William WHITTON Private 6/3829, 6 th Durham Light Infantry. Died 16 th September 1916. William Whitton was born in Witton-le-Wear in 1895. His mother died with a year of his birth, but his father remarried and the family lived at Victoria Cottages, Howden-le-Wear, before moving to North Bitchburn where his father became the manager of the North Bitchburn Fireclay Company. After leaving school at the age of 14, William took up a position as a labourer/sanitary pipe worker. The family was staunch Methodist, being very involved with the Wesleyan Chapel at Wear Valley Junction. Indeed, the family later donated a table to this chapel, bearing a brass plaque to honour Willie's memory. This may now be seen at Howden-le-Wear Methodist Chapel. Willie enlisted at Bishop Auckland before conscription, joining the 6 th Durham Light Infantry. He took part in the Battle of Fler-Courcelette, which started on the 15 th September 1916, and which was to be the third and final offensive in this area mounted by the British. Willie was killed on the second day of this offensive on the 16 th September 1916, aged 21. He is one of over 70,000 soldiers who fought in the Somme area who have no known grave, and is therefore remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. Willie is particularly thought of each Remembrance Sunday at Howden-le- Wear Methodist Chapel, when a poppy is placed on “his” table.

RememberingOur Fallen

Howden-le-Wear History Society

Private William Whitton wearing his DLI uniform. Image courtesy of Anthea Agar