James Aaron Wheat
1911 - bobbin spinner.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
James Aaron Wheat was the son of Charles and Lucy Wheat (née Stanley).
Both his parents were born in Nottingham, Charles in about 1876 and Lucy in 1874 (1939 Register). They were married in 1893 (reg. Nottingham) and had three sons, Charles Henry birth reg. 1894 (JFM) bap. Nottingham St Paul 4 December 1893 (sic); James Aaron birth reg. 1896 (JFM) bap. Notingham St Barnabus RC 8 March 1896, and William Frederick b. 1897 (JAS) bap. Nottingham St Catherine 9 November 1898.
The addresses on the baptismal registers were: 1894, 8 Carey's Place; 1896, 8 Cairns Yard, off York Street; 1898, Smith's Yard.
Charles Wheat snr. has not yet been traced on the 1901 Census but his wife Lucy was recorded at 37 Victoria Street, Nottingham, as Lucy Sulley (25), married, occupation lace clipper (at home). She was living with Frederick Sulley (33 b. 1867, Arnold) married, a coal hewer. In the home were her children Charles Wheat (7), Aaron Wheat (5) and Frederick Wheat (3), and her son by Frederick Sulley, Albert (1).
According to the 1921 Census, Frederick and Lucy had nine children, one of whom had died. Birth registrations have been traced for eight children, surname Wheat, mother's maiden name Stanley, registered Nottingham. Most of the children had 'Sulley' as a second name: Albert Sulley b. 1900 (AMJ), Lucy b. 1903 (AMJ) and her twin Walter who died in 1905 (JFM) aged one year, William Sulley b. 1905 (JAS), Hilda Sulley birth reg. 1908 (JFM), Sarah Ann S. b. 1910 (AMJ) and possibly also known as Margaret or Susan; Rosetta [Rose] S. b. 1912 (OND) and Alice S. b. 1917 (AMJ). Another daughter, Mary aged 6 (abt. 1915), is recorded on the 1921 Census, but the registration of her birth has not yet been traced. Another son, Frederick WS Wheat, who was born in August 1922 (AMJ Nottingham, Stanley).
By 1911 Lucy Wheat (37), married, head of household and giving her occupation as 'housekeeper' was living at 53 Oldham Street, Nottingham. In the home on the night of the census were Frederick Sulley (43), single, general labourer, Lucy's three sons, Charles (17), an out of work litho printer, James Aaron (15) and William Frederick (13) who were both bobbin spinners, and her five children by Frederick Sulley; Albert Sulley and Lucy Sulley-sic, who were school age, William Sulley (5), Hilda Sulley (3) and Margaret (sic) Sulley (1),
There is a record on the 1911 Census of a Charles Wheat (34), widower (sic), occupation fruit hawker (own account), who was a boarder at 2 Radcliffe Row, Coalpit Lane, Nottingham, in the household of a widow, Jane Mather (34), a lace clipper (at home), and her five children, Lillian (16) an errand girl, Adelaide, Harry and William who were school age, and Louisa (3).
Frederick and Lucy were living at 148 Clarence Terrace, Nottingham, in 1921; surname incorrectly transcribed as 'Salley'. Both Frederick and Lucy ['Lucy, Mrs Sulley'] were described as 'married'and as 'father' and 'mother'; Frederick was a lace dresser and Lucy's occupation was given as 'home duties'. In the home on the night of the census were Lucy's surviving son, Charles Wheat, an out of work miner, whose relationship to Frederick Sulley was given as stepson, and Lucy and Frederick's children who now used the surname Sulley: Albert (21) employed by the GPO, Lucy (18) employer Skinner & Rook, Billy (William) (15) no occupation, Hilda (13), Susan [?Sarah Ann] (11) and Rose (8) who were all school age, and Mary (6) and Alice (4). Another son, Frederick, was born the following year.
Charles Wheat snr. has not yet been traced on the 1921 Census, but may have died in 1943.
In 1939 the widowed Lucy Wheat (b. 5 November 1874) was living at 133 Seinton Boulevard with three of her children: Albert Sulley, married (not identified), an iron foundry labourer, Rosetta Sulley, single, a domestic servant and Fred (Frederick William) Sulley, single, iron foundry core maker.
Lucy Wheat may have died in 1945
Private James Aaron Wheat enlisted in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, and served with the 1/6th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment).
He was killed in action on 14 May 1917 and is buried in Maroc British Cemetery, Grenay, France (grave ref. II. P. 24).
CWGC history of Maroc British Cemetery (extract): the village of Grenay is about 15km from the town of Bethune. 'The cemetery was begun by French troops in August 1915, but it was first used as a Commonwealth cemetery by the 47th (London) Division in January 1916. During the greater part of the war it was a front-line cemetery used by fighting units and field ambulances, and protected from German observation by a slight rise in the ground. Plot II was begun in April 1917 by the 46th (North Midland) Division and by the middle of October 1918, Plot III, Row A and part of Row B, had been filled.' (www.cwgc.org)
His brother, Pte. William Frederick Wheat, 26th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, was killed in action on 7th December 1916, aged 19. He is buried in Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria, Greece. (See record on this Roll of Honour)
CWGC Additional information: Son of Mrs. Lucy Wheat, of 14, Clarence Terrace, Clarence St., Nottingham.
CWGC headstone personal inscription: Gone but not forgotten from mother, father, brothers and sisters.