Pte 15369 William James Whittaker

• Age: 22
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Tuesday 27th June 1916
• Commemorated at: Cerisy-gailly Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: II.K.5

William James was the eldest of two sons and three daughters born to William James Whittaker, a postman born in Liverpool, and his wife Agnes Russell (formerly Elward) who was born in Scotland. His mother, Agnes Russell (nee MacFarlane) was first married to John Joseph Elward in 1888 in Liverpool. Her husband died in the June quarter of 1892, aged 27. Agnes remarried at St Nathaniel's Church, Edge Hill Liverpool to William James Whittaker.  

William James junior was born in Liverpool on 08th July 1894. He was baptised at St Catherine's Church, Edge Hill, Liverpool on 22nd July 1894.

A second son, Archibald, was born in Liverpool in the March quarter of 1896.

In 1901 the family lived at 21 Ling Street, Edge Hill, with William’s grandfather William, a 60 year old retired hairdresser. Father William James is a 33 year old postman, whilst his mother, Agnes Russell  is aged 36 born in Peebles, Carlops, Scotland, though her birth was registered at West Linton in 1863. Their chuldren are listed as; William James jnr 6, Archibald 5, Agnes MacFarlane 3. Also present in the household are his father's brother, James, he is aged 22 employed as a slate mason, and his wife Harriett Ann aged 24 and a tobacco worker (all born Liverpool apart from his mother).

By the time of the 1911 Census the family had moved to 46 Earlsfield Road, Wavertree. His father William James is a 43 year old postman, his mother Agnes Russell is aged 47. They state that they have been married for 17 years and have had 5 children  all of whom have survived. All five children are at home and declared as; William James jnr aged 16  and a commercial clerk, Archibald aged 15 is an apprentice electrician, Agnes MacFarlane is aged 13 and at school, Edith Emily is 8 and at school, Doris  is 6 and also at school.

Prior to enlisting William was employed by Cunard in their Accountancy Department.

William enlisted at St George's Hall among the very first to enlist when he joined the 17th Battalion as Private 15369.

He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14^th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. 

His medal card shows that he served in France from 07^th November 1915, earning all 3 medals, but was killed in action due to shellfire aged 22 years on 27^th June 1916.

The British bombardment of the German lines, in preparation for the ‘Big Push’, began on 24th June 1916. On the 26th the German counter-barrage begins and inflicts quite serious losses on the 17th and 20th battalions.

The 17th Bn War Diary for 26th/27th June shows “heavy enemy bombardment of front line trenches.  Casualties: Killed O.R. 17, Wounded O.R. 57”

William was buried close to where he fell in Maricourt Military Cemetery and his grave marked with a cross.  The cemetery was at the south-east corner of the village, on the road to Clery. It was begun by French troops in December, 1914, and was known to the French by the name of Ferme Caudron.  It was taken over by British troops in August, 1915, and used until July 1916.  After the war when graves were concentrated his body was removed and reinterred in Cerisy-Gailly Cemetery where he now rests. 

His death was reported in the Liverpool Daily Post on 14th July 1916

WHITTAKER - June 27, killed in action, age 22 years, Private William J. Whittaker, the eldest and dearly-beloved son of Mr and Mrs W. J. Whittaker, 46 Earlsfield Road, Wavertree.

Soldiers Effects to his father William J., Pension to his mother Agnes Russell.

William is commemorated on the Cunard Memorial panels situated within Liverpool Parish Church,  Our Lady and St Nicholas Church.

William's brother Archibald Whittaker served in the King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private 26182 and in the Royal Engineers as 256820, earning the Victory and British War Medals.

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