3/2940 Private Austin Whittaker
7th(Service)Battalion
Yorkshire & Lancaster Regiment
29th December 1915
Born on 26/04/1894 in Heeley, Sheffield, Yorkshire, he was baptised on 30/05/1894. His parents were William Whittaker
(born in 1877) and Sarah Ann Greensmith (1869-18/06/1936). They were married on 03/07/1887.
Austin had a brother, Horace (19/04/1899-1975) 3 sisters, Lily (24/07/1891-01/04/1980), Kate Elizabeth (26/05/1903-1984)
and Sarah Ann (born on 12/09/1907).
In the 1901 census, the family were recorded as living at 166 Park Hill Lane, Sheffield. William was employed as a table knife culter.
On the 13/11/1905 Austin started school.
The 1911 census shows that the family were now living at 2H 12CT Trippet Lane , Sheffield. William was still working as a
table knife culter. Austin had now left school and was employed as a razor grinder.
Austin enlisted into the Yorkshire & Lancaster Regiment on 20/07/1914. He had his medical the same day, details as follows;
Declared Age - 20 years
Trade - Labourer
Height - 5ft 2 3/4 inches, Weight 112lbs
Chest measurement when girth fully expanded 34 inches, Range of expansion - 2 inches
Physical Development & Pulse rate - good
Eyes - Blueish Grey, Hair - Auburn
Religious Denomination - Church of England.
As Austin had enlisted before thew outbreak of war, he was required to to give references from businesses he had been
employed by. Austin was able to provide 3, details as follows;
Edward Greaves & Son - Lace Manufacturers
Employed as a lace cutter
When was he employed by you - for two years up to Sept.1912
Why did he leave you - short of work.
Mellowes & Co Ltd
Employed as a labourer
When was he employed by you - about 15 months
Why did he leave - slackness of trade.
Ben Johnson
Employed as a labourer
When was he employed by you - about 5 months
Why did he leave - only occasional employment.
All stated they believe him to be sober and honest.
The next day (21/07/1914) he was posted to the 3rd(Reserve) battalion Yorkshire & Lancashire Regiment at Pontefract.
His training over the coming months was to take place at various locations, 31/10/1914 - 26/11/1914, he was based
at Jarrow on Tyne, before moving to Harrogate until 24/05/1914 and then finally onto Farnley Park Camp Otley until 30/07/1915.
Austin earnt a promotion whilst training, on 20/02/1915, he was appointed unpaid Lance Corporal, which became
paid Lance Corporal on 16/05/1915. Unfortunately he was deprived his stripe by the C.O. for absence on 05/07/1915.
This also resulted in him losing 4 days pay on 10/07/1915.
On 30/07/1915 he was posted to 7th Battalion(Service)Battalion Yorkshire & Lancashire Regiment with whom he went to France with the same day.
Austin was killed in action on 29/12/1915.
He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.
His father was awarded a pension of 5/- a week from 10/10/1921 for life.
Horace his brother also served during the war firstly as Private 60301 West Yorkshire Regiment and then
as Private 58911 East Yorkshire Regiment. He was discharged on 11/04/1919 but returned home having had gunshot wounds
to both hands.