Flanders Fields 14-18

Thomas Whitham was born in 1888, in Burnley, Lancashire. He joined the army in January 1915 and served as a private in the 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards.

On 31 July 1917, he was stationed at Pilckem, near Ypres. During the advance, a German machine gun was enfilading the battalion. Seeing this, Whitham worked his way through the Allied barrage via shell holes in order to reach the machine gun post.

He managed to capture the post with an officer and two other soldiers. It was reported that his bold actions helped to save many lives. For his efforts, he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

Whitham served with the army for the remainder of the war and was discharged in 1919. Post-war, he struggled to find work and sold his VC and a gold watch in order to make ends meet. Thomas Whitham died in 1924, aged just 36.

Both his watch and Victoria Cross were rescued by the local council and remain on display in Towneley Hall Art Gallery & Museum in Burnley.

Now and always, we will remember him.

📷 - Victoria Cross Awards, 31 July 1917: Thomas Whitham, Private, 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards. © IWM (Q 80662)