Richard Whitlam

When war was declared he must have been one of the first in the country to volunteer. He took the oath at Worksop and placed on the reserve list of the 9th reserve cavalry Hussars of the line regiment number 17502. In June 1915 he was transferred to the East Surrey Regiment 7th Battalion, Lewis Machine Gun section. He left England for France on 23rd June 1916 and joined his Battalion on the 7th of March. His fateful say came on the 9th of April when Richard was wounded with gunshot wounds to his stomach and he died two days later on the 11 April 1917 after spending 1 year and 48 days in France. He is buried at the Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun. His personal possessions of damaged prayer book, ring, watch and strap and broken Tin Soldiers friend, were despatched on the 2nd May to his father now living in Bracebridge, Worksop. Pte Richard Whitlam Worksop Guardian 11 May 1917 News was officially communicated on Monday of the death, killed in action in France of Pte Richard Whitlam of the7th Batt. East Surreys, Lewis Machine Gun Section, son of Mr Alan Stephen Whitlam, of Bracebridge, Worksop. Pte Whitlam, who was 24 years of age, was employed before the war at Osberton. He enlisted on September the 4th 1914, a month after war broke out, and was drafted to France on February 23rd 1915. He was killed on April 11th 1917. Sincere sympathy is expressed to his parents in the loss of their gallant son. He was a well conducted young man and a brave soldier

CWG additional information:- – Son of Allan Stephen Whitlam and Hannah Whitlam of 1 Bracebridge, Cheapside, Worksop, Notts. Research by Colin Dannatt