Whitham Ormerod

 

Private 20153
2nd Bn, East Lancashire Regiment

Whitham was the son of the late John and Mary Ormerod, of 38 Hufling Lane, Burnley, Lancashire.

At the time of the 1901 Census he was living with his parents and siblings at 24 Hufling Lane, Burnley. The details of his family at the time of this census were as follows.

Dwelling:

24 Hufling Lane

Census Place:

Burnley, Lancashire, England

Source:

PRO Ref RG13; Piece 3869; Folio 164; Page 22

Marr

Age

Sex

Birthplace

John ORMEROD

M

63

M

Lancs Worsthorne

Rel:

Occ:

Head

Railway Platelayer (Worker)

Mary ORMEROD

M

46

F

Lancs Cliviger

Rel:

Wife

Mary ORMEROD

S

18

F

Lancs Cliviger

Rel:

Occ:

Daughter

Cotton Weaver (Worker)

Annie ORMEROD

S

16

F

Lancs Cliviger

Rel:

Occ:

Daughter

Underclothing Machinist Shirt (Worker)

Alice ORMEROD

S

14

F

Lancs Cliviger

Rel:

Occ:

Daughter

Cotton Weaver (Worker)

Elizabeth ORMEROD

S

12

F

Lancs Burnley

Rel:

Occ:

Son

Cotton Weaver

William ORMEROD S 7 M

Lancs Burnley

Rel:: Son
Whitham ORMEROD S 4 M

Lancs Burnley

Rel: Son

Whitham died on 26 October 1916, and is buried in Grove Town Cemetery, Méaulte, France (Grave Ref. II. B. 37).

The British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards record that he'd served on the Western Front from 22 December 1915.

From September 1916 until April 1917, the 34th and 2/2nd London Casualty Clearing Stations were established at this point, known to the troops as Grove Town, to deal with casualties from the Somme battlefields

In British Battalions on the Somme, Ray Westlake records the activities of 2nd Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment, in the months before Whitham's death.

"[The Battalion formed part of] 24th Brigade, 23rd and 8th Divisions: Arrived Dernancourt (4/7). Moved forward to Patch Alley in preparation for attack on Contalrnaison (6/7). Advancing from Shelter Wood at 10.15 a.m. (7/7) there would be stiff opposition from Peake and Bailiff Woods. Later "B" and "C" Companies worked around to the east of Peake Wood and entered southern end of vi1lage. Forced to withdraw after strong counter attacks on right and left. At Patch Alley by 4 p.m. To Birch Tree Trench and Shelter Alley at 10 p.m. (8/7) Revieved (10/7) and began march to Bresle - arriving (12/7). Casualties during Contalmaison operations - 277. Entrained for Fouquereuil and Béthune sector (16/7). There rejoined 8th Division. (24th Brigade had transferred from the 8th to the 23rd Division in October 1915). Entrained at Fouquereuil for Pont-Remy (14/10), from there via Méaulte to Montauban. To trenches Lesboeufs-Gueudecourt Line (18/10). Attack on Mild Trench 2.30 p.m. (23/10) - "A" and "D" Companies carrying and holding objective. Communication trenches dug back to Shine Trench. Withdrew to Montauban (30/10). Casualties - 194."

Whitham's obituary appeared in The Burnley News on 4 November 1916. Under the heading "Burnley Scout Killed: Official News of Death from Wounds" it stated that:

"Official intimation has been received of the death from wounds, on October 26th, of Private Whitham Ormerod, 2nd East Lancs., of 38 Hufling-lane, Burnley. It was reported that he had sustained a gunshot wound in the left leg. Only nineteen years of age, he "joined up" in April of last year, prior to which he was a pit surface worker for Messrs. Brooks and Brooks. Private Ormerod was connected with St. Stephen's Church and Sunday school, and was a member of St. Stephen's troop of Boy Scouts."

The Soldiers Died in the Great War Database records that Whitham Ormerod was born and resided in Burnley. He enlisted in the Army in Nelson, and died of wounds on 26 October 1916.

Whitham's grave in Grove Town Cemetery, Méaulte
Transloy Ridges - Trench Map