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Rifleman John Harris Whitehead. Kings Royal Rifle Corps

M

MonsMons

Brummie babby
A pal of mine found a 1914-18 Star with the above name on it. He found it about 30 years ago when replacing a sewer pipe in Birmingham.
I’ve found out john was born in Birmingham and moved to London . He was killed in action on 21st march 1918 and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial.
The only biographical information I have is his parents were the late Arthur and Annie Whitehead.
My pal would like to find out if there any relatives still in the area and he’d be happy to return the medal to them.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Dave
 
hi and welcome...could i ask how you know that johns parents were arthur and annie whitehead..reason i ask is i think his ww1 service records survived and are on ancestry...just looking at a receipt for his medals and it was signed by an edith whitehead...just wondered who she was...his address looks like the refreshment rooms brookvale park erdington..may i also ask what area the medal was found...would certainly be great to pass it onto any remaining family

lyn
 
Lyn - if you go far enough through his records I think it gives Edith as nominated next of kin and as his sister.
 
pjmburns said:
Lyn - if you go far enough through his records I think it gives Edith as nominated next of kin and as his sister.
Click to expand...
thanks jan i did wonder if she was his sister...good that his service records survived...just need to hope any family can claim the lost medal..

lyn
 
Astoness said:
hi and welcome...could i ask how you know that johns parents were arthur and annie whitehead..reason i ask is i think his ww1 service records survived and are on ancestry...just looking at a receipt for his medals and it was signed by an edith whitehead...just wondered who she was...his address looks like the refreshment rooms brookvale park erdington..may i also ask what area the medal was found...would certainly be great to pass it onto any remaining family

lyn
Click to expand...
On the Commonwealth War Graves Commission site that information appears but nothing else. I contacted a chap from the KRRC Association who said he was born in Birmingham but moved to London.
IIRC my pal said he was working in Aston I think, but I’ll check with him tonight!
 
thanks dave just looked at his records again and he was awarded 3 medals and it must have been his sister who lived in erdington...wonder what happened to the other 2 medals...

lyn
 
to go with johns medal card which i posted above here is is soldiers effects info...effects left to sister edith


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Edith's address and verification she was his sister. I would assue parents were both deceased and she was the only relative as there was a space for brothers but it said "none"
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Sadly a later undated letter has this entry at the bottom - need to check if Edith became Mrs Foster
I am not convinced this is in the right file.
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Mons - is it possible to tell us the number on the side of the medal so we can double check we have the right person. Thanks
 
MonsMons said:
On the Commonwealth War Graves Commission site that information appears but nothing else. I contacted a chap from the KRRC Association who said he was born in Birmingham but moved to London.
IIRC my pal said he was working in Aston I think, but I’ll check with him tonight!
Click to expand...
Kemp Road, Alum Rock is where he found the medal.
 
hi dave there is a family tree on ancestry and the tree holder is researching john harris whitehead...i have now messaged the tree holder and asked how if at all they are related to john...at this point i have not mentioned the medal as i am sure your friend would want it to go to the closest living relative..will let you know if i get a reply...fingers crossed

lyn
 
Someone on a War Medal site I use has managed to find descendants of Rifleman Whitehead. His sister married Arthur Antley in 1924 and they had 2 children.
One of their children Eileen Antley married a James Stanley Phillips in 1945.
They had three children. Two of whom were on the Electoral Roll in 2018-
James S.Phillips b1949 and living in the Perry Barr area.
Laurence Phillips b 1954 and living in the Sutton Coldfield area.

Hopefully I’ll be able to make contact with them or their relatives.
Fingers crossed
 
MonsMons said:
Someone on a War Medal site I use has managed to find descendants of Rifleman Whitehead. His sister married Arthur Antley in 1924 and they had 2 children.
One of their children Eileen Antley married a James Stanley Phillips in 1945.
They had three children. Two of whom were on the Electoral Roll in 2018-
James S.Phillips b1949 and living in the Perry Barr area.
Laurence Phillips b 1954 and living in the Sutton Coldfield area.

Hopefully I’ll be able to make contact with them or their relatives.
Fingers crossed
Click to expand...
that would be great news dave...please keep us informed

lyn
 
Just to let you know I have managed to track down a relative of Rifleman J H Whitehead and the medal will be returned to the family next weekend.
Thanks to people here for their interest, suggestions and research. Fantastic that Rifleman Whitehead has now found his family who will find out about him and remember him for the brave young lad he was.
Thanks again.
 
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