William is believed to have been born in Kettering in 1889, although I cannot find a birth record. He was the son of George Whiting from Daventry and his wife Elizabeth Whiting (nee Adams) from Newnham. The couple married in 1880 and had 12 children; 2 of which died in infancy.

In 1891 the family were living in Northall Street, Kettering. George, 38, was a Shoe Rivetter, Elizabeth was 27. Their children were Polly, 9, Emma, 7, Thomas, 6, George, 4, William, 2 and Clara (new-born).

In 1901 they were living in Finedon Road. George, 49, was still a Shoe Rivetter, Elizabeth was 37. Their children at home were Polly, 19, an Eyeletter in the Boot Trade, Emma (shown as Emily), 17, at home, Housework, Thomas, 16, a Finisher in the Boot Trade, William, 12, Clara, 10, Charles, 6, Edith, 4, Rose, 3 and Gertrude, 8 months. George Jnr., 15, a Carter at Ironstone Pits, is recorded as a Patient at the Kettering District & General Hospital, Rothwell Road. 

William joined the 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment in 1907 as Private No. 8499. In the 1911 Census he was serving in Malta alongside his brother Thomas. At the outbreak of war, the battalion was stationed at Mustapha Barracks, Alexandria, Egypt. Towards the end of August, they embarked on the S.S. Desiardo and were taken in error to Marseilles. Two or three days were spent there while the authorities discussed whether the troops were to go overland or not. Eventually the voyage was resumed to Gibraltar.

In due course the battalion arrived at Liverpool where it entrained for Winchester, setting up camp at Hursley Park. On November 3rd and 4th they marched to Southampton. The ship allotted to them was an ex cattle vessel, the Turcoman, and ‘the smell inside her was positively fearsome’. About 8pm on the 4th the vessel cleared for Havre, where it arrived early the next morning.

Their first tour in the trenches lasted 7 days. During the first 2 days it rained heavily and throughout the last 5 there was a succession of sharp frosts and snow. The first 2 months of 1915, though full of discomfort, were quiet so far as fighting was concerned.

On March 7th the battalion moved into the trenches ready for the attack on Neuve Chapelle. The battle lasted until the 13th and on that day William was wounded in the hip and thigh. The battalion took a terrible mauling but on May 9th they were again called into action in the Battle of Aubers Ridge with William back in their ranks.

The heavy bombardment prior to the British attack had little effect on the German wire or trenches. Their attack came at 5.40 am but they were hit by heavy machine gun and rifle fire by the time they had progressed 30 yards from their own trench. A party of Northamptons did make it into the German trenches but were forced to retire when the attack was called off in the evening. Heavy casualties had been inflicted on the attackers. The battalion strength before the attack was 20 officers and 867 other ranks. During the attack they lost 4 officers killed, 5 wounded and 3 missing. Amongst the other ranks there were 63 killed, 154 wounded and 197 missing.

It is highly likely that William was one of those wounded that day. Aged 25, he died in a nearby dressing station on May 11th. He was buried in the Royal Irish Rifles Graveyard, Laventie, Pas de Calais, France and received the 1914 Star in addition to the British War and Victory Medals.

The Battle of Aubers Ridge on May 9th, 1915 was a black day in the battalion’s history. It was also the blackest day in Burton’s War. Apart from William, the town also lost Leonard Henman, Edward Knighton, Horace Smith, George Randall and Thomas Whiteman.

William’s brothers George and Charles also lost their lives in the conflict, but Thomas managed to survive. At the dedication of the War Memorial in 1922 a wreath was laid in memory of the 3 brothers labelled ‘In loving remembrance from Brothers and Sisters Whiting and Dad’.