Main CPGW Record
Surname: WHITHAM
Forename(s): Fred
Place of Birth: Carleton-in-Craven, Yorkshire
Service No: 80543
Rank: Gunner
Regiment / Corps / Service: Royal Garrison Artillery
Battalion / Unit: 222nd Siege Battery
Division: ---
Age: 22
Date of Death: 1917-07-12
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: I. G. 29.
CWGC Cemetery: COXYDE MILITARY CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: BARNOLDSWICK, YORKSHIRE
Local War Memorial: CARLETON-IN-CRAVEN, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Fred Whitham (born 19 September 1894) was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Alice Whitham, née Ayrton. Both parents were born at Carleton-in-Craven, Yorkshire. Fred was the nephew of Gunner Richard Ayrton (191103) (q.v.) and cousin of Sergeant Henry Ayrton (266192) (q.v.) and Private Alfred Harper (27049) (q.v.).
1901 Carleton-in-Craven, Yorkshire Census: 3, Oxford Terrace - Fred Whitham aged 6 years, born Carleton, son of Joseph and Elizabeth A. Whitham.
1911 Barnoldswick, Yorkshire Census: Oak Terrace, Skipton Road, Coates - Fred Whitham, aged 16 years, born Carleton-in-Craven, son of Joseph and Elizabeth Alice Whitham.
The British Army Service Record for Fred Whitham exists but may be incomplete.
A short biography of Fred is included in: ‘Barnoldswick – A small Town’s part in conflicts 1800 to 2014’ by Peter Ian Thompson (2014).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
WHITHAM, Gunner Fred, aged 22 years, R.G.A., son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Whitham, Oak Terrace, Coates, [Barnoldswick], killed in action July 11, 1917.
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Gunner Fred WHITHAM
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Royal Garrison Artillery
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
20 July 1917
BARNOLDSWICK – AN ONLY SON KILLED
A staggering blow has fallen upon Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Whitham, Oak Terrace, Coates, Barnoldswick, in the death of their son, Gunner Whitham, R.G.A., who was killed in France on the 11th inst. by a bomb from an enemy aeroplane. He was 22 years of age, and belonged to the Signalling Section in which he was held in the highest esteem by both officers and men. Prior to enlistment he was employed by Mr. Edward Aldersley, Coates Hall Farm. He went to France in February last.
27 July 1917
BARNOLDSWICK – TRIBUTE TO A BRAVE COMRADE
The parents of the late Gunner Fred Whitham, a signaller in the R.G.A., whose death was recorded last week as the result of a bomb dropped from an enemy aeroplane, have received the following tribute from Captain H.J. Finch:– “I cannot tell you how sorry we all are to lose him. He was an excellent signaller and always did his work splendidly – work which was very often difficult and dangerous. A cross is being erected by the battery and the position of the grave will be notified and sent to you. As you know, the signallers form a section of their own and work directly under me, so that I came in contact with your son a good deal. I never wish to have a better man. We have shared many jobs together. Words are poor consolation to you, but it will comfort you to know that your son died a good death in the execution of his duty. I think he was always very happy with us, and no finer tribute could be paid to a man than the letter which his comrades have written to you.”
The letter above referred to is signed by 19 of deceased’s comrades and reads as follows:– “Dear Mr. and Mrs. Whitham, – We fellow signallers of your late son, Fred, wish to convey to you our deepest sympathy at your sad loss. He was a staunch and loyal chum, and his cheery confidence was a tower of strength to all of us in many an anxious moment. Though we miss him keenly, our recollections of him will always be pleasant ones. Good old Fred! This must be a bad time for you, and we thought it would be a comfort to you to know how widely he was respected by us and the whole battery:”
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
20 July 1917
BARNOLDSWICK – AN ONLY SON KILLED
A staggering blow has fallen upon Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Whitham, Oak Terrace, Coates, Barnoldswick, on the death of their son, Gnr. Fred Whitham, R.G.A., who was killed in France on the 11th inst. by a bomb from an enemy aeroplane. He was 22 years of age, and belonged to the Signalling Section, in which he was held in the highest esteem by both officers and men. Prior to enlistment he was employed by Mr. Edward Aldersley, Coates Hall Farm. He went to France in February last.
27 July 1917
BARNOLDSWICK
TRIBUTES TO A BRAVE COMRADE
The parents of the late Gunner Fred Whitham, a signaller in the R.G.A., whose death we recorded last week as the result of a bomb dropped from an enemy aeroplane, have received the following tribute from Capt. H.J. Finch:– “I cannot tell you how sorry we all are to lose him. He was an excellent signaller and always did his work splendidly – work which was often difficult and dangerous. A cross is being erected by the Battery and the position of the grave will be notified and sent to you. As you know the signallers form a section of their own, and work directly under me, so that I came in contact with your son a good deal. I never wish to have a better man. We have shared many jobs together. Words are poor consolation to you, but it will comfort you to know that your son died a good death in the execution of his duty. I think he was always very happy with us, and no finer tribute could be paid to a man than the letter which his comrades have written to you.”
The letter above referred to is signed by 19 of deceased’s comrades, and reads as follows:– “We fellow signallers of your late son, Fred, wish to convey to you our deepest sympathy at your sad loss. He was a staunch and loyal chum, and his cheery confidence was a tower of strength to all of us in many an anxious moment. Though we miss him keenly our recollections of him will always be pleasant ones. Good old Fred! This must be a bad time for you, and we thought it would be a comfort to you to know how widely he was respected by us and the whole battery.”
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