© Peter Hodgkinson 2016
Frederick Whitham (1883-
He married Emma Loomes in early 1905, and had three children: Emma (b.1908), Doris (b.1913), and Frederick (b.1911) by the outbreak of war. Emma was pregnant when he enlisted, and Sarah Ann was born in early March 1915. The parish of Heeley commemorates his death, (and the CWGC gives her address as 91, Heeley Green, Sheffield) but he and his wife were living in August 1914 at 13 Court 19 House, Solly St, Netherthorpe, Sheffield, his parents also living in Solly Street in 1911.
Thirty-
Soldiers Died in the Great War states that Frederick Whitham enlisted in Sheffield, but a letter from his wife dated 20 August 1914 places him at the regimental depot of the Yorkshire Regiment, at Richmond.
Sheffield
20 8th1914
Sir
Please find enclosed Marriage & Certificates of birth of wife and children of Regtl. No. not yet known of Pte. Whitham Depot 19th Foot Richmond Yorks. Sir I remain your obedient servant address Mrs Emma Whitham 13 Ct 19 House Solly Street Sheffield Yorks.
The prefix 3/ in his regimental number 3/8143 means that he was enlisted in the Special Reserve, and the number itself indicates he enlisted after 5/8 but before 17/8/1914. The fact that he entered the France & Flanders theatre on 14/11/1914, i.e. early post-
The letters (reproduced with the kind permission of Alistair Caisley):
Letters from England October-
Letters from Flanders November 1914 -
Letters from Flanders May-
Letters from Flanders June-
The article analysing the content of the Whitham letters can be accessed via the downloads page.