Stanley St. Andrew's Churchyard

The headstone reads:-

In loving memory of
Roland Valentine
the beloved son of
Isabelle and the late
John Whisker
who departed this life
June 30th 1921 aged 24 years

Also Samuel
Son of the above
Who departed this life
Sep 23rd 1929 aged 36 years
As a result of injuries
Received in the Great War.

Dorothy Hall submits the following information:-

13394 Corporal Samuel Whisker served with the 10th Battalion the Durham Light Infantry.

Samuel was the son of John and Isabella Whisker. In 1911 they were living at 8 Shafto Terrace, Shield Row, Stanley and Samuel was employed as a Rope lad at the local colliery.

His service records do not survive however he embarked for France 21st May 1915. He was awarded a Silver Badge in August 1919 and was discharged the next month. Samuel married Mary Scanlon in late 1919 and a daughter Joan was born in 1920.

His brother Roland Valentine also served in the War and died of his injuries.

Neither brother is remembered on a local War Memorial.