No.8839, Private, George WHEATON
Aged 28
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George William Wheaton was born in Bottisham in 1886 (Newmarket Q2-1893 3B:534), son of George William and Elizabeth Esther WHEATON (née LONG).
1891 census...Aged 5, he was at Town Street, Bottisham with his father George W. WHEATON [33] blacksmith, born Swaffham Bulbeck; his mother Elizabeth [29] born Landbeach; sisters Elizabeth A [11] and Fanny M [7] both born in Landbeach and Sarah A [2 months] born in Bottisham; brother Arthur J [2] born in Bottisham. 1901 census...Aged 15, a farm labourer, he was in Town Street, Bottisham with his parents, brother Arthur and sister Sarah Ann, plus brothers Albert Edward [6] and Frederick Charles [6 months] and sister Charlotte Emma [4] all born in Bottisham. 1911 census...George was not found in this census, but he was very likely in the Army. His number indicates joining around 1904. The 3rd Worcesters were stationed in Dover in April 1911. His parents were still in Bottisham, with his brothers Arthur and Albert (farm labourers) sister Lottie (Charlotte) and brother Fred and 2 new sisters Emily [9] and Fanny [5] both born in Bottisham. The record shows that his mother had borne 14 children, but 5 had died by April 1911. His death was reported in the Newmarket Journal on 24th October. He had been an assistant Scout master and the Scouts were much in evidence at his memorial service in Bottisham |
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He enlisted in Cambridge.
Stationed in Tidworth at the outbreak of war, the 3rd Battalion were very soon in France, in Rouen by 16th August, part of the 7th Brigade in the 3rd Division. They had just emerged from the Retreat from Mons, and were engaged in the first battle of the Aisne, trying to force the Germans to retreat. Trench warfare was just beginning. "The 3rd Battalion were in trenches at Vailly: Intermittent and sometimes very heavy shelling. Attacked about 5:30 pm.". Vailly is 13 km NE of Soissons. The battalion had 19 killed that day, none have an identified grave, but it was some time before the Commonwealth War Grave Commission was instituted and recording burials was not properly organised. A fellow officer reported that George was killed by a bullet and they had no chance of recovering his body, which was laid in a field and covered with corn. The Newmarket Journal of 24th October reported :- KILLED IN ACTION..The sad news of the death "killed in action" of George Wheaton was received on Friday, October 10th, from the War Office. Much sympathy is felt for Mr. and Mrs. Wheaton, for George was popular in the village.He had been Assistant Scoutmaster since the formation of the local troop, and exercised a great influence over the boys, who idolised him. On Sunday evening the Boy Scouts under the direction of Scoutmaster H.E.King attended service at the church, each member wearing a white band on the left arm. Suitable hymns were used during the service, and at the close, the organist, Mr.H.E.King played the Dead March in Saul. In an address on hospitals the Vicar, the Rev. J.M.Targett, who is also Chaplain to the Scouts, paid a very high tribute to the deceased, holding him up as a pattern to he young men of the village, and wished that more would follow his example as a regular attendant at divine worship. At the Vineyards, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the flag floated at half-mast.
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
