John's Story.
I would like to take advantage of my connection to cheshireroll to put a family to this lad. Recent research of my wife’s family, it is now understood that my wife’s father, Arthur Whittle, is John’s brother, making John my wife’s Uncle. John is remembered on the headstone of another brother who died in 1917 the same year as John had been killed.
Loving Memory
Willie
Dearly loved son of Geo. & E. Whittle
Who died 5th April 1917, aged 4 years
“Safe in the hands of Jesus.”
Also Pte. John Whittle (11th Cheshires)
brother of the above, Killed In Action 24th Oct. 1917
while attending the wounded at Vimy Ridge, France,
Aged 25 years
“His Duty Noble Done.”
His mother and father are also buried in the same grave. John is also remembered on the WW1 Memorial in Mill Lane Hospital now the Victoria Central Health Centre, Liscard, Wallasey, with 1438 names recorded.
George, father, enlisted in WW1, his service documents are available, at the age of 39, posted with the Royal Irish Rifles, 28th Dec. 1915 but discharged when it became obvious that he would never become an efficient soldier, 28/3/16. His Service No was 3/5333. His home address was on Lancaster Avenue, Liscard.
Bob Heaton