Corporal Alfred Whittam.
10708 2nd East Lancashire Regiment.
Died of wounds 2nd December 1915, aged 22.
Alfred was baptised on the 3rd May 1893 in Burnley, the son of Alfred Whittam and Emma Jane Hillman. They were living at 27 Robinson St, Burnley at the time of his baptism and his father’s occupation was as a stoker. In the 1901 census the family had moved to 14 Sandhurst St, Burnley. Alfred 37 born in Burnley, Emma Jane 35 born in Tavistock, Devon, Lawrence 14 farm labourer, Mary Ann 13, Lily 9, Alfred 7, Wilfred 1 and Fred Whittam Alfred senior’s brother 15.
Alfred’s father died in the Dec quarter of 1901 in Burnley aged 37 and his mother re-married Thomas Walsh in the Dec quarter of 1905 in Burnley.
By the time of the 1911 the family were living at 12 Laycock St, Burnley. Tom 45 iron moulder, Jane 45, Kitty Walsh 4, Lily Whittam 19 weaver and Alfred 17 a warehouse boy.
From the Burnley News dated 15th of December 1915: KILLED AT BREAKFAST. BURNLEY SOLDIER HIT BY A SHELL.
News has just been received by his mother, who resides at 12 Laycock Street Burnley, of the death in France of Lance Corporal Alfred Whittam, second East Lancashire Regiment, on December 2nd. The deceased soldier who was 22 years of age, had been in the army for four or five years karma and was in South Africa when war broke out, but shortly after went to France, where he had been through a lot of severe fighting. He was granted a furlough a few weeks ago, when he came home, returning to the firing line on the 20th of last month.
The circumstances of his death are narrated in the following letter from Lance Corporal Bradley, "B" Company, 2nd East Lancashire Regiment, a friend of the deceased: " I regret to inform you that your son Lance Corporal Whittam, met with his death on the morning of 2nd December. About 9 a.m. He was having breakfast along with two of his section, when the Germans sent a shell into the trench which caught the unlucky party. Alf only lived about half an hour after it happened, and his two companions were severely wounded. I am sending some beads and photographs he had on him to his mother."
A further letter has been received from the army chaplain, expressing sympathy with the bereaved relatives, along with a parcel containing the Dead soldiers belongings.
Lance Corporal Whittam was well known in the Fulledge District. He formerly attended St Catherine's Church, and the news of his death will be received with much regret. He has a brother, a gunner in the artillery, who is also in France.
From The Express and Advertiser dated 2nd December 1916: IN MEMORIAM.
WHITTAM. In loving memory of Corporal Alfred Whittam, 2nd East Lancashire Regiment, who was killed in France on December 2nd 1915, aged 22 years.
Hearts that have loved him can never forget.
From father, mother, sisters and brothers, 12 Laycock Street Burnley.
Lived at 12 Laycock Street.
Alfred left his effects to his mother Emma.
Alfred was buried in White City Cemetery, France: Grave Ref; A.1.
