William Ernest Wheelhouse
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
William was the son of John Henry and Miriam Wheelhouse nee Guy. John and Miriam were probably married in 1895 (J/F/M Nottingham) and according to the 1911 census had had seven children of whom six were still living at the time of the 1911 Census. However, eight children were named on the census of 1901 and 1911 and there are discrepancies in the children's ages on each census, Leonard's in particular: John, Jenny Elizabeth b. 27 June 1889 (J/A/S Nottingham-Guy), William Ernest b. 1892 (J/A/S Nottingham), Mabel Guy b. 1894 (J/A/S Nottingham), Harry b. abt. 1897, Laurence b. 1897 (O/N/D Nottingham-Guy), Leonard Ernest b. 1900 and Marshall b. 2 October 1902 (O/N/D Nottingham-Guy). Other research has identified that he was the half-brother of Florence Chance. In 1901 John (32) a painter, Miriam (39) were living at 13 Snow Hill, Nottingham. with their children John (13), Jenny (11), William (9), Mabel (7), Harry (4) and Leonard (9 months). In 1911 the family home was at 22 Richmond Street, Nottingham. John was now working as a paper hanger and his wife Miriam was a lace worker. Six of their chlldren were in the home on the night of the census: John (23) a labourer, William (19) a carter, Mabel (17) a lace worker, Laurence (13) a lace dresser, Leonard (9) and Marshall (8). John and Miriam later lived at 2 Kingston Terrace, Beaumont Street, Nottingham (CWGC) Of William's siblings John (Jack) also served and was reported missing in 1917 but later found to be a prisoner of war. Jenny Elizabeth married Arthur William Jackson in 1910 (A/M/J Nottingham) and in 1911 they were living at 4 Alexandra Cottages, Beeston, with their son Arthur William (6m). Arthur served in the Sherwood Foresters (22872 Private) but transferred to the Machine Gun Corps (Inf) and was killed in action on 28 April 1917 (Arras Memorial). Jenny married secondly Ernest Rushworth (b. 31 October 1894) in 1920 (A/M/J Nottingham) and in 1939 they were living in Nottingham with their son Ernest A. b. 26 April 1923 and Mabel (later Rhodes) b. 23 December 1924. Jenny died on 16 February 1971. Mabel probably married (Smith). Harry has not been traced after 1901. Leonard Ernest attested on 20 June 1918; he was then living with his parents at 2 Kingston Terrace, Sneinton. He was 18 years old and working as a bricklayer. He was posted to the Notts & Derby Regiment (52727 Private) on 9 July 1918 and demobilized on 21 January 1919 to 2 Kingston Terrace. An undated letter from his former employer (Nottingham Patent Brick Co. Ltd, office at 14 George Street, Nottingham) confirmed that the company was prepared to offer him employment on his return to civil life; Leonard was at that time attached to 'E' Company and based at Clipstone Camp (11 Hut, 6th Lines). Leonard married Mary Ellen Young in 1925 (O/N/D Nottingham) and in 1939 were living at 5 Girlby Terrace, Nottingham. Leonard (b. 12 June 1900) was a builder's labourer while Nellie (sic) (b. 27 November 1905) was a housewife. Leonard died on 9 February 1984 aged 83. Lawrence served in the 1st Bn Sherwood Foresters (4710 Private) and was killed in action on 30 January 1915 aged 18 (Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy). (See record on this Roll of Honour). Marshall married Annie Tomlinson (b. 15 April 1900) in 1925 (A/M/J Nottingham and in 1939 they were living at Trent Lane Pump House, Nottingham. Marshall was a foreman for Cannings MFG and Annie was a cardboard box maker. Marshall died on 19 April 1983; the probate record gave his address as 49 Peacock Crescent, Clifton.
Medal Roll: William E (Ernest) Wheelhouse, Theatre, France, date of entry 27 December 1915. Qualified for the Victory and British Medals and 1915 Star. Army service record survives: Attested 20 July 2014. Age at enlistment 19, b. abt 1895, occupation (-) maker. Appointed N&D Rgt Spec Res. Awarded 14 days FP (Field Punishment) No 2 for not complying with an order and stating a falsehood, awarded 10 days FP No 2 for absent from parade, granted leave 25/12/15-1/1/16, awarded 7 days FP No 2 15/5 for hesitating to obey an order. He was killed in action on 8 June 1916 and was buried in the Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy, France (memorial IX. C. 32.)
William Ernest Wheelhouse was born in Nottingham J/A/S/1892 (Free BMD and the 1911 Census) so he must have been 22 on enlistment not 19. Nottingham Evening Post, 30 December 1909: ‘Brutal Husband. Three months for a Nottm. Man. For assaulting his wife, John Wheelhouse, painter, of 22, Richmond-street, Nottingham, was sentenced by the local magistrates to-day to three months imprisonment. Marian (sic) Wheelhouse, the prosecutrix, said that on Monday the prisoner struck her on the face with a hammer, and punched her several times. Her nose and er were cut, and she had two bad black eyes, medical attention being necessary.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour' (abridged) 13 July 1916: 'Private W Wheelhouse, Sherwood Foresters, 2 Kingston Terrace, Nottingham, killed 8th June age 24. Brother of L Wheelhouse killed January 30th 1915, aged 18.' Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 8 June 1917: ‘Wheelhouse. In loving memory of my dear son, Pte William Wheelhouse, killed in action June 8th, 1916. Days of sadness still come o’er us, tears of sorrow often flow, memory keeps our loved one near us, whom God claimed one year ago. Loving mother, father, his baby Miriam, brother Jack (missing).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 8 June 1917: ‘Wheelhouse. In loving memory of my dear son, brother, Pte. William Wheelhouse, killed in action June 8th, 1916. His memory, like the ivy, clings. His sister. Jenny and children.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 8 June 1917: ‘Wheelhouse. In loving memory of my dear brother, Pte William Wheelhouse, killed in action June 8th, 1916. Too dearly loved to be forgotten. From loving sister Mabel, and Bill, brother Leonard and Marshall.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
