John Henry Whitwam

Private. 40629. 8th Battalion. Northumberland Fusiliers.

Born: 1882 in Golcar.

Son of Henry and Lavinia, of 88 Swallow lane, Golcar.

Brother of Mary and Albert William who was also killed, aged 39.

Address: 88 Swallow Lane, Golcar.

Occupation: Weaver.

Killed in action: 27th September 1917. Aged 35.

Buried; Chapel Corner Cemetery, Sauchy-Lestree. Row C. Grave 10.

Brother of Mary and Albert William Whitwam who was also killed aged 39.

Sauchy-Lestree is a village just north of the road from Arras to Cambrai. The village was captured on the day John lost his life, and the cemetery was made and used by fighting units during the following five weeks. It contained 150 burials at the Armistice and others were then added from surrounding battlefields. There are 178 World War 1 casualties here of which 29 are unidentified.

John's name appears on the Roll of Honour in St. John's Church, Golcar.