1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers (British Army)
Died:
12/10/1916 (Killed in Action)
Age:
26
Summary
William John Whitley was the eldest son of James and Alice Whitley. He was born about 1890 in County Northumberland, England. The family lived in Charlemont Street in Moy, Tyrone. His father and mother run a boarding house. Williams place of birth is given as Co Northumbold. William John Whitley enlisted in Armagh. Private William John Whitley was serving with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria's) when he was killed in action on 12th October 1916 in France.
Further Information
William John Whitley was the eldest son of James and Alice Whitley. James Whitley and Alice Moore on 27th March 1889 in the district of Cookstown.
William John Whitley was born about 1890, in County Northumberland, England.
Known family: James Whitley, Alice Whitley, William John Whitley (born about 1890, Co Northumberland), Elizabeth Jane Whitley (born 15th January 1892, Moy), James Whitley (born 23rd May 1894, Moy), Robert Whitley (born 3rd June 1896, Moy)
The 1901 census records William J as 11 years old. He is living with the family in house 23 in Charlemont Street in Moy, Tyrone. His father and mother run a boarding house. William’s place of birth is given as Co Northumbold.
The 1910 Ulster Towns directory lists James Whitley as having 'refreshment rooms' in Charlemont Street, Moy.
By 1911, William is no longer living with the family in Charlemont Street. William's mother has died. His father runs the establishment with his daughter, Elizabeth Jane Whitley.
William John Whitley enlisted in Armagh, having been a member of the Special Reserve.
1914
Private William John Whitley arrived in France with the Royal Irish Fusiliers on 19th December 1914.
1916
Private William John Whitley was serving with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria's) when he was killed in action on 12th October 1916 in France.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 7 December 1916:
Private William Whitley, Irish Fusiliers, is reported as missing since October last. He is one of the soldier sons of Mr James Whitley, Moy.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 9th December 1916:
Private William Whitley, Royal Irish Fusiliers, is reported as missing since October last. He is one of the soldier sons of Mr James Whitley, Moy, County Tyrone, and has been on active service from the beginning of the war, having been a member of the Special Reserve.
Memorials
Private William John Whitley has no known grave and are commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916.
Private William Whitley is commemorated locally on Moy War Memorial.
