THE story of the short life of William Wheatley as read by Burnt Mill Academy student, Lucy.

Thanks to Harlow Council’s Civic Fund and HTS Ltd for their support in this project.

William (Henry) Wheatley

William Wheatley appears on the Memorial Cross but there is no record of a William Wheatley living in this area. There are records however of a Henry Wheatley living and working in Netteswell and Burnt Mill who had a brother called William. William suffered from ill health which would have prevented him from entering military service and Henry may have taken his name if William had passed away.

William (Henry)’s parents were Henry Wheatley, born in Surrey in c.1861 and Sarah, born in Battersea in c.1864. William (Henry) Wheatley was born in Chiswick in c.1886.

The 1911 census shows Henry aged 25 living at Spring Street, Burnt Mill. Henry was a marine engineer. Sometime thereafter Henry married Elizabeth.

Private Henry Wheatley, 7045, enlisted in east London serving with the 1st Battalion of The Devonshire Regiment.

Henry fought in The Battles The Aisne and La Bassee in September and October 1914. He was killed in action on 30 October 1914 at the age of 29 and is buried in Arras Road Cemetery, Roclincourt, France. Plot 2, row c, grave 20. Register Index Number Fr.1059. At the time of his death Elizabeth was living in Hare Street, Great Parndon.