Photo: Pauline Priano
Ypres Reservoir Cemetery: Pauline Priano
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Robert William Wharton, known as William, was the only son of Robert Wharton of Winlaton, near Blaydon born 1846 and Margaret Walker born 1850, native of Sunderland, both in County Durham and where they were married, April 12th 1874. William was born in 1875 and his only sister Mary Elizabeth in 1879, unfortunately their father Robert, a coal miner/shifter, was one of 164 men and boys killed at 2.20 a.m. September 8th 1880 whilst working below ground at Seaham Colliery. A huge explosion ripped through the mine caused by the ignition of coal dust either by a safety lamp or shot firing. Robert was 35 years of age, his family at the time were living at Blue House, Hendon, however, they had moved to 18, White House Row by 1881. Elizabeth received an annuity in order to support her children aged only 5 and 2 years. Margaret did not remarry immediately, ten years later living at 20, The Green, Bishopwearmouth, she was surviving by her own means with the help of William (15) employed as a coal miner, his sister (12) was a scholar. In 1892 she did remarry in the district of Sunderland to widower Joseph Moore who had 3 grown children of his own. in 1901 they were living at 32, Milburn Street, Sunderland, Mary Wharton is listed as his step-daughter, also living with them were Mary and James William Wharton, Margaret’s niece and nephew.
October 29th 1900, William Wharton was married in the district of Sunderland to local girl, Jessie Hannah Allard, born April 9th 1880, with whom he had 8 children , Florence was born prior to their marriage, August 18th 1900, Rodger, January 1st 1903, William Jnr, March 22nd 1905, Arthur, September 12th 1906, Margaret 1908, Ernest, August 24th 1911 and Jessie, October 28th 1914 just after the outbreak of war with Germany. William had left the coal industry and after his marriage became a butcher selling American meat, running the business from his own home at 30, Gladstone Street in 1901 and 38, Dundas Street in 1911.
He was attested for military service at Sunderland, December 5th 1915, aged 40 years and 1 month, August 10th 1916 William was mobilised and posted to the Army Reserve as Private 5827. September 1st 1916 he transferred as Private 10125 to the 1/5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry a Territorial Force destined for service overseas which had landed in France, April 18th 1915.
He joined his regiment in the field during its engagement at the final Battles on the Somme at Prue Trench and High Wood, September 1916, after its withdrawal from the Ypres salient. At the conclusion of the Battles of the Somme the regiment was moved to the Arras sector and he would have received the news that his wife, who was pregnant at the time of his departure, had given birth to a son, Norman, January 18th 1917.
His regiment fought during the Battle of Arras, April 9th-May 16th 1917, returning to Belgium in the October participating during the 3rd Battle of Ypres, July 30th-November 10th 1917, after which they spent another winter in the mud filled trenches.
Having risen through the ranks and given a new serial number, the now Corporal 201301 Robert William Wharton was killed in action, December 12th 1917 and interred at Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, grave IV. B. 7. He was 42 years of age.
His widow received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and their children also his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal, sent to her at Dundas Street, Monkwearmouth, County Durham.
Jessie Hannah Wharton nee Allard never remarried, in 1939 she is listed living alone at 42, Dundas Street and died in 1947 aged 67 years, registered in the district of Sunderland, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
The following has been received from Peter Wharton:
William Wharton was my grandfather. My father whose name was Norman, was born 18/01/1917 and was 11 months old when his father was killed. My father joined the Royal Navy in 1935 and while stationed in Liverpool met and married my mam in 1942. After 12 years service he joined the Merchant Navy. Unfortunately he contacted T.B. and died on the 6th October 1954 aged 37. Its ironic that the three of them died at such a young age.
Robert William Wharton is remembered at Sunderland in S140.048 Part 02
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 331
