William Francis Whitehead

William Francis Whitehead was born in 1897 at Nottingham and was the son of William John a timber labourer and Sarah Ann Whitehead née Allen of 19, Washington St., Colwich St., Nottingham. 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 at Nottingham and went on to have 9 children, 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 all were born Nottingham. In the 1911 census the family are living at 33 Washington Street, Nottingham and are shown as William John Whitehead 48 yrs a timber labourer, he is living with 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 is the address William gave when discharged from the Army.

He was a town carter upon enlistment.

33 Washington Street, Nottingham

William Francis Whitehead enlisted at Nottingham on 14th July 1915, he was 19 yrs and 1 month, his address was 33 Washington Street, Nottingham, his occupation was that of a town carter and his next of kin was his father William John Whitehead of the same address. He was posted to the Sherwood Foresters. He landed in France on 6th March 1916 and was wounded in action a gun shot wound to his left elbow. He was returned to England on 22nd September 1916 and promoted to Lance Corporal. He was discharged from the army, no longer fit for active service on 9th October 1917 and issued with a silver war badge 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)