No.77766, Private, Jonathan WHITMORE
Aged 19
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Jonathan Whitmore was born in Swaffham Prior on 18th October 1899 (Newmarket Q4-1899 3B:504), baptised in St Mary's Swaffham Prior on 17th November 1899,
son of George and Sarah Ann WHITMORE (née HEFFER).
1901 census...Aged 1, he was at the High Street, Swaffham Prior with his father George WHITMORE [45] carpenter's labourer; his mother Sarah A [36], half brother George W. HEFFER [11] born Exning; sisters Heffer B. WHITMORE [8] and Annie M. [3] born Swaffham Bulbeck and brother Charles [6]. All except George HEFFER and Annie were born in Swaffham Prior. 1911 census...Aged 11, he was at High Street, Swaffham Prior with his parents, half brother George, railway porter, (now recorded as George WHITMORE, born Newmarket Union Workhouse) brother Charles (farm labourer)and sister Annie and a new brother, William [7] born Swaffham Prior |
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He enlisted in Cambridge.
The 17th Royal Fusiliers were part of the 6th Brigade, 2nd Division and took part in the Battle of the Sambre 1st to 11th November, including the last two raids made by the division on 1st and 2nd November. By this time the Germans seemed to be retreating faster that the Allies could advance. On Armistice Day the battalion were at Preux-au-Sart, N.E. of Le Quesnoy. Jonathan was the last but one of the battalion to be killed in action, Sgt Elliott dying on the 9th November.
photo; Pierre Vandervelden www.inmemories.com click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
