Private Alfred Henry Whitehead Norfolk Regiment and Nott's and Derby Regiment
1914-18 British War Medal. Victory Medal.
The Man Albert Henry Whitehart was born on Friday 21st April 1899 in Royal Leamington Spa, son of George a Domestic Coachman and Emily nee Wheeler. He was one of five children, Ruth Emily born in 1890, William George (1892–1967), Lilian Mary (1894–1956) and Beatrice Victoria (1897–1948). He was Baptised on 21st May 1899 at St Luke’s Church, Hamilton Terrace.
The 1901 census shows the family living at 18 Gunnery Terrace in Milverton and by 1911 at 20 Windsor Place, Leamington and Albert aged 11 is still a student, attending the Central School on Leicester Street, Leamington, where it is reported he won an essay writing competition.
Following school Albert worked for K.England & Son, House Furnishers. (The owner Kelynge Robert England was a local Councillor and became Mayor of Leamington in 1920-22, he was Mayor at the time of the unveiling of the town War Memorial and his company merged with Locke & Co to form Locke and England, well known in Leamington to this day).
At the start of world War I on 4th August 1914 Albert was aged 15 and too young to volunteer, however on reaching age 17 he enlisted into the Norfolk Regiment as a Private with service number 37354 on 27th December 1916 and was called up on 22nd May 1917 having reached 18. Following his training he was posted to the Western Front in France arriving on 3rd April 1918, being transferred to the 15th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters with a new service number of 103267.
The 1901 census shows the family living at 18 Gunnery Terrace in Milverton and by 1911 at 20 Windsor Place, Leamington and Albert aged 11 is still a student, attending the Central School on Leicester Street, Leamington, where it is reported he won an essay writing competition.
Following school Albert worked for K.England & Son, House Furnishers. (The owner Kelynge Robert England was a local Councillor and became Mayor of Leamington in 1920-22, he was Mayor at the time of the unveiling of the town War Memorial and his company merged with Locke & Co to form Locke and England, well known in Leamington to this day).
At the start of world War I on 4th August 1914 Albert was aged 15 and too young to volunteer, however on reaching age 17 he enlisted into the Norfolk Regiment as a Private with service number 37354 on 27th December 1916 and was called up on 22nd May 1917 having reached 18. Following his training he was posted to the Western Front in France arriving on 3rd April 1918, being transferred to the 15th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters with a new service number of 103267.
Albert Whitehart's Medal Index Card
Albert survived just 19 days and listed as being killed in action on 22nd April 1918, a day after his 19th Birthday at Aveluy Wood during the German Spring Offensive.
The 15th Battalion war diary for the period 21st to 23rd April 1918 reads
Aveluy Wood - 21 Apr 1918: Inter Coy relief Y & Z Coys relieving W & X Coys
Aveluy Wood - 22 Apr 1918: Battalion attacked in conjunction with 15th Cheshire Regt, 19 D.L.I and 38th Division all on our right. Objective Ride from W.4.b.4.7 to Ride Junction W.4.c.85.40 inclusive. The attack at first progressed favourably, but in a short time we were held up on right by M.G. fire.
After 3 hours fighting a defensive flank was formed running from W.4.b.25.40 through W.4.a.8.4 – W.4.a.6.4 to original line W.4.a.4.2 where connection was established with the 15th Cheshire Regt
Casualties: Officers 5, O.R’s 112
Aveluy Wood - 23 Apr 1918: Battalion relieved by 12th H.L.I & proceeded to Camp near Hedauville.
Albert’s body was never found and he was commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial Panel 52 to 54 as well as the War Memorial in Leamington Spa, his name being incorrectly spelled as Whiteheart. He was posthumously awarded the 1914-18 British War Medal and Victory Medal, which were sent to his father at 20 Windsor Place. His mother was also awarded a pension for life.
A young life tragically cut short at just turned 19 and after 19 days in a foreign country.
Albert’s father, George died in 1932 aged 68 and his mother Emily aged 78 in 1940.
The 15th Battalion war diary for the period 21st to 23rd April 1918 reads
Aveluy Wood - 21 Apr 1918: Inter Coy relief Y & Z Coys relieving W & X Coys
Aveluy Wood - 22 Apr 1918: Battalion attacked in conjunction with 15th Cheshire Regt, 19 D.L.I and 38th Division all on our right. Objective Ride from W.4.b.4.7 to Ride Junction W.4.c.85.40 inclusive. The attack at first progressed favourably, but in a short time we were held up on right by M.G. fire.
After 3 hours fighting a defensive flank was formed running from W.4.b.25.40 through W.4.a.8.4 – W.4.a.6.4 to original line W.4.a.4.2 where connection was established with the 15th Cheshire Regt
Casualties: Officers 5, O.R’s 112
Aveluy Wood - 23 Apr 1918: Battalion relieved by 12th H.L.I & proceeded to Camp near Hedauville.
Albert’s body was never found and he was commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial Panel 52 to 54 as well as the War Memorial in Leamington Spa, his name being incorrectly spelled as Whiteheart. He was posthumously awarded the 1914-18 British War Medal and Victory Medal, which were sent to his father at 20 Windsor Place. His mother was also awarded a pension for life.
A young life tragically cut short at just turned 19 and after 19 days in a foreign country.
Albert’s father, George died in 1932 aged 68 and his mother Emily aged 78 in 1940.
Medal award letter sent to Albert's Father George.
The Story The medals awarded to Albert Henry Whitehart were kindly given by a relative of Albert’s, Barry Franklin, a local Leamington Historian and former Mayor of Whitnash, who wanted to see Albert and his memory remembered as he was killed in action in World War I, remembered on the Leamington War Memorial and has no known grave.
Barry also gave some paperwork and photographs which it was believed may be of Albert, but sadly the cap badges didn’t match his regiment and they appear to be of different people, possibly friends. They have of course been retained with Albert’s medals in case they can be identified in due course.
The paperwork, Barry’s own notes, Ancestry and the Newspaper Archives enabled a biography to be put together of Albert’s brief life. Photographs were also taken of Albert’s addresses in Leamington as well as others of relevant interest.
Barry also gave the medals belonging to John Heath who is another soldier named on the War Memorial, together with his son Walter and their biographies completed separately.
A poignant addition to the collection, especially for one to perish so young and who was born and lived in one’s home town.
Barry also gave some paperwork and photographs which it was believed may be of Albert, but sadly the cap badges didn’t match his regiment and they appear to be of different people, possibly friends. They have of course been retained with Albert’s medals in case they can be identified in due course.
The paperwork, Barry’s own notes, Ancestry and the Newspaper Archives enabled a biography to be put together of Albert’s brief life. Photographs were also taken of Albert’s addresses in Leamington as well as others of relevant interest.
Barry also gave the medals belonging to John Heath who is another soldier named on the War Memorial, together with his son Walter and their biographies completed separately.
A poignant addition to the collection, especially for one to perish so young and who was born and lived in one’s home town.
Pension Record Card
|
|
Royal Leamington Spa War Memorial
|
|
Poizieres Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery, Ovilliers-la-Boisselle, Somme Departmewnt, France. Panel 52-54.
|
|
St Luke's Church Hamilton Terrace 1905 and 2025
Albert Henry WHITEHART is one of 12 soldiers in this collection who perished as a result of one of the World Wars and are named on the Royal Leamington Spa War Memorial. Sola Bona Quae Honesta. The following whose medals are not held also appear in this website:
Medal Details
- 1914-18 British War Medal: 37354 PTE.A.H.WHITEHART. NORF.R.
- Victory Medal: 37354 PTE.A.H.WHITEHART. NORF.R.
Return to: The Collection
Go to Revious Page: Stanley Charles WHITE
Go to Next Page: William George WHITER
Go to Revious Page: Stanley Charles WHITE
Go to Next Page: William George WHITER
This page last updated 26 Apr 26
