Whitfield's Story.
Whitfield is remembered on the Christ Church Memorial at Barnton, Northwich.
Northwich Guardian 30th November 1917. DIED OF WOUNDS. GUNNER C. W. WILLIAMSON.
Gunner C. W. Williamson, son of Mr. and Mrs T. Williamson of 102 Lydyett Lane Barnton, has died from wounds in hospital abroad. Gunner Williamson, who was 19 years of age, enlisted in the Field Artillery two years ago and during the five months he has been at the front he had been in some heavy fighting. In civil life he was engaged in the drawing office at Messrs Brunner Mond & Co. at their Lostock Works, and like his parents, prominently identified himself with the Barnton Wesleyan Chapel where his name is on the Roll of Honour.
Mr. Williamson received a telegram on Friday from the military authorities as follows:- “Regret to inform you Gunner Williamson is dangerously ill at ….. General Hospital ….., suffering from gun shot wounds in the side, penetrating the abdomen.” News was yesterday received of his death.
Northwich Guardian 14th December 1917 GUNNER WHITFIELD WILLIAMSON
Gunner C. Whitfield Williamson of the Royal Field Artillery has died from wounds in a base hospital. He was 19 years of age and enlisted two years ago. He had been at the front about five months when he received his wounds. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs T. Williamson of 162 Lydyatt Lane, Barnton and was educated at Sir John Dean’s Grammar School. In civil life he was engaged in the drawing office of Messrs Brunner Mond and Co., at Lostock Gralam. Like his father, he was prominent;y identified with the Wesleyan Church at Barnton.
Chaplains Message.
The Rev. W. J. Moulton, Wesleyan chaplain, has written two letters from the hospital to Mr. Williamson In the first he said:-”I grieve to say your son is very ill indeed. Another operation was found necessary and this gave him relief for a while but the effects were not lasting. He is a brave lad and bears his sufferings with great patience and courage. He told me yesterday that his pain helped him to understand what our Lord did for us. I wish I could send brighter news but cannot say more than that his life hangs in the balance.”
In a second letter the reverend gentleman said, “After my last letter the news that your boy died last night about 10:30 will not be unexpected. When I saw him last about 8:30 p.m. he was practically unconscious and did not rally again. I was much drawn out towards the lad and sorrow with you very sincerely. While I was talking with him the other day he told me that I reminded him of you. He trusted himself quite simply to Christ and is in His safe keeping now. You and Yours have made a great and costly sacrifice for our country’s cause and I pray that the God of all comfort may sustain and keep you in this heavy trouble.”
Hospital Sister’s Letter
The sister in charge at the hospital wrote:- “It is with great regret that I have to write you the sad news that your son Private Wilkinson, R.F.A. passed away on the night of the 25th at 10:30 p.m. You will be glad to hear, I fell sure, that he suffered very little at the last, he was unconscious most of the last day. When he spoke of you it was always that he was afraid you might be worrying about him. I am sure you are proud of your brave boy, who was brave and cheerful to the end. With very deep sympathy for you in your great trouble.”
C.W.G.C. remember a Whitfield Williamson at the Etaples Military Cemetery (XXX.M.29.) France. He was with the Royal Field Artillery 68th Bty. 14th Bde. Service No 116165, died on the 25th Nov. 1917, aged 19. Son of Thomas and Louisa Williamson, of 102 Lydyett, Barnton, Cheshire. Personal Inscription; Father in thy gracious keeping leave we now our dear boy sleeping.
B.M.& Co. WW1 R.o.H. booklet includes the name of Williamson C.W., gunner with the R.F.A. and Died. He is also named on the Lostock Works Memorial. He is also named on the St. John Deans Grammar School Memorial, Northwich.
N.A.M.C. have a medal card for a Williamson Whitfield, with the Royal Field Artillery, No 116165, Gunner, awarded the British and Victory Medals. T.o.W. and D.o.E. not address. The medal card has the comment Dead 25/11/17.
Cheshirebmd and Freebmd record the birth of a Carrol Whitfield Williamson in the year 1898, Freebmd records Northwich, Cheshirebmd records Weaverham.
Research Bob H.