Frank WHALEY

27 October 1916

HORTON-IN-RIBBLESDALE

Cadet F. Whaley, son of the Vicar of Horton-in-Ribblesdale, after six months’ service in France, with the Royal Fusiliers, followed by four months’ training with O.T.C. at Oxford, has received his commission as Second-Lieutenant in the 3rd Yorkshire Regiment. Whilst at the Front he took part in the capture of a Fokker aeroplane, an amusing account of which is given in the ‘Times’ History of the War.

13 April 1917

WHALEY – March 31st 1917, killed in action in France, Lieut. Frank Whaley, of the Yorkshire Regiment, the youngest (twin) son of the Rev. F.W. Whaley, vicar of Horton-in-Ribblesdale.

13 April 1917

KILLED WHILE LEADING HIS MEN – LIEUTENANT FRANK WHALEY, HORTON-IN-RIBBLESDALE

We regret to record this week that Second Lieutenant Frank Whaley, of the Yorkshire Regiment, the youngest (twin) son of the Rev. F. W. Whaley, vicar of Horton-in-Ribblesdale, has been killed in action on March 31st. He joined the Royal Fusiliers (Public Schools’ Battalion) as a private soon after the outbreak of the war, and after serving at the Front in France for six months in 1915-16, he was sent home to train for a commission and was gazetted Sec. Lieut. on 26th September last. He joined his regiment, the Yorkshires, in France early in November.

His Colonel, writing of him, says:– “Your gallant son was killed leading his men, whilst setting them a fine example of courage under heavy fire. A heavy shell fell near him and he died at once. He had been in a tight corner during an attack on a village and had extricated his men with skill. He was seen on a parapet encouraging his men and leading them with ability. He was a bright, cheerful companion and liked by everyone in the regiment. His company commander is much cut up about it. I am very pleased with the cheerful way in which all the young fellows with me are standing it. They are a stout-hearted lot when put to a test, and they are tested out here. Excuse a short note. I haven’t had time to sleep for 40 hours – but I felt I must write you a line, both for myself and on behalf of my battalion.”

Lieut. Whaley’s company commander says of him:– “I had a high opinion of his courage and his manly qualities. He was a dear lad, absolutely a gentleman and always cheerful and invariably cool, no matter what the conditions or circumstances were. His platoon was fond of him. He shared their hardships and they will miss his smile and cheering word. Personally I shall feel his loss first as a true friend and also as an asset to the company. I trust that it will be some consolation to you to know that he died fearlessly and doing his duty actually bombing the enemy.”

04 July 1919

PEACE SUPPLEMENT TO THE 'CRAVEN HERALD' – CRAVEN'S FALLEN OFFICERS

LIEUTENANT F. WHALEY

Yorks. Regiment, youngest son of the Rev. F. R. Whaley, vicar of Horton-in-Ribblesdale, killed in action March 31st, 1917.