The Queens Own Royal West Kent R

The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Second Lieutenant J H E Whitehead

Photographs by "darealjolo"

Second Lieutenant James Hugh Edendale WHITEHEAD, 9th Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, died in London on 13th March 1919, age 28, following a severe attack of Influenza.

Born 8th July 1890, Bromley, Kent. Eldest & only surviving son of Sir George Hugh Whitehead, (JP), 2nd Bart. and Gertrude Grace, (daughter of Sir William Ascroft JP., of Overleigh House, Preston, Lancashire), of The Shrubbery, 72, Woodstock Road, Oxford, formerly of Wilmington Hall, Dartford, Kent.

Educated at The Old Rode, Bournemouth, Clifton College & at Trinity College, Oxford, where he obtained his Blues for athletics, representing Oxford in the hurdles in 1912. On leaving University he joined his father's firm, becoming a Member of The Stock Exchange in 1914 & partner in the firm of Whitehead & Chown.

Prominent cricketer while at Clifton; one of their best Fives players and a keen athlete. At Oxford he made a god score- 57 and 17 - in the Freshman's match and on the running track represented the University against Cambridge in the hurdles. He was well known in Kent cricket, and with his brother is one of the Kent cricketers commemorated by the fountain erected at Canterbury.

Volunteered for active service on the outbreak of war; 5th November 1914, Gazetted 2nd Lieutenant, Royal West Kent Regiment; served with the Regiment until he resigned his commission in 1916, having contracted a severe illness from the hardships of the 1914 / 1915 Winter.

Silver War Badge issued. Resided Pendyffryn Hall, Penmaenmawr, North Wales.

22nd August 1919, Probate - James Hugh Edendale Whitehead, of Wilmington Hall, near Dartford, Kent, died 13th March 1919, at Queen Anne's Mansions, Middlesex. Administration London 22nd August to Sir George Hugh Whitehead Baronet. Effects £2334 12s 11d.

Buried at St Michael & All Angels Churchyard, Wilmington, Dartford Borough, Kent, family vault, South-West corner of Churchyard, Wilmington, Kent.

Brother - George William Edendale Whitehead, born 27th August 1895, Bromley, Kent, died 17th October 1918, when his plane was shot down, whilst flying over Lauwe, Belgium, after liberation of the town.

London Gazette 13th March 1916.

The Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment).

Temporary Second Lieutenant James H. E. Whitehead relinquishes his commission on account of ill-health. Dated 14th March, 1916.

External link to Wilmington War Memorial

External link to Stock Exchange War Memorial

External Link to Lords Cricket Ground, Roll of Honour

NOTE: This Officer is not shown in the Regimental History or Officers Died in the Great War.

This page was last updated on 05-May-2023.