Harry Garrett Whitaker pictured at a family wedding in 1911
(picture courtesy of the Whitaker family)
Unit/Regiment
1st/5th Bn., South Lancashire Regiment
Date of Death
15/01/1920
Age at Death
24
Burial/Memorial & Reference
Prescot Churchyard
Middle West part
CWGC Family Details
(if shown)
Son of Richard H. Whitaker, of Wollaton. Parkside, Prescot.
Census Details
1901 Census -
The Whitaker family lived at "The Nursery" in Knowsley. Richard H Whitaker, 36, a Nursery Man and Gardener and his wife Edith, aged 33, had children Elsie (7), Henry (5) and Nora (2).
Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations
Birth registered Q3/1895, Prescot, 8b, 721
Death Registered Q1/1920, Prescot, 8b, 1080
Notes
Harry Garrett Whitaker attended Prescot Grammar School, starting there in 1904.
Research Ref. No.
P296
Service Details
Harry Whitaker was recommended for a Mention in Despatches. At the time, he was 2/Lieut. (Acting Captain).
Dated 7/3/17, the citation, for the King's Birthday Honours List, reads:
"At Delville Wood 9th & 10th September, 1916 when in command of a company in Edge Trench, our right flank being in the air, showed great coolness and daring in patrolling and getting in touch with the battalion on our right and in also locating the enemy in Hop and Ale Alley."
On 20/09/17, the 5th Bn. were tasked with capturing various objectives on Gravenstafel Spur. Harry Whitaker was tasked with leading an attack on Gallipoli Copse at about 3.30 pm which appears to have been a success - just !!
But then on 26th November the 5th Bn. took up post on the left of 166th Brigade from Banteux Ravine to Wood Road. Basically, the enemy launched an all out assault on the morning of the 30th.Jeudwine had issued an order "Stand or fall at your posts" the previous day, and it seems that this is what they did. The chapter goes on to say that communication with the battalion could not be established "Nothing further was heard and not a man came back; the 5th battalion was literally wiped out".
In fact, the battalion wasn’t wiped out. Many of them surrendered, including 15 Officers, one of whom was Harry Whitaker. He was repatriated to the UK on 17th December 1918, about a month after the armistice.
The list of officers of the battalion captured during the war shows the inordinate number captured on the same date as Harry Whitaker
An extract from the Battalion War Diary of November 1917, showing the action on 30th in which Harry Whitaker was taken prisoner.
His Medal Index Card (shown below) contains the entry “Exonerated Officers List/30”. All those officers who were captured and who returned home after the war had to complete a report into the circumstances of their capture. The main purpose of these reports was to ascertain the conduct of the officers and ensure that he had not surrendered in suspicious circumstances.
After their repatriation report had been considered and accepted by the committee set up to examine such reports, the officers were then permitted to be awarded their campaign medals, should these be claimed.
Captain Whitaker’s Medal Index Card with the notation that he was on the “Exonerated Officers List”
The London Gazette of January 9th, 1918, published the above citation for Lt. Whitaker’s Military Cross
Under the headline “Captain H. G. Whitaker Returns Home”, the Prescot Reporter of December 27th, 1918 reported, “Capt. H. G. Whitaker, son of Coun. R. H. Whitaker, of “Woolaton”, Park Side, Knowsley, has returned from his imprisonment in Germany just in time to take part in the Christmas festivities around the family table.
Capt. Whitaker had the misfortune, along with many others, to be captured during a Hun counter-attack at Cambria on November 20th, 1917, and had therefore spent something like thirteen months as a prisoner of war. After his capture he was taken to Le Cateau, where he remained only a short while. From Le Cateau he was forwarded to Heidelberg which he described as “one of the best officers’ camps in Germany”. As a result the time he was incarcerated there was of a comparatively pleasant nature and the only inconvenience occasioned was shortage of food. They were allowed two meals a day, one at noon and the other at six o’clock, the meal in each case consisting of a small quantity of vegetable soup.But for the parcels received from home it would have been difficult to exist, for as well can be imagined, vegetables mixed with water and boiled do not constitute a very satisfying meal; certainly it would not keep one in “the pink”.
But Capt. Whitaker managed to exist there for about eight months, and when he was removed to Clausthal his real troubles commenced. The commander of the camp was the notorious Niemeyer, the whole of whose energies seem to have been devoted to making the lives of the unfortunate prisoners as uncomfortable and painful as possible. His treatment of the officers was exceedingly bad, especially so when the war was going in the Allies favour. When, however, things were looking bright for the German army, his cruelty was somewhat less pronounced. But at no time was it good, for goodness and Niemeyer seemed to be utter strangers to each other. What made matters worse was the fact that all parcels coming through from the homeland were opened and pillaged by the Unspeakable Hun.
Asked as to any acts of cruelty which might have come under his notice, Capt. Whitaker quite fairly and frankly said he suffered from no ill treatment, neither did he see anyone ill treated, though he had been told that cruelty was quite common before his arrival at Clausthal. Some places, he explained, were better than others. At Heidelberg, for instance, very little notice was taken of the prisoners and they were allowed to do pretty much as they liked, but it was quite the reverse at Clausthal, where those in authority seemed to take special pleasure in annoying the prisoners and subjecting them to all manner of pin-pricks.
Capt. Whitaker said he was glad to be home again, a feeling which all will understand and appreciate”.
A little over a year later, Harry Whitaker succumbed to illness which had been caused by the deprivation suffered in captivity, passing away on 15th January 1920.
The Prescot Reporter of 23rd January 1920 led with a headline “The Late Capt. H. G. Whitaker. M.C. – Impressive Funeral” and reported, ”The internment of the remains of the late Capt. Harry G. Whitaker, M.C. took place in the Prescot churchyard on Monday, the Rev. J. P. W. Lovett, assisted by the Rev. W. S. Jones, conducting the service in the church and at the graveside.
The cortege, which was large and representative, left the house, “Woolaton”, Park Side, Knowsley, at half-past two o’clock and most of the inhabitants along the route showed their respect and esteem for the deceased by drawing the blinds of their dwelling houses. The service at the church, which was filled, was most impressive. The choir, of which the deceased was at one time a valued member, sang the hymn, “How Bright These Glorious Spirits Shine”, and the Psalm, “Preserve Me, O God, For In Thee I have Put My Trust” was also give. At the conclusion of the service, the organist played the Dead March in “Saul”.
The chief mourners were Mr R. H. Whitaker (father), Mr. Percy Whitaker (brother), Messrs. James, John, Joseph, Benjamin and Albert Whitaker (uncles), Messrs. Leslie, James, Albert, Peter, Owen and Jack Whitaker (nephews).
Among the general public who attended are Couns. G. G. Hemingway, J.P. (chairman), W. J. Lucas, J.P., A. J. Huckle, F. W. Halsall and Mr W. A. Cross (clerk), the Rev.F. B. Dobree, Rev. J. W. Glendenning (St Helens), Messrs. C. W/ Brown, T. Bulmer, W. Case, Dr. G. E. Green, Dr. S. M. Green, Supt. Garvey, Messrs. J. E. Hall, G. H. Hallas, J. P., C.C., J. Hamilton (Garswood), Morris Huckle, W. Hutchen, Gillis Lee (Knowsley), John Kennedy (Ormskirk), A. F. Mann, J. Orrett, A. R. Prescott, T. S. Preston, H. R. S. Preston, F. R. Pritchard (St Helens), J. Rawlinson (Knowsley), T. Roby, W. Rose (Bootle), J. Skirrow (Wallasey), H. S. Silcock, N. Silcock and F Waterworth (Liverpool). The 1/5th South Lancashire Regiment, to which the deceased belonged, was represented in the cortege by Lieut-Col. D. Bates, T.D., Major W. N. Pilkington, D.S.O., Major J. Tennant, D. S. O., Major A. L. Evans, T.D., Capt. R. N. Cook, Capt, Gould, Capt. H. T. Valentine, M.C. Capt. T. H. Wood, Capt. W. Stephenson, Lieut. T. G. Alder, Lieut. R. H. Wood, Lieut. Bramley, Lieut. N. Williams, Lieut, G. H. Cross, and a number of N.C.O.’s and men.
The following sent wreaths:- All at Home; Aunties and Uncle and West End Villa; Uncle Jim, Auntie Annie and family; Uncle John, Auntie May and Cousins at the “Lilacs”; Uncle Joe, Auntie Lily and Cousins at Forest Farm; Uncle Bert, Auntie Betty and Leslie; Aunties Amy and Fanny; Cousins James and Jeanne; Dr. and Mrs. S. M. Green; Dr. and Mrs. G. E. Green; Officers, N.C.O.’s and men of the 1./5th South Lancs. Regt.; Officers of the 5th South Lancs. Regt.; Employees of J. Whitaker and Sons; Chairman, Members and Officials of the Council’ Staff of Poor Law Institution, Ormskirk; the assistants at “Lyme House”; Mrs. A. F. Evans, Mr. And Mrs. W. Case; Mr. And Mrs. Hemingway; Rev. and Mrs. W. S. Jones; all at Brook Cottage; Mr. And Mrs. T. Roby; Mr. Hutchen and family; Mr. And Mrs. Lucas and family; Mr. D. Nisbett; Mr. And Mrs. Huckle and family; Misses M. and F. Green; Mr. And Mrs. J. E. Hall; Mrs. Moxon and family; Mr. And Mrs. Kerfoot; Mr. And Mrs. W. A. Cross and Mr. G. H. Cross; Mr. F. W. Halsall and family; Mr. F. Brown and family, St. Helens; Miss Gertie Hallas and Allan Eastwood; Mr. And Mrs. C. W. Brown and family; all at Garswood; Mr. And Mrs. Moulds and family; Rev. J. W. and Mrs. Glendenning; all at 5, Stanley Crescent; Supt. And Mrs. Garvey.
Mr. Halsall had charge of the funeral arrangements.
Harry Whitaker’s grave in Prescot Churchyard. It can be seen that the main part of the stone has disappeared, leaving only the steps with the inscriptions
William White
No details have been found of William White's military service. He is commemorated on the Civic War Memorial and also on the Rood Screens inside the Parish Church. His death was registered in Prescot in 1917, when he was 24 years old. I have not as yet obtained a copy of his death certificate.
The 1901 census showed the White family living at 40, Ackers Street, Prescot. John Ackers, a 45 year old Labourer, was married to Ann (44) and with them were children John (14) and William (9). By the time of the 1911 census the family had moved to 10, Hill Street. By now, John and Ann had been married for 31 years. Their sons John (25) and William (20) were both working as Bricklayer's Labourers.
Private 285014 Benjamin WILLIAMS
Unit/Regiment
9th Bn, Welsh Regiment
Date of Death
08/06/1917
Age at Death
32
Burial/Memorial & Reference
Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery
XV J 7
CWGC Family Details
(if shown)
Son of Peter and Elizabeth Williams, of Cross St., Prescot, Liverpool, Lancs; husband of Annie Rose Williams, of St. Charles' House, Lower Bullingham, Hereford
Census Details
1901 Census -
The Williams family lived at 25, Carlton Street, Prescot. Peter Williams (37), was a Colliery Shot Lighter and lived with wife Elizabeth (35) and their children Benjamin (15, a Coal Miner), Catherine (14), Dinah (12), Thomas (9), Sarah (6) and Glyn (1).
1911 Census - Benjamin had been married to his wife Annie for three years and they had a three year old daughter, Doris. Benjamin, aged 25, is recorded as being an Able Seaman and the family was living as boarders at a house in Wavertree, Liverpool.
A general map of the area in which the attack of June 1917 took place. The 9th Battalion, part of 19th Division, 58 Brigade, had the “Green Line” as their objective
A more detailed map showing the position of 9 WR.
Private Williams Medal Index Card, showing his service with the Welsh Regiment and the King’s (Liverpool) Regiment
Private Williams’ grave at Lijssenthoek
Although Benjamin Williams is buried at Lijssenthoek, his family had his name inscribed on the family grave in Prescot Churchyard
Private G/23882 Henry Cecil WILLIAMS
Unit/Regiment
1st Bn., Queens Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
Date of Death
26/10/1917
Age at Death
20
Burial/Memorial & Reference
Tyne Cot Memorial
Panel 106 to 108
CWGC Family Details
(if shown)
Son of Harry and Florence Williams, of 1, Market St., Rugby.
Census Details
1901 Census -
Living at 8, Houston Road, Whiston, were Harry Williams, a 29 year old Watch Engraver, his wife Florence (24) and their children Florence (5) and Harry (4)
Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations
SDGW – Where Born
Prescot, Lancs
Enlisted
Rugby
Resided
How Died
Killed In Action
Theatre of War
France & Flanders
Notes
Formerly 4870 Buffs
Research Ref. No.
P299
Service Details
Harry Williams (Senior) was a native of Coventry in Warwickshire and will have moved to Prescot to seek employment in the Watch Factory. When the factory closed in 1911, it would appear that the family moved back to Warwickshire
Henry Williams inscription on the Tyne Cot memorial
Lance Corporal 5903 Isaac WILLIAMS
Unit/Regiment
1st Bn, Northamptonshire Regiment
Date of Death
22/12/1914
Age at Death
23
Burial/Memorial & Reference
Le Touret Memorial
Panel 28 to 30
Census Details
1901 Census –
10 year old Isaac lived with his parents Isaac (a Coal Miner) and Catherine, both aged 28, at 9, Vista Lane, Haydock. He had two younger brothers, William (7) and Harry (3) and also sister Margaret (5).
L/Cp Williams’ inscription on the Le Touret Memorial
Isaac Williams' Medal Index Card
Private 17671 Ivor WILLIAMS
(c) Prescot Reporter
Unit/Regiment
6th Bn., King's Own Scottish Borderers
Date of Death
04/07/1916
Age at Death
37
Burial/Memorial & Reference
Thiepval Memorial
Pier and Face 4A & 4D
CWGC Family Details
(if shown)
Son of Elizabeth Williams, of Hormes Houses, Warrington Rd., Whiston, and the late Isaac Williams; husband of Emma Mary Williams, of 7, Cross St., Prescot, Lancs
Census Details
1901 Census -
Isaac was aged 22 and working as a Coal Miner - Drawer. He lived at 21, Derby Square, Prescot, with his parents Isaac (58, a Coal Miner) and Elizabeth (58), and siblings Edward (35), Hannah (18), Ezra (14) and nephew Edward (7).
Marriage to Emma Mary Mercer registered Liverpool, Q3/1905, Volume 8b, Page 32
SDGW – Where Born
Mostyn, Flint
Enlisted
St Helens, Lancs
Resided
St Helens, Lancs
Research Ref. No.
P313
Service Details
In the first few days of the Somme offensive of July 1916, the 6th Battalion, King’s own Scottish Borderers were in support of the front line and spent much of their time providing carrying parties (ammunition and supplies) in support of the remainder of the Divisions at Montauban Wood.
The Battalion diary records that on the night of 30th June/1st July, the battalion paraded as late as 11:10 p.m. at the cross roads at GROVETOWN then marched to TRIGGER WOOD VALLEY, all arriving by 12:45 a.m.
It reported the men as being in splendid condition and very keen to be involved in the forthcoming actions, going on to say, “Bombardment all night by us, very intensive from 5:00 to 7:30 a.m. Our infantry attacked on large front at 7:30 a.m. At 12 noon, objective reported taken in immediate front – MONTAUBAN. Weather splendid, Wind S.W.”
“D” Company went out at on carrying duty at 7:15 p.m. and only returned at 5:30 a.m. on the 2nd July. They had been carrying Royal Engineer’s stores to LOOP TRENCH for the Essex Battalion of the 53rd Brigade. “A” Company went out at 11:50 p.m. on the 1st, returning at 6:30 a.m. on the 2nd, carrying stores to the forward dump of the 54th Brigade at POMMIERS REDOUBT.
On the 2nd, the diary reports that the battalion was ready to move out at short notice, but stayed in place for most of the day until they left TRIGGER WOOD VALLEY at 9:15 p.m. for TRAIN ALLEY, arriving there at 5:15 a.m. on the morning of 3rd July. Here they formed working parties, presumably repairing and reinforcing trench positions.
At 7:00 p.m. they battalion received Operational Orders to attack BERNAFAY WOOD. They formed up immediately and the attack commenced at 9:00 p.m. accompanied by the 12th Battalion of the Royal Scots. The attack was successful and the wood was taken, with 2 machine guns being captured and 11 prisoners taken, 5 casualties being incurred.
Almost immediately, a very heavy enemy bombardment of the newly captured positions began and this continued all night. Headquarters for the battalion was established in a shell hole in the South Western end of the wood and consolidation of the positions was undertaken.
The intense enemy bombardment continued into the 4th July and Headquarters was moved to CHIMNEY TRENCH.
Casualties were reported as 2 officers killed, 2 wounded and 2 more suffering from shell shock. “Other Rank” casualties for the day are simply reported as 130, without any indication of how many were killed and how many wounded. However, analysis of “Soldiers Died in the Great War” (SDGW) lists 22 men of the battalion as killed on that date, including Ivor Williams.
His body was never identified and he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.
Prescot Reporter 14th September 1917
Ivor Williams' Medal Index Card which repoers his as "MPD" (Missinf Presumed Dead) on 11th July 1915. The year is clearly incorrect as Pte Williams was serving in Gallipoli on that date before being transferred to the Western Front.
Private 34632 Daniel WILLIAMS
Unit/Regiment
8th Bn., Border Regiment
Date of Death
25/04/1918
Age at Death
19
Burial/Memorial & Reference
Bolougne Eastern Cemetery
IX A 23
CWGC Family Details
(if shown)
Son of John and Sarah Williams, of 12, Henrietta St., Leigh. Born at Whiston Potteries, Prescot, Lancs
Census Details
1901 Census –
Living at , Whiston Potteries, Whiston were John Williams, a 32 year old Coal Miner, his wife Sarah (30) and children Edith (7), Rebecca (4) and Daniel (1)
