Main CPGW Record
Surname: WHITTAKER
Forename(s): Hartley
Place of Birth: Burnley, Lancashire
Service No: W/4157
Rank: A/Bombardier
Regiment / Corps / Service: Royal Field Artillery
Battalion / Unit: 'C' Battery 122nd Brigade
Division: 38th (Welsh) Division
Age: 20
Date of Death: 1917-09-01
Awards: M.M.
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: IV. D. 22.
CWGC Cemetery: DOZINGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: EARBY, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Hartley Whittaker (born 19 July 1897) was the son of David and Annie Whittaker, née Thorburn. David was born at Rishton and Annie at Burnley, Lancashire.
1901 Kelbrook, Yorkshire Census: Vicarage Road - Hartley Whittaker, aged 3 years, born Burnley, Lancashire, son of David and Annie Whittaker.
1911 Earby, Yorkshire Census: 39, Granville Terrace - Hartley Whittaker, aged 13 years, born Burnley, Lancashire, son of David and Annie Whittaker.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: A/Bdr Hartley Whittaker, W/4157, Royal Field Artillery. Theatre of War: (1) France. Qualifying date [for 1914-15 Star]: 25 December 1915.
See also:
‘Earby in the First World War’ by Stephanie Carter, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2014).
‘Our Finest Crop’ by Steven Marshall, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2020).
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:
WHITTAKER, Hartley, aged 20, Bombardier, R.F.A., 54, Skipton Road, [Earby], fatally gassed Sept. 1, 1917.
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A/Bombardier Hartley WHITTAKER
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Royal Field Artillery
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 38th (Welsh) Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
21 September 1917
WHITTAKER – September 1st 1917, died from wounds in France, Bombardier Hartley Whittaker, R.F.A., son of Mr. and Mrs. David Whittaker, 54, Skipton Road, Earby, aged 20 years.
21 September 1917
EARBY – TWO EARBY MEN DIE OF WOUNDS
Bombardier Hartley Whittaker, R.F.A., who died from wounds in France on the 1st September, was 20 years of age and the son of Mr. and Mrs. David Whittaker, 54, Skipton Road, Earby. He had been out in France a year and eight months. He was formerly a weaver at Messrs. T. H. Hartley’s Brook Shed, Earby, and was formerly a member of the Barnoldswick Orchestral Society.
28 September 1917
EARBY LAD’S GALLANTRY
Mr. and Mrs. D. Whittaker, 54 Skipton Road, Earby, have received the following letter from an officer at the Front in relation to the death of their son, Bombardier Hartley Whittaker, R.F.A., a brief account of whose death from wounds, accompanied by photograph, appeared in our last week’s issue:–
B.E.F., 20/9/17
“Dear Mrs. Whittaker, – Your letter to the officer in command has been given me to answer. I cannot understand that you received no official notice of your son being wounded, and I regret to say he was very badly wounded. He was in the section of which I am in command, and I saw him wounded by a shell. He was at once attended to, and a doctor was on the spot immediately afterwards. He was quite cool and cheerful when placed upon the stretcher. The doctor ordered him to be taken to hospital close by at once. Though he was seriously wounded we all hoped for the best. Now in case you have not heard, I must say how grieved we were to hear that he had passed away. He was one of the best and most promising boys one could desire to have in the battery, quite fearless and devoted to his duty. I saw him every day at work under most severe conditions. He set a magnificent example, and the decorations he was awarded were richly deserved. It unfortunately happened that our major was wounded and the captain who took his place has been transferred to another quarter. That is why a letter was not sent you before. My brother officers join me in asking your acceptance of their deepest sympathy, and wish to state that your son was a splendid soldier who died in doing is duty. We all trust that this may be some little comfort to you in your sad bereavement. Yours sincerely, PHILLIP SULLIVAN, 2nd Lieut.”
Bombardier Whittaker was 20 years of age. The above letter, which was received on Tuesday morning, contains the first intimation his parents have received that any decoration had been conferred upon him.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
21 September 1917
WHITTAKER – Sept. 1st, from wounds received in action, Bomb. Hartley Whittaker, R. F.A., son of Mr. and Mrs. David Whittaker, of 54, Skipton Road, Earby, aged 20.
21 September 1917
TWO EARBY MEN DIE OF WOUNDS
Bombardier Hartley Whittaker, R.F.A., who died of wounds in France on the 1st September, was 20 years of age and the son of Mr. and Mrs. David Whittaker, 54, Skipton Road, Earby. He had been out in France a year and eight months. He was formerly a weaver at Messrs. T.H. Hartley’s, Brook Shed, Earby. He is the first member of the Barnoldswick Orchestral Society to be killed in the war.
28 September 1917
EARBY LAD’S BRAVERY
Mr. and Mrs. D. Whittaker, 54, Skipton Road, Earby, have received the following letter from an officer at the front in relation to the death of their son, Bombardier Hartley Whittaker, Royal Field Artillery, a brief account of whose death from wounds, accompanied by a photograph, appeared in our last week’s issue:–
British Expeditionary Force. 20/9/17.
“Dear Mrs. Whittaker, – Your letter to the officer in command has been given me to answer. I cannot understand that you received no official notice of your son being wounded, and I regret to say he was very badly wounded. He was in the Section of which I am in command, and I saw him wounded by a shell. He was at once attended to, and a doctor was on the spot immediately afterwards. He was quite cool and cheerful when placed upon the stretcher. The doctor ordered him to be taken to hospital close by at once. Though he was seriously wounded we all hoped for the best. Now in case you have not heard I must say how grieved we were to hear that he had passed away. He was one of the best and most promising boys one could desire to have in the battery, quite fearless and devoted to duty. I saw him every day at work under most severe conditions. He set a magnificent example, and the decorations he was awarded he richly deserved. It unfortunately happened that our major was wounded, and the captain who took his place has been transferred to another quarter. That is why a letter was not sent to you before. My brother officers join me in asking your acceptance of their deepest sympathy, and wish to state that your son was a splendid soldier who died doing his duty. We all trust that this may be some little comfort to you in your sad bereavement. – Yours sincerely, Philip Sullivan, Second-Lieutenant.”
Bombardier Whittaker was 20 years of age. The above letter, which was received on Tuesday morning, contains the first intimation his parents have received that any decoration had been conferred upon him.
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I have just found this. Hartley Whittaker was my fathers oldest brother. My father was Leslie Whittaker born in Earby in 1912. I have seen his picture before.