Pte. Henry John Wheatley
British Army 3rd Btn. Wiltshire Regiment
from:Birmingham
My grandfather, Harry Wheatley, served in the Boer War as Private with the 4th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment Militia. Then with the 3rd Battalion Wiltshire Rgt. Reserve, in WW1. Born 1880, he died 1953 when he was murdered at the age of 73 yrs in Birmingham. I do not know anything about the 3rd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment. I know he was gassed somewhere and was downgraded in fitness and was transferred into the ASC Mechanical Transport in 1917. He landed in France in May 1915.
Pte. Henry Frank Victor Wheatley
British Army Middlesex Regiment
Victor Wheatley was my parental grandfather who died around 1940.
Pte. J. H. Wheatley
British Army 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers
from:Byker
J Wheatley was wounded in 1916
Rflmn. James William Wheatley
Rifle Brigade 10th Battalion
from:Grimsby
(d.9th Oct 1916)
James William Wheatley was my Grandad's brother, my great Uncle. The only thing I know about him is the fact that he died from his wounds on 9th Oct 1916, but unfortunately I don't know which battle he was in or what actually happened to him. He is buried in St Sever Cemetery, Rouen.
Pte. John George Wheatley
British Army Army Service Corps
from:Houghton Le Spring
Page 34 of 77
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