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PTE THOMAS WHITHAM, VC.
Thomas Whitham was born in Burnley on 11th May 1888.
He enlisted into the Coldstream Guards on the 25th
January 1915, and he joined the 1st Battalion in France
on 26th October 1915.
He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallantry on
31st July 1917 at Pilckem, near Passchendaele. He
returned to England in October 1917 and was discharged
on the 7th March 1919.
He gained employment as a bricklayer, but times were
hard and he had to pawn his medals and the gold watch
that he had received from Burnley Town Council. Whilst
he was seeking work in Cumberland in 1924, he had an
accident while riding his bicycle and he received head
injuries and lost his memory. He later managed to
contact his wife and six children, but soon lost contact
with them again. He died in poverty in Oldham Royal
Infirmary on 22nd October 1924.
In 1931, it came to the notice of Burnley Borough
Council that he VC and gold watch were in pawn, so they
purchased it and offered it to Whitham’s family if they
refunded the £50. As the medals are still in the Townley
Hall Art Gallery & Museums in Burnley, it seems that
this offer was not taken up.
In addition the VC, he was also awarded the 1914-15
Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal, however, only
the VC and Victory Medals survive.
EXTRACT FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE
06 Sept 1917
 Victoria Cross
15067 Private Thomas WITHAM, 1st Bn Coldstream Guards
For most conspicuous bravery when, during an attack, an
enemy machine gun was seen to be enfilading the
battalion on the right. Private Witham, on his own
initiative, immediately worked his way from shell hole
to shell hole through our own barrage, rushed the
machine gun, and, although under a very heavy fire,
captured it, together with an officer and two other
ranks
The bold action on the part of Private Witham was of
great assistance to the battalion on the right, and
undoubtedly saved many lives and enabled the whole line
to advance.
EXTRACT FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE
26 Sept 1917
15067 Private Thomas WHITHAM VC Coldstream Guards, is
now correctly described. The surname was incorrectly
published in the Gazette of 6th instant (award Victoria
Cross)
His medal(s)
is on display at the Townley Hall Art Gallery & Museums
in Burnley.
"He was forced to sell his VC and a gold
watch that had been presented to him by the council in
recognition of his bravery. Both ended up in a pawn shop
but were rescued by the council and remain in the
Townley Hall Art Gallery & Museums in Burnley".
RELATED IMAGES/INFORMATION
More information on Whitham can be found below:
Wikipedia External Link
Burnley Council - Not Forgotten
Biography and Images
MEDAL
ENTITLEMENT OF:
Private Thomas WHITHAM (Coldstream Guards)
Victoria Cross
1914 - 15 Star
British War Medal ( 1914-20 )
Victory Medal ( 1914-19 ) |
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