Old Whittington One Place Study

TODAY WE REMEMBER TWO MEN FROM OLD WHITTINGTON WHO DIED ON 15TH SEPTEMBER 1916.

William Henry Bestwick aged 29 years

Charles Gordon Hemstock ages 24 years

Both men are commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial France.

I have already completed my research into the life of Charles Hemstock and it can be found at https://oldwhittingtonops.com/hemstock-charles-gordon/

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Clarence Hewitt and Herbert Widdowson

Just posted my research into Clarence’s life. Managed to find a very grainy photograph in the Derbyshire Courier.

I have also posted a photo of Herbert Widdowson, hopefully can start researching Herbert’s life shortly.

derbyshirecourier 16th dec 1916

hwiddowson[1]

A descendant of Herbert’s who has compiled a family history (Gordon Richards) has contacted me and has kindly shared his family knowledge of Herbert and I have updated the webpage https://oldwhittingtonops.com/gaunt-herbert/

He also sent me a newspaper cutting with a photograph. The photo is on https://oldwhittingtonops.com/photos-of-the-men/

We remember two men from Whittington who died 100 years ago today on 18th September 1918.

George Straw buried in Villers Hill British Cemetery was 24 years old.

Frederick Walker buried in Templeux le Guerard British cemetery was 21 years old.

William Henry Bestwick aged 29 years

Charles Gordon Hemstock ages 24 years

Both men are commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial France.

I have already completed my research into the life of Charles Hemstock and it can be found at https://oldwhittingtonops.com/hemstock-charles-gordon/

I have just finished researching the life of Fred Harle and his story can be read at

Fred is one of five men who are only listed on the Brushes Memorial and not included on the Memorial near the Revolution House.

If any descendants of Fred would like to add any family stories or photos then please contact me it would be great to hear from you.

Men of Old Whittington who died between 1914-1918.

Norman Dennison 3 September 1916

Fred Harle 4 September 1916

Wm Hy Bestwick 15 September 1916

C G Hemstock 15 September 1916

W Hy Reynold 16 September 1916

George Straw 18 September 1918

Fredk Walker 18 September 1918

Kenneth Eveleigh 19 September 1918

Christopher Loomes 25 September 1918

Hy Higginbottom 26 September 1918

Horace Lewis 26 September 1917

Harry Taylor 26 September 1917

H Pollendine 27 September 1916

Wm Leslie Gaunt 28 September 1917

Harry Adams 30 September 1917

WE SHALL KEEP THE FAITH (Moira Michael Nov 1918)

Oh! you who sleep in Flanders Fields, Sleep sweet – to rise anew! We caught the torch you threw And holding high, we keep the Faith With All who died.

We cherish, too, the poppy red That grows on fields where valor led; It seems to signal to the skies That blood of heroes never dies, But lends a lustre to the red Of the flower that blooms above the dead In Flanders Fields.

And now the Torch and Poppy Red We wear in honour of our dead. Fear not that ye have died for naught; We’ll teach the lesson that ye wrought In Flanders Fields.

I have just completed my research on Herbert Gaunt who lived in Kilburn, although his family lived in Old Whittington.

His younger brother William also died in WW1 and both stories are now on this website.

Both brothers are listed on Old Whittington and the Brushes War Memorials.

Oh! you who sleep in Flanders Fields,
Sleep sweet – to rise anew!
We caught the torch you threw
And holding high, we keep the Faith
With All who died.

We cherish, too, the poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led;
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies,
But lends a lustre to the red
Of the flower that blooms above the dead
In Flanders Fields.

And now the Torch and Poppy Red
We wear in honour of our dead.
Fear not that ye have died for naught;
We’ll teach the lesson that ye wrought
In Flanders Fields.