Top Navigation

Joseph WHITHAM

Main CPGW Record

Surname: WHITHAM

Forename(s): Joseph

Place of Birth: Skipton, Yorkshire

Service No: 907376

Rank: Private

Regiment / Corps / Service: Canadian Infantry

Battalion / Unit: 102nd Battalion

Division: 4th Canadian Division

Age: 30

Date of Death: 1917-04-09

Awards: ---

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: B. 19.

CWGC Cemetery: GIVENCHY ROAD CANADIAN CEMETERY, NEUVILLE-ST. VAAST

CWGC Memorial: ---

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE

Additional Information:

Joseph Whitham (born 28 December 1886) was the son of John and Jane Ann Whitham, née Bracewell. John was born at Broughton and Jane at Skipton, Yorkshire. Joseph was the cousin of A/Corporal Ernest Cowgill (2063) (q.v.).

1891 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: High Mill - Joseph Whitham, aged 4 years, born Skipton, son of John and Jane Whitham.

1901 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: High Mill - Joseph Whitham, aged 14 years, born Skipton, son of John and Jane A. Whitham.

The British Army Service Record for Joseph Whitham (Number: 48 & 628, 6th Bn West Riding Regiment) exists but may be incomplete.

Canadian service records: http://www.baclac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/first-world-war-1914-1918-cef

Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry

View Entry in CPGW Book

Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:

WHITHAM, Joe, aged 30, Canadian Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Whitham, Wood Cottage, Skipton, killed in action, France, April 9, 1917.

---

Click the thumbnail below to view a larger image.

Private Joseph WHITHAM

Private Joseph WHITHAM

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Canadian Infantry

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Canadian Infantry

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 4th Canadian Division

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 4th Canadian Division

Data from Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 - 1919 Records

Soldiers Died Data for Soldier Records

Surname: No entry in SDGW - Canadian Forces.

Forename(s):

Born:

Residence:

Enlisted:

Number:

Rank:

Regiment:

Battalion:

Decorations:

Died Date:

Died How:

Theatre of War:

Notes:

Data from Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records

CWGC Data for Soldier Records

Surname: WHITHAM

Forename(s): Joseph

Country of Service: Canadian

Service Number: 907376

Rank: Private

Regiment: Canadian Infantry

Unit: 102nd Bn.

Age: 30

Awards:

Died Date: 09/04/1917

Additional Information: Son of John and Jane Whitham, of Wood Cottage, High Mills, Skipton, Yorks. England. (CWGC Headstone Personal Inscription: THE YEARS ROLL ON STILL MEMORY CLINGS)

---

View Additional Image(s)

Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records

John Whitham, the father of Private Joseph Whitham

John Whitham, the father of Private Joseph Whitham

Courtesy of Graham Nolan

Memorial Chamber of Canada’s Parliament Buildings, Ottawa

Memorial Chamber of Canada’s Parliament Buildings, Ottawa

In the Memorial Chamber are the eight ‘Books of Remembrance’ that contain the names of more than 120,000 Canadians who gave their lives in the service of Canada

Source: Canadian Virtual War Memorial (Kindly supplied by Shirley Penman, Clitheroe)

Page from the First World War ‘Book of Remembrance’: Private Joseph Whitham

Page from the First World War ‘Book of Remembrance’: Private Joseph Whitham

Source: Canadian Virtual War Memorial (Kindly supplied by Shirley Penman, Clitheroe)

View Craven Herald Articles

View Craven Herald Articles

Craven Herald and Wensleydale Standard Logo

27 April 1917

WHITHAM – April 9th 1917, killed in action in France, Pte. Joe Whitham, Canadian Contingent, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Whitham, Wood Cottage, Skipton, aged 30 years.

27 April 1917

TWO SKIPTON 'CANADIANS' – PRIVATE JOE WHITHAM

Pte. Joe Whitham, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Whitham, Wood Cottage, who was also serving with the Canadian contingent, is another local lad who is reported killed. In a letter to the parents, a soldier writes:– “I am very sorry indeed to have to write and tell you such sad news as this – that my greatest friend and companion, Joe, was killed on the 9th inst., while doing his duty on the battlefield. He was dressing a wounded comrade when a German sniper shot him through the head. We made it up about a month ago that if either of us was killed in the big drive, the one left was to write to the other’s people and let them know.”

Thirty years of age, and formerly employed on the Skipton Castle estate, Pte. Whitham emigrated to Canada about eight years ago, and up to enlisting had been engaged in agricultural work at Aylesbury, near Regina. He joined a Canadian contingent twelve months ago, and had been in France since November last.

12 April 1918

WHITHAM – In ever loving memory of our dear son and brother, Private Joe Whitham, 102nd Canadians, who was killed in action, April 9th, 1917, aged 30 years.

“Greater love hath no man than this: ‘ That he lay down his life for his friend.’”

From his loving Father, Sisters and Brother.

WHITHAM – In affectionate remembrance of Private Joe Whitham, 102nd Canadians, who was killed in action at Vimy Ridge, April 9th, 1917.

The love bond that held us together
Will not part us though in death,
For he fought for his dear old country
And died a hero’s death.

From his loving friend Eveline and all at 65 Newmarket Street, Skipton.

11 April 1919

WHITHAM – In ever loving memory of my dear friend, Private Joe Whitham, 102nd Canadians, who was killed in action on Vimy Ridge, April 9th, 1917, aged 30 years.

Two years have passed, but none can tell,
The loss of one I loved so well.

From his loving friend Eveline and all at 65 Newmarket Street, Skipton.

09 April 1920

WHITHAM – In ever loving memory of Pte. Joe Whitham, 102nd Canadian Battalion, who was killed in action April 9th, 1917, aged 30 years.

‘Tis sweet to know we’ll meet again
Where partings are no more,
And that the one I loved so well
Has only gone before.

From his loving Friend, Eveline, and all at 65 Newmarket Street, Skipton.

08 April 1921

WHITHAM – In ever loving memory of Pte. Joe Whitham, 102nd Canadian Battalion, who was killed in action on Vimy Ridge, April 9th, 1917, aged 30 years.

“Time passes but loving memories still remain.”

From his loving Friend, Miss Eveline Bunnett and All at 65 Newmarket Street, Skipton.

View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles

View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles

West Yorkshire Pioneer Logo

27 April 1917

WHITHAM – Killed in action, April 9th, Pte. Joe Whitham, Canadian Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Whitham, of Wood Cottage, Skipton, aged 30.

27 April 1917

CRAVEN’S LOSES IN THE WAR – KILLED WHILST DRESSING WOUNDED COMRADE

Pte. Joe Whitham, of one of the Canadian Regiments, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Whitham, of Wood Cottage, Skipton, is reported to have been killed in action on April 9th. In a letter to Pte. Whitham’s parents, a ‘pal’ writes:– “I am very sorry indeed to have to write and tell you such sad news as this, that my greatest friend and companion, Joe, was killed on the 9th whilst doing his duty on the battlefield. He was dressing a wounded comrade when a German sniper shot him through the head. We each made it up about a month ago, that if either of us was killed in the big drive, the one left was to write to the other’s people and let them know.” Pte. Whitham, who was 30 years of age, went out to Canada about eight years ago to take up farm work. He enlisted about twelve months ago, and had been in France since last November. Prior to going to Canada he was employed on the Skipton Castle Estate.

Submit a Correction

    Name (required)

    Email Address (required)

    Telephone (required)

    Soldier Reference - Name:

    Soldier Reference - URL:

    Details of the correction to be made (required)

    Comment on this Soldier Record

    You can leave comments on this soldier record. Please note all comments will be manually approved before they appear on the website.

    No comments yet.

    Leave a Reply

    Pin It on Pinterest

    Share This