Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Clifford Whiteley, one of 6 children of whom only 3 survived, was the eldest of 3 sons. His parents Harry Whiteley and Clara Illingworth were born at Wakefield, Yorkshire in 1868 and 1875 respectively, where they were married in 1895. Clifford was born in 1897, William Illingworth September 12th 1900, in 1901 they were living at 114, South Street, Wakefield, where Harry was employed as an iron turner and fitter, Harry Norman was born in 1902.
Harry Whiteley was prosecuted for debt, to the point that he was sentenced, and being unable to pay, had served time at H.M.P. Wakefield at least 7 times. This must have led to his wife’s decision to leave Yorkshire as in 1911 she is listed with her sons, employed as a housekeeper in the home of widower William Taylor of Sunny Brow, Willington, County Durham. She had also taken the step of listing herself as single and her boys as illegitimate. Clifford (14) was already employed at the colliery on the screening belt above ground, removing the last bits of coal before it was tipped onto the pit heap, his brothers, 10 and 8, were scholars.
During the hostilities of WW1 Clifford enlisted and was assigned firstly as Gunner 2471 132nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery of the New Armies which was broken up January 25th 1917, at which point he was transferred as Gunner 771112 to the 315th Brigade Royal Field Artillery. The 315th Brigade was a 2nd Line Territorial Force attached to the 63rd (2nd Northumbrian) Division, as of February 1917.
Gunner 771112 Clifford Whiteley was killed in action, November 30th 1918 and interred at Grevellers British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, 3 kilometres west of Bapaume, grave XVIII. B. 5. He was 21 years of age and single.
His mother as sole beneficiary received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal, sent to her at the new address of 35, Front Row, off Victoria Road, Waldeck, Leeds. She commissioned at a cost of 15 shillings 5 pence an additional inscription to be added to her son’s military headstone, it reads, “A Mother’s Sacrifice A County’s Gain-Thy Will Be Done MATT. XXVI. 42.”
William Illingworth Whiteley joined the Royal Navy and served on the Ganges as of November 16th 1916, service number J62982. Post WW1 he was married in 1921 at Portsmouth to Katherine Millard. His career in the Royal Navy continued until October 12th 1928, Victory 1, he re-enlisted May 3rd 1929, Victory 2 and last served Victory 1-3 until September 9th 1930. William Illingworth Whiteley died at Portsmouth, Hampshire in 1979 aged 79 years.
Harry Norman Whiteley married Rose Bramma at Leeds, Yorkshire in 1928 where he died aged 61 years in 1964.
Clara Whiteley nee Illingworth also died at Leeds in 1940 aged 65 years.
The CWGC have listed Christopher with the rank of Driver, the Register of Soldiers Effects and his Medal Card state his rank as Gunner.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Clifford Whiteley is remembered at Cornsay at C116.01 and at Satley on S116.01
