Joseph Whitaker

Notes:

Notes from Peter David Whitaker

Joseph remains as somewhat of an enigma. From 1852 he seems to disappear without trace.

Evidently he was probably born in Ossett on 6 February 1819 to John and Sarah and christened on 4 April 1819 in Dewsbury Parish Church.

He married Hannah Scott on 17 August 1845 at Dewsbury P.C. He is described, as is his father, as a "Clothier". Joseph and his family were living in Quebec Street, Wakefield by the 1851 census. Soon after his son's birth on February 1852, he vanishes from official records. By 1861 and 1871 Hannah is living without him although not yet classifying herself as a "Widow".

The marriage certificates for his children, Fred in December 1875 and Lydia in March 1876, both show Joseph Whitaker, Clothier or Cloth Weaver as "Father." There is no suggestion that he has deceased.

Joseph married Hannah Scott 17 Aug 1845, Dewsbury, Yorkshire, England. Hannah was born 04 Nov 1823, Ossett, Yorshire. England. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Note by Peter David Whitaker

By 1881 Emma was living with her mother and her illegitimate child Joseph who was named after his grandfather.

Notes:

Birth:
Source: Peter David Whitaker citing (probably) the birth certificate.
Text: On 21 February 1852, Fred was born in Quebec Street, Wakefield.

Died:
Source: Peter David Whitaker
Text: Fred died on 27 December 1911 at 31 South 'treet at 59 years of age. Cause of death is listed as Bright?s Disease, which is a kidney problem. Dropsy and Heart Failure. His burial site is unknown.

Fred married Emma Graham 18 Dec 1875, St Peter's Birstall, Yorkshire, England. Emma was born 1850, Yorkshire, England; died 1903, Yorkshire, England. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Notes by Peter David Whitaker

The last of Fred's children, Walter was born on 18 April 1889 at 37 Elizabeth Terrace, Dewsbury. This was just up Leeds cutting on the east side. He is recorded at this address in the 1891 census but at 47 South Street in 1901.

He was apprenticed, as a cabinet maker, to Herbert Senior on Daisy Hill. In 1910, on his 21st birthday, Walter was presented by his employer with a copy of "The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam." This was a then newly published translation of ?These pearls of thought in Persian?? and coupled with his violin playing adds a sensitivity to his character.

In World War I, he served in the 2/4th Battalion of the King?s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. This was a Territorial Force battalion first formed at Wakefield on 30th September 1914 initially as a reserve to train recruits for the First Battalion. It eventually saw action when it went to France and Flanders on 15 January 1917.

His army number was 200912 but his service records were destroyed in a major fire at the War Office in World War II. Reaching the dizzy heights of acting Corporal, he received the Victory and British Medals for serving (and surviving) in France. At the time of his discharge (26 November 1919) he was a temporary sergeant.

By trade or profession he was a furniture and cabinet maker. He later worked for Bicker's, a large Department store in Dewsbury.

Walter married Mary Hannah Gibson 04 Mar 1916, Yorkshire, England. Mary was born 1891, Yorkshire, England; died 1961, Yorkshire, England. [Group Sheet]