Main CPGW Record
Surname: WHITELL
Forename(s): James
Place of Birth: Burnley, Lancashire
Service No: 3/9658
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 2nd Battalion
Division: 4th Division
Age: ---
Date of Death: 1916-10-24
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 6 A and 6 B.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: CARLETON-IN-CRAVEN, YORKSHIRE
Local War Memorial: EARBY, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
James Whitell was the son of Arthur and Harriet Whitell, née Pearson. Both parents were born at Burnley, Lancashire.
1901 Earby, Yorkshire Census: 11, White Lion Street - James Whitell, age 7 years, born Burnley, Lancashire, son of Arthur and Harriet Whitell.
1911 Earby, Yorkshire Census: 5, Wesley Place - James Whitell, age 18 years, born Burnley, Lancashire, son of Arthur and Harriet Whitell.
James was married to Ruth Broadley in 1914. Ruth married Thomas Holden in 1923.
British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte James Whitell, 9658, 2/W. Rid. R. Theatre of War first served in: [1 - France]. Date of entry therein: 8.9.14. K. in A. 24.10.16.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte James Whitell, 3/9658, 2 W. Rid. R. K. in A. 24.10.16.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte James Whitell, 9658, 2nd Bn W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: 24.10.16. France. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow - Ruth. £27 6s. 6d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for James.
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: Local War Memorial
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Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
WHITELL, James, aged 25, West Riding Regiment, husband of Mrs. Whitell, of Beckside, Carleton, killed in France Oct. 24, 1916.
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Private James WHITELL
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 4th Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
26 October 1917
WHITELL – In loving memory of Private James Whitell of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, killed in action in France, October 24th, 1916, aged 23 years.
“The love that lingers o’er his name is more than fame.”
From his loving wife, Ruth Whitell, 9, Beckside, Carleton, Skipton.
25 October 1918
WHITELL – In loving memory of Private James Whitell, of the West Riding Regiment, killed in action October 24th, 1916, aged 23 years.
From his wife Ruth, 9 Beck Side, Carleton.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
17 November 1916
WHITELL – October 24th, in France, Pte. James Whitell, of the West Riding Regiment, of Carleton, aged 23.
17 November 1916
MORE CARLETON CASUALTIES
Mrs. Whitell, of Beckside, Carleton, has received information from the Record Office that her husband, Pte. James Whitell, of the West Riding Regiment, met his death in France on October 24th.
Pte. Whitell was a reservist, and was called up in August 1914, and proceeded to France. He had only five days’ leave during the two years of war, and he went through the war up to his death without a scratch. At the time when he was called to the Colours he was working at Carleton Mills, where his wife is still employed. Much sympathy is felt for Mrs. Whitell in her bereavement, as in two years she has lost her only child and her husband. The latter was 23 years of age.
[The name of James and Ruth's daughter was Annie.]
15 December 1916
SOLDIER’S DEATH
Mrs. Whitell, of Beck Side, who lost her husband a few weeks ago in the big push in France, had just received the following letter from the officer:– “Dear Madam, – It is with the deepest regret that I write these few lines to you in answer to your letter. Your husband, No. 9658, Pte. Whitell, was killed on the 24th of October, and the circumstances of his death are as follows: After having been in the trenches for several days and taken part in at least three attacks on the enemy previous to his death, about 4.30 p.m. the company was just being relieved, and it was while they were marching away that your husband was struck by a piece of shell and killed instantly. He was buried where he fell and his grave marked. The place of burial will be notified to you by the military authorities later. We are all very sorry to hear of his death, as he has been with us for over two years, and we extend to you our deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement. – I remain, yours sincerely, A.J. Brown, C.B.H.S.”
23 February 1917
IN MEMORIAM
In loving memory of James, the only child of the late Pte. James Whitell and Ruth Whitell, of Carleton, who died on Feb. 20th, 1916, aged one year and eleven months.
And with the morn those angel faces smile
Which we have loved long since and lost awhile.
– From Mamma and Grandma, Uncles and Aunties. 9, Beckside, Carleton.
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James’s widow [maiden name Ruth Broadley] also lost her 2 yrs old son James to meningitis in October 1916. She married Thomas Holden of Skipton about 1920. She went on to have more children Arthur, Thomas, John, Cedric, Walter, Mary and Joan. Ruth was my mother.