A Man of Iron
Bombardier Edgar Audley Whittaker Royal Field Artillery and Special Constabulary
The Man Edgar Audley Whittaker was born at Macclesfield, Cheshire on Wednesday 9th October 1889, son of Arthur Henry, a Brewer’s Agent and Rosalina nee Audley. He was Baptised at St. Michael's, Macclesfield on 13th November the same year and one of three children Winifred Mabel (1891-1982) and Constance Mary (1893-1988).
The 1891 Census shows the family living at 20 River Street, Macclesfield and in 1901, Edgar now aged 11, at 64 Chester Road. Following his education Edgar left home and became an Ironmonger, in 1911 he was boarding with Thomas (a Pork Butcher) and Gertrude Walley at Higher Buxton Road, Macclesfield.
At the outbreak of World War I on 4th August 1914, Edgar was aged 25, he didn’t volunteer initially and during the second quarter of 1915 married Florence Eveline Henshall in Macclesfield, they had two children, Mabel born in 1918 and Geoffrey born in 1931.
The Military Service Act of January 1916 specified that single men aged 18 to 40 years old were liable to be called up for military service unless they were widowed with children or were ministers of a religion. This was changed in May 1916 to include married men. However, Edgar had already enlisted into the Royal Field Artillery on 25th November 1915 with service number 159476. On joining he was described as 6’ ¾” tall, weighing 120lbs, chest of 35” with good physical development and wearing an ‘upper plate’ of dentures.
Edgar served during the remainder of the War, promoted to Bombardier and awarded the 1914-18 British War and Victory Medals, being discharged to a small pension on 12th February 1919, claiming he was suffering from rheumatism due to exposure, but this claim appears to have been rejected by the Army.
Following the war he moved with Florence to 88 Broadhurst Lane Congleton and resumed working in the Ironmongers Trade, where he was involved in the Amalgamated Engineering Union and joined the local Conservative Association in the 1930s, becoming Secretary for the next 30 years and awarded their Distinguished Service Medallion. He was also a keen sportsman playing football, cricket, billiards, snooker and bowls.
The 1939 Register shows Edgar, now aged 50 living at 11 Holmesville Avenue, ‘Denholme’, Congleton with his job described as Ironmonger (Own Account) and daughter Muriel working as a Shop Assistant. Following the outbreak of World War II in 1939, Edgar joined the local Special Constabulary serving throughout the war and being awarded the Defence Medal and Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, war service counting treble.
The 1891 Census shows the family living at 20 River Street, Macclesfield and in 1901, Edgar now aged 11, at 64 Chester Road. Following his education Edgar left home and became an Ironmonger, in 1911 he was boarding with Thomas (a Pork Butcher) and Gertrude Walley at Higher Buxton Road, Macclesfield.
At the outbreak of World War I on 4th August 1914, Edgar was aged 25, he didn’t volunteer initially and during the second quarter of 1915 married Florence Eveline Henshall in Macclesfield, they had two children, Mabel born in 1918 and Geoffrey born in 1931.
The Military Service Act of January 1916 specified that single men aged 18 to 40 years old were liable to be called up for military service unless they were widowed with children or were ministers of a religion. This was changed in May 1916 to include married men. However, Edgar had already enlisted into the Royal Field Artillery on 25th November 1915 with service number 159476. On joining he was described as 6’ ¾” tall, weighing 120lbs, chest of 35” with good physical development and wearing an ‘upper plate’ of dentures.
Edgar served during the remainder of the War, promoted to Bombardier and awarded the 1914-18 British War and Victory Medals, being discharged to a small pension on 12th February 1919, claiming he was suffering from rheumatism due to exposure, but this claim appears to have been rejected by the Army.
Following the war he moved with Florence to 88 Broadhurst Lane Congleton and resumed working in the Ironmongers Trade, where he was involved in the Amalgamated Engineering Union and joined the local Conservative Association in the 1930s, becoming Secretary for the next 30 years and awarded their Distinguished Service Medallion. He was also a keen sportsman playing football, cricket, billiards, snooker and bowls.
The 1939 Register shows Edgar, now aged 50 living at 11 Holmesville Avenue, ‘Denholme’, Congleton with his job described as Ironmonger (Own Account) and daughter Muriel working as a Shop Assistant. Following the outbreak of World War II in 1939, Edgar joined the local Special Constabulary serving throughout the war and being awarded the Defence Medal and Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, war service counting treble.
After the war, he continued work as an Ironmonger working at Hadfields, 19-21 High Street, Congleton a business he later took over until his retirement in about 1953 and becoming President of Congleton Chamber of Trade
In later life he lived with Florence at ‘Mayfayre’ 10 Holmes Chapel Road, Congleton, where he was Churchwarden at St James’s Church Congleton and formerly a Chorister at St Mary’s Church, Astbury. They celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1965, sadly however, not long after this milestone event Florence passed away on 21st August 1965 at the War Memorial Hospital, Congleton. In her will Edgar was described as a retired bank messenger, as job he may have undertaken following retirement from the Ironmonger trade.
Edgar suffered poor health in later life and spent time in hospital. He passed away a few months after Florence on 4th July 1966 aged 76, at 5 Howard Avenue, Congleton, home of one of his sisters and leaving £1733.00 (£27,250 approx in 2024). His funeral service was held on Wednesday 6th with the local Congregational Minister Rev H L Swindells conducting the service, presumably at St James’s Church.
Edgar’s obituary was published in the Staffordshire Sentinel of 15th July 1966.
In later life he lived with Florence at ‘Mayfayre’ 10 Holmes Chapel Road, Congleton, where he was Churchwarden at St James’s Church Congleton and formerly a Chorister at St Mary’s Church, Astbury. They celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1965, sadly however, not long after this milestone event Florence passed away on 21st August 1965 at the War Memorial Hospital, Congleton. In her will Edgar was described as a retired bank messenger, as job he may have undertaken following retirement from the Ironmonger trade.
Edgar suffered poor health in later life and spent time in hospital. He passed away a few months after Florence on 4th July 1966 aged 76, at 5 Howard Avenue, Congleton, home of one of his sisters and leaving £1733.00 (£27,250 approx in 2024). His funeral service was held on Wednesday 6th with the local Congregational Minister Rev H L Swindells conducting the service, presumably at St James’s Church.
Edgar’s obituary was published in the Staffordshire Sentinel of 15th July 1966.
Naming of Edgar Whittaker's medals
The Story The medals awarded to Edgar Audley Whittaker were acquired from E-Bay on 26th May 2024. They were of interest simply because of the unusual name, enabling research and the named Association of Conservative Club medallion and other badges with the group.
Some research had already been completed, but the usual trawl of Ancestry, Forces War Records and Wills enabled his biography to be expanded.
A pleasing result for one who served during two World Wars.
Some research had already been completed, but the usual trawl of Ancestry, Forces War Records and Wills enabled his biography to be expanded.
A pleasing result for one who served during two World Wars.
Medal Details
- 1914-18 British War Medal: 159475 BMBR. E.A.WHITTAKER. R.A.
- Victory Medal: 159475 BMBR. E.A.WHITTAKER. R.A.
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- Special Constabulary Long Service Medal: EDGAR A.WHITTAKER
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