Joseph Whitaker. Died 25th February 1917
Joseph William Whittaker was born in Eton, Buckinghamshire from father Thomas, born in Yorkshire and mother Elizabeth Ann (nee Trigg) from Dover in Kent. From the 1901 and 1911 census records, we know Joseph was a carman and was living in Crowthorne with his elder brother Thomas.
Regards age, Joseph was a relatively senior private soldier of the Royal Berkshire Regiment, 8th Battalion. Military historian, John Chapman provides us with the details of the 8th Battalion:
“They left for France on the 7th August 1915 and were allocated to 1st Division to replace one of the Guards Battalions in 2nd Brigade. This was one of the original BEF Regular Divisions and the 8thwere expected to meet Regular standards with no allowances made for their volunteer status. They began their service in France with 27 officers and 765 other ranks. For the next two months they were in training for the forthcoming Battle of Loos, based in the Ames area. They set off on the 21st September and were in position on the 24th.
The Battle of Loos opened on September 25th and the 8th attacked Hulluch village. One platoon fought its way into the village and captured two German field guns as well as a number of machine guns. 2nd Lt Lawrence won the MC for his exploits. The casualties however were enormous. The 8th lost 493 and was reduced to 2 officers and 184 men. Many of the wounded were returned and on the 5th and 10th October, reinforcements arrived from the 9th Battalion. They attacked again on the 13th October, losing nearly another 140 men and were then withdrawn to Lillers where they spent the winter.
Their next action was on the Somme on the 14th July 1916 when they attacked the two woods at Bazentin. This was followed up by an attack on Mametz Wood on 18th August and at High Wood on September 3rd. They were withdrawn from the line on 2nd October and spent the winter and spring in and out of trenches in the Albert area”.
The information from the HMSO’s database tells us Joseph was ‘Killed In Action’ on the 25th February 1917 whilst serving the 8th Battalion, but there was little battle action taking place by them during that time. At present, without further information we therefore assume he was lost during the continuing trench warfare which took place on a daily basis. Living in Crowthorne near the time of his death, Joseph was 38 years old.
Here is the record from ‘Soldiers Died’ (HMSO):
Name: Joseph William Whittaker
Birth Place: Eton, Bucks
Residence: Crowthorne, Berks
Death Date: 25 Feb 1917
Death Location: France & Flanders
Enlistment Location: Reading
Rank: Private
Regiment: Princess Charlotte of Wales’s (Royal Berkshire Regiment)
Battalion: 8th Battalion
Number: 31398
Type of Casualty: Killed in action
Theatre of War: Western European Theatre
Here is the record from the CWGC:
Rank: Private Service No: 31398
Date of Death: 25/02/1917
Regiment/Service: Royal Berkshire Regiment 8th Battalion.
Panel Reference Pier and Face 11 D.
Memorial THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Ellis Road, Crowthorne, with brother Thomas Whitaker.
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