1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
11/12/1897
Died:
01/07/1915 (Died of Wounds)
Age:
17
Summary
John Whitley was the oldest son of Eugene and Elizabeth Whitley. He was born on 11th December 1897 in Moy, County Tyrone. He was the second of nine known children. his father was caretaker of the Courthouse. They lived in Chapel Street, Moy. Private Whitley He arrived in the Balkans with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on 30th April 1915. Private Whitley was seriously wounded at the Dardanelles and was evacuated to a hospital at Colshall Hall in Over Peover, Knutsford. He died of wounds in England on 1st July 1915, age 17.
Further Information
John Whitley was the oldest son of Eugene and Elizabeth Whitley Eugene Whitley and Elizabeth Menagh were married at Moy Presbyterian Church on 14th February 1896.
John Whitley was born on 11th December 1897 in Moy, County Tyrone. He was the second of nine known children, five surviving, all born in the Moy area.
The 1901 Census lists John as 3 years old. His mother and her family were living with her parents at house 2 Chapel Street, Moy. She was a seamstress.
Known family: Eugene Whitley, Elizabeth Whitley, Mary Whitley (born 13th September 1896), John Whitley (born 11th December 1897), Thomas Stevens Whitley (born 4th December 1899, died 7th December 1901, age 2), Elizabeth Whitley (born 28th July 1902, twin, died 31st March 1903), Eugene Whitley (born 28th July 1902, twin, died 13th August 190), Thomas Whitley (born 15th March 1904), William Dixon Whitley (born 30th July 1906), Louis Whitley (born 17th April 1909, died 21st December 1911, age 2), Alexander Whitley (born 2nd February 1912).
The 1910 Ulster Towns directory lists Eugene Whitley as the caretaker of the Courthouse.
The 1911 Census shows John and his brother William Dixon to still be living with his grandparents at house 2 in Chapel Street, Moy. He was 13 years old and still at school. His father and mother and some of the family were living in the Square in the Moy.
John Whitley volunteered for service in Dungannon in August 1914.
1915
Private Whitley left Rugby with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in March 1915. He arrived in the Balkans on 30th April 1915.
Private Whitley was seriously wounded at the Dardanelles operations in May-June 1915, having been shot through the left jaw, the bullet coming out the right side of his neck
Private John Whitley was serving with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he died of wounds in England on 1st July 1915, age 17.
From the Tyrone Courier, dated 24th June 1915:
Mr Eugene Whitley, courthouse keeper, Moy, has received a letter from the chaplain of the Military Hospital Alexandria notifying that his son, Private John Whitley, 1st Battalion Inniskilling Fusiliers, has been seriously wounded at the Dardanelles operations, having been shot through the left jaw, the bullet coming out the right side of his neck. Private Whitley volunteered for service in August last, and is barely 17 years of age.
From the Tyrone Courier, dated 1st July 1915:
Mrs Whitley, who resides at the Courthouse, Moy, has been informed that her son, Private John Whitley (12122) 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, was wounded in action on 27th ult. at the Dardanelles, and is now on his way to hospital in England. Whitley enlisted at the outbreak of war, and left Rugby with the 1st Battalion last March.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 2nd July 1915:
Mr Eugene Whitley, courthouse-keeper, Moy, has received intimation that his son, Private John Whitley, 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, has died in hospital in England from wounds received during the operations at the Dardanelles. Private Whitley received a shrapnel wound in the head, the bullet entering the cheek and emerging through the neck.
From the Tyrone Courier, dated 8th July 1915: Moy Man Dies of Wounds
Private John Whitley, 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who as previously reported was wounded on May 22 at the Dardanelles, and was removed from Malta to Knutsford hospital, has succumbed to his injuries, the sad event taking place on Thursday. Deceased, who was a native of Moy, enlisted when war wad declared. His parents. who reside at the Courthouse, Moy crossed to Knutsford for the funeral, which took place on Saturday.
There was a Red Cross auxiliary hospital at Colshall Hall in Over Peover, Knutsford, in World War One. It is presumed Private John Whitley was evacuated from the Balkans with his injuries.
Memorials
Private John Whitley is buried in the west part of Over Peover (St. Lawrence) Churchyard, Knutsford, Cheshire. His inscription reads: FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH
'His gravestone is particularly poignant standing alone in the churchyard - neither on the battlefield with his comrades, nor back at home with his own folk. Happily the good people of Peover look after it well, so he's been made to feel at home, and it's a beautiful country churchyard.'
Private John Whitley is commemorated locally on Moy War Memorial.
The CWGC record Private John Whitley as the son of Eugene and Elizabeth Whitley of Moy, County Tyrone.
