Friday 1 May 2015

Whittaker, James - Private (14392)

Pte James Whittaker
Scottish Rifles,
Died on 23rd March 1918
Age 25 Fauborg D'Amiens Cemetery, Arras

Newspaper Report:

FLASH MILL WAREHOUSEMAN - PTE JAMES WHITTAKER

Mr. J. W. Whittaker and Mrs. Whittaker, of 37 Hudrake, Haslingden, have received official notification that one of their five sons serving in the Army, Pte. James Whittaker (25), Scottish Rifles, was killed in action on March 23rd.

Private Whittaker was brought up at Haslingden Parish Church schools.  From a lad he had worked in the warehouse at Flash Mill, and was most popular with his employers and the workpeople. He enlisted September 1st 1914.  He had been three times wounded, and once gassed.  He received his first wound on the Kaiser's birthday, in January 1916, and then spent nine months in England.  He did not come home as a consequence of his other wounds but he was on leave about eight weeks ago.  At one time he played with the Flash Mill Football team.

Newspaper Memorials:

In loving memory of our dear Son, Pte. James Whittaker, 14392, Scottish Rifles, killed in action in France, March 23rd, 1918

"One year has passed and still we miss him,
Friends may think the wound is healed,
But they little know the sorrow,
Deep within our hearts is sealed.

From Father, Mother and Family, Marsden (in Salonica), Willie and Herbert (In France)

"Though lost to sight,
To memory dear"

From Brother John (in France) and Sister Ethel, 7 Church Lane, Haslingden.

"No one who knew him need ever be told,
That a warmer heart death never turned cold.
His loving smiles, his cheerful face,
There's none can fill our brother's place.

From his loving Sister, Elizabeth Ann and Nephew, John William Nuttall.

His King and country called him,
The call was not in vain;
On Britain's roll of honour,
You'll find our hero's name.

A loving brother, true and kind,
A beautiful memory left behind

From his Sister Frances, and Brother-in-law