John's Story.
Runcorn Man Killed in Action.
Well Known Athlete.
On Saturday the parents of Corporal John Whitlow, Arthur Street, we notified of the death of their son who was serving in the 1st Cheshire Regiment British Expeditionary Force in France. The telegram conveyed the sad intelligence that the young fellow was killed in action at St. Quentin The second week in September. Much regret was ex pressed when the news became known amongst his friends in Runcorn.
Corporal Whitlow was only 29 years of age and his marriage had been postponed owing to the war. He had completed eight years’ service with the 2nd battalion Cheshire regiment in India and took his discharge on completion of service at the beginning of the present year, with exemplary character. Whilst in India the deceased achieved many successes on the track, for during the service in Madras, Secunderabad, Jubbulpool, Bombay, Bangalore, and Allahabad he won over 30 medals and cups. At Bangalore he won the worlds hockey championship medal as the India 100 yards sprinting handicap and several medals for football championships. He was also the proud possessor of nine awards from the Royal Army Temperance Association. On the 5th August he answered the mobilisation call as a reservist. The deceased was identified with St. John’s Presbyterian Church Sunday School and Temperance Society. On Sunday a touching reference to his death was made from the pulpit of the church.
Runcorn Weekley News, October 9, 1914.