William Francis Whitehead
He was a town carter upon enlistment.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
William Francis was born in 1897 at Nottingham and was the son of William John and Sarah Ann Whitehead (née Allen).
His father William John was born in 1863 at Nottingham and his mother Sarah Ann Allen was born in 1867 also at Nottingham. They were married in 1885 (reg. Nottingham) and had nine children who were born in Nottingham; sadly two died in infancy or early childhood. Their surviving children were, Eliza b1887, Sarah Ann b1889, May Emma b1892, Mabel b1893, William Francis b1897, Lily b1899 and Hilda b1906 whoborn Nottingham.
In the 1911 census the family was living at 33 Washington Street, Nottingham and shown as William John Whitehead 48 yrs a timber labourer, his wife Sarah Ann 44 yrs and their children, Sarah Ann 22 yrs a lace dresser, May Emma 19 yrs a lace dresser, Mabel 18 yrs a cotton doubler, William 14 yrs a printer, Lily 12 yrs a scholar and Hilda 5 yrs.
The family later lived at 19 Washington Street, Nottingham and this was the address William gave when discharged from the Army.
William Francis Whitehead enlisted at Nottingham on 14th July 1915. He was aged 19 yrs and 1 month, address 33 Washington Street, Nottingham, occupation town carter. His next of kin was his father William John Whitehead of the same address.
William was posted to the Sherwood Foresters and landed in France on 6th March 1916. He was wounded in action - a gun shot wound to his left elbow - and medically evacuated to England on 22nd September 1916. He was later promoted Lance Corporal. He was discharged from the Army, no longer fit for active service, on 9th October 1917 and issued with Silver War Badge No. 137547.
William died in Nottingham General Hospital on 17th January 1920 from tetanus following an accident. At the inquest on 20 January the coroner recorded a verdict of 'accidental death'. William was buried in Nottingham General Cemetery on 23 January with full military honours. He is commemorated on the screen wall (03251).
Report, Nottingham Evening Post, 20 January 1920: ‘Nottm. Labourer killed by a nail. A labourer named William Francis Whitehead, 23, of Washington-street, Nottingham, stepped on a piece of board and a nail went through the sole of his boot into his foot. Tetanus set in, and he died in the General Hospital. ‘Accidental death’ was the verdict at the inquest to-day.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Report, Nottingham Evening Post, 23 January 1920:’Sherwood Forester’s Funeral in Nottingham. The funeral of Lance-Corpl. WF Whitehead, of Washington-street, late of the 17th Sherwood Foresters took place at the Nottingham General Cemetery to-day. The pipe band, firing party, and buglers were drawn from the 51st Battalion Gordon Highlanders, Clipstone Camp, under the command of Lieut. J Rose.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In memoriam’, 17 January 1921. Whithead. In loving memory of my dear son, William Francis Whitehead, died January 17th, 1920. Sleeping. Mother, sisters, brothers-in-law, Mr and Mrs Betteridge.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
William Francis Whitehead
Nottingham General Cemetery, CWGC screen wall commemorations. Photograph courtesy of Peter Gillings
William Francis Whitehead
The screen wall memorial at the Nottingham General Cemetery, courtesy of Peter Gillings