Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

From the CWGC site
WHITTAKER, WILLIAM JAMES

Rank:
Private
Service No:
15369
Date of Death:
27/06/1916
Age:
22
Regiment/Service:
The King's (Liverpool Regiment)

"B" Coy. 17th Bn.
Grave Reference
II. K. 5.
Cemetery
CERISY-GAILLY MILITARY CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Wiliam J. and Agnes R. Whittaker, of 46, Earlsfield Rd., Wavertree, Liverpool.

99 years ago tonight our cousin, William James Whittaker was with his mates from "B" Company 17th Battalion The Kings (Liverpool regiment) in the trench systems near Maricourt on the Somme. William was just 22 years old and hailed from Earlsfield Road Wavertree Liverpool, before the war he worked in the accounts department of the Cunard Steamship Company, he enlisted with the 'Liverpool' Pals at the outbreak of war. during the night there was a German bombardment on the lines, 17 men were killed 57 wounded. William was one of those killed and is now buried at Cerisy-Gailly Military Cemetery near the town of Albert. Rest Easy William, I promise to visit you again soon.

If anyone can help me fill in an gaps with William I would sincerely appreciate it, especially his life before the Army.

Thanks
Mick

Hi and welcome to the forum. Thank you for giving us this information and we'll try to help if we can.

In 1911 the family were living at 46 Earlsfield Road, Wavertree, all born Liverpool, except for mother Agnes. Father William James was 43, a postman, wife Agnes Russell Whittaker was 47 born Carlops, Peebles, William James 16 a Junior Clerk, Commercial, Archibald 15 an Electrical Engineer, Apprentice, Agnes Macfarlane Whittaker 13, Edith Emily 8 and Doris 6.

The parents had been married 17 years and 5 children born to them, all still living.

Unfortunately no industry was given for where young William was working.

His parents were married at St Nathaniel's, Edge Hill on 19 September, 1893
William James Whittaker 25 Bachelor Postman 122 Charlesworth Street
Father William Whittaker, Hairdresser
Agnes Russell Elward 30 Widow 122 Charlesworth Street
Father James Macfarlane - I think the occupation is Printer deceased
Witnesses were George Whittaker and Elvia Hope Gill.

There was a Roll of honour notice published in the Liverpool Echo 27th June 1918

Thank you so much Mary and Katie the information you have provided has helped immensely especially, as we did not know Agnes hailed from Carlops Peebles. Yet more research to be undertaken!

If I may trouble you a bit more with just a couple of more (daft) questions please?

If we move back 2 generations of William's (his father and Grandfather) who were both called William, we come to his great grandfather called Thomas. It is here I have hit a brick wall, I cannot find any trace of DOB or any info at all. Do you have any ideas which way I could turn to finding this information and progressing please?

Secondly, how do I obtain a copy of the roll of honour for the Liverpool Echo 27th June 1918?

Thank you
Mick

The Roll of honour notice was published on the anniversary of his death. The Liverpool Echo is on Microfilm at Liverpool Archives. Transcription below

27th June 1918

WHITTAKER-In loving memory of Private W. J. Whittaker, K.L.R., killed in action, June 27 1916, the beloved eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Whittaker, Earlsfield Road, Wavertree; Sadly missed by Father, Mother, Brother (in France) and sisters.

WHITTAKER-In loving memory of Private W. J. Whittaker, K.L.R., killed in action, June 27 1916. (Not gone from memory, nor from love) His loving fiancée Margaret.

There may also be more published 1917 and also a notification of his death but I have not done 1916 yet. I am only up to April 1917. I did look in my newspaper indexes no image of him.

Notification of his death appears in The Liverpool Echo 12th July 1916.

Thank you Katie, A very speedy and most welcome response.

Do you have a picture of him? I'm sure anything you have would be welcome by Amanda and also Promenade.

Hi Katie.

We have no actual photographs of William. However one day whilst at the Museum of Liverpool at the Pier Head whilst looking at the military display I typed William James Whittaker into the interactive display just out of curiosity. Up popped a photo of William, I nearly jumped out of my skin! The photo appears to come from Cunnards. Unfortunately I was unable to access any further info from the Maritime museum that day as their archives were closed. I have taken a photo of the screen shot but am not sure about copyright and putting it on here?

That's ok.

techmick wrote: If we move back 2 generations of William's (his father and Grandfather) who were both called William, we come to his great grandfather called Thomas. It is here I have hit a brick wall, I cannot find any trace of DOB or any info at all. Do you have any ideas which way I could turn to finding this information and progressing please?

I would suggest that this should be the subject of a separate post on the Liverpool Board rather than continuing on this one which is just for the heroes on the St Cyprian's Memorial.

Please give the full details of what you have, including references to assist those who will help.

Copyright of the Devereux database belongs to Promenade so you are right not to upload the details. Promenade is already involved with this Project and the picture you mention will already be given to the biography on William James Whittaker.