Name
Eric Arthur Whitaker
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/12/1915
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
15787
Bedfordshire Regiment
8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY
VI. A. 1A.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Standon War Memorial, St Mary’s Church Memorial, Standon, Puckeridge Memorial Plaque, Standon Village Hall, Standon
Biography
Eric Arthur Whitaker was a Private, No.15787 in the 8th Battalion, the Bedfordshire Regiment. He died of wounds 25th December, 1915 aged 20.
Eric was the son of Francis Henry and Emma Whitaker of the Old Bell Inn, Standon. He was the fifth child of eight, seven boys and one girl. The Whitaker family had lived locally for generations and their connection with the Bell Inn went back to at least 1871.
He is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery, Etaples, France and his grave reference is: VI. A.1A.
Emma was born near Lewes in Sussex and it is not clear how or where Francis and Emma met. Francis had followed in his father’s footsteps and had served an apprentice-ship as a carpenter and he was the second generation of Whitakers to appear on census returns as ‘Inn keeper and Carpenter’. In 1911 Eric himself, at the age of 15, was a station clerk .
He enlisted at Hertford and following training landed in France in August 1915.
The article below is from the Herts & Essex Observer of 16th December 1916:
Private Eric Arthur Whitaker, (Standon) - Had a most gratifying school career, gaining among other successes the “Old Boys Prize” at Standon Endowed School. Prior to enlisting in the Bedfordshire Regiment at the outbreak of the war he was a railway clerk at Braughing and Hadham stations respectively. In July, 1915, he went to the front and after being several times gassed was wounded in the right leg in the trenches. An officer rendered first aid and he managed to walk to the dressing station and was afterwards removed to Etaples Hospital. Here his leg was amputated, but he passed away. On the day he was wounded he wrote a cheery post card home and before he died dictated a letter for a nurse to send to his parents in which he made not the slightest reference to the extreme gravity of his condition. He faithfully discharged his duties throughout life, died nobly for his country, and now sleeps in the cemetery attached to the Etaples Hospital. He was only 20 years of age. Mr and Mrs F. Whitaker have four other sons in the Army and all on active service.
Another report of his death, this time from the Royston Crow, differs slightly from the above account but is nevertheless of interest:
"Death of Pte Eric Arthur Whitaker of Standon
Private Eric Arthur Whitaker, son of Mr. and Mrs. F.H. Whitaker, of the Bell Inn, Standon, enlisted in the 8th Beds. Regt. In September, 1914, at the commencement of the war. He had previously been a clerk in the service of the G.E.R. Company at Braughing and Hadham stations. He was reliable, conscientious, and performed his duties most efficiently, and these were his traits of character as a soldier. He had been in France four months. On the 19th ult. he was in the trenches when the enemy preceded a heavy bombardment by a gas attack. Early next morning he was seriously wounded by shrapnel in the right thigh. Some of his comrades were killed by the explosion, including Pte. Francis Oakley, who before the war lived for a time at Standon. Pte Whitaker, who was only 20 years of age, was removed to a hospital at the base, and the next day, Dec. 21st, sent an army card to his mother, stating he was wounded. Though mortally wounded his thoughts were of home, and on the 23rd another letter was sent from the hospital, in which he said “I am feeling a shade better.” With the letter was a Christmas card of kindly wishes showing his deep affection for home, and with true soldier’s courage disregarding his own sufferings. Unfortunately his leg had to be amputated, and at 6 p.m. on Christmas Day he collapsed, and gradually sank and died at 8.25. A telegram announcing his death was received from the War Office on the 28th ult. The Sister of the hospital writing the day after his death to his sorrowing parents said, “How we wished we could have sent your boy back again, we were very grieved and sad last night.” The parents have received from Lord Kitchener a message from the King assuring them of the true sympathy of His Majesty and Queen in their sorrow. Mr & Mrs Whitaker have two other sons in the Army, Edward in the 6th Beds, now in France, and Harry, who has just returned from the Front to take up the role of Instructor in the Royal Engineers. On Sunday at the Parish Church at the close of the morning service the Dead March in Saul was played on the organ while the congregation remained standing, in memory of the two Standon soldiers, Eric Arthur Whitaker and Francis Oakley, who have nobly sacrificed their lives for their country. It must be some consolation and pride to the sorrowing relatives to know that their brave lads have died for the great cause of righteousness and truth, which must ultimately triumph and bring about an era of peace."
The following is taken from the Battalion War Diary for 19th and 20th December which shows what they were dealing with. The gas mentioned was the first use by the Germans of Phosgene gas.
“19th December 1915: 5.30 a.m. Gas attack. Opened rapid fire, the Germans did not come over the parapet. Very heavy shelling, gas cleared at 7.30p.m. Telephone wires cut between companies, B company in Forward Cottage trench relieved by 1 company, 2/ York & Lancaster. Heavy shelling all day, also gas shells.
20th December 1915: Intense shelling, support trenches demolished, & relieved in evening by 2/Buffs.”
Acknowledgments
Di Vanderson, Jonty Wild
