Son of Mr William & Mrs Harriet Whiting
Husband of Edith Alice (nee West)
Aged 22 years
Died 3rd November 1914
Commemorated Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon, U.K.
Panel 3
 And in Rushden Cemetery
Grave C.185
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| Born Wellingborough. Married in 1911. |
Rushden Echo, 6th November 1914, transcribed by Jim Hollis.
Another Rushden Victim
Stoker Henry Whiting Goes Down In Submarine Disaster - He Saw No Fear
Yet another of Rushden’s gallant sons has sacrificed his life on behalf of his King and his fellow-countrymen. We refer to the passing over of Stoker Harry Whiting, second son of Mr. and Mrs. William Whiting, of Rushden who went down in the submarine D5, which was sunk by mine in the naval engagement off Yarmouth on Tuesday. Letters sent to his relatives since the war started have shown that the late Stoker Whiting’s whole heart was in his work, and in one letter he said that he saw no fear for himself, his only thought being for those he would have to leave behind in the event of his life being sacrificed. This then was the spirit in which he died, and the word “hero” as applied to him is no idle flattery; we could describe him in no better terms.
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Stoker Whiting
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The late Stoker Whiting, who was 22 years of age, leaves a widow and one little girl to mourn their loss, and the sympathy of the whole district is extended to them in their sad bereavement, and also to the parents of the gallant sailor, who are bearing their loss with remarkable fortitude.
To a representative of the “Rushden Echo” Mr. Wm. Whiting said ; “We must bear it. We are only one bereaved family out of thousands, and our boy has given his life for his country.”
The late Stoker Henry Whiting joined His Majesty’s Navy in July, 1910, when 18 years of age, and in July, 1912, became attached to the submarine service. He was first stationed at Devonport and received his training in the submarine branch of the service on Submarine B 2, which boat, it will be remembered, was sunk in collision off Dover about two years ago. At that time Stoker Whiting was serving on H.M.S. Forth.
Born at Wellingborough, he spent practically the whole of his boyhood’s days in Rushden. Until he left Rushden he attended St. Peter’s Church.
His parents informed our representative that the late Stoker Whiting was a model and affectionate son, greatly attached to his home.
The first definite fears for his safety were aroused by the news published in Wednesday morning’s papers concerning the sinking by a German mine of the D 5, but Mrs. Whiting (his mother) informed our representative that all day on Tuesday she had a feeling, which she could not shake off, that her son had passed into the Great Beyond. At mid-day on Wednesday the anguished parents sent a wire to the Admiralty asking for news, and at 5.30 the answer came, “Regret Harry Whiting not reported saved. – Admiralty.”
His wife heard from him last on Saturday when he said that he was in the best of health.
Mr. and Mrs. Whiting have two other sons in the service of His Majesty – Private J. E. Whiting, of the 4th Northants Territorials, who has volunteered for foreign service, and Private W. S. Whiting, Kitchener’s Army.
Mr. and Mrs. Whiting received official confirmation of their son’s death yesterday morning, the communication from the Admiralty being accompanied by the following letter :-
“The King commands me to assure you of the true sympathy of His Majesty and the Queen in your sorrow.
WINSTON S. CHURCHILL.”
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Rushden Echo, April 21 1916, transcribed by Clive Wood
Another Rushden Soldier Killed
We are sorry to state that information has been received in Rushden of the death in action of Pte Whiting son of Mr & Mrs Whiting of North Street, Rushden. Soon after the outbreak of war Mr & Mrs Whiting lost their sailor son, who went down in a submarine.
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The Rushden Echo Friday 25th August 1916, transcribed by Nicky Bates
Patriotic Wymington Family – Six Brothers in the Colours
The late First-Class Stoker Harry Whiting, of Rushden, brother-in-law of the Wests was drowned at sea. Mr Jonathan West, a well-known resident of Wymington, has ten sons. Seven of them are of military age, and six of these are serving King and country. The seventh, the only married son, is a railway porter at St Helens, and the railway company are keeping him back, otherwise he also would have been with the colours. Mr West has only one daughter, Mrs Harry Whiting, the widow of First-class Stoker Whiting, who went down in submarine D5, during the early days of the war. Mr West's other three sons are under military age. We publish the photographs of the six brothers who are serving with the colours... West Family of Wymington
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The Rushden Echo, 3rd November 1916
IN MEMORIAM
WHITING – In loving memory of Harry, the dearly loved son of Mr. and Mrs. Whiting, who lost his life by the sinking of H.M. Submarine, D5, November 3rd, 1914.
Two years have passed, our hearts still sore;
As time rolls on we miss him more;
“Asleep in the deep,” and take thy rest,
They miss you most who loved you best.
Never forgotten by his loving Father, Mother, Brothers, and Sisters.
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The Rushden Echo Friday 2 November 1917, transcribed by Nicky Bates
In Memoriam
WHITING - In fond remembrance of our dear son, Harry, who gave his life on HM Submarine D5, November 3rd, 1914.
Three years have passed, and still we miss him,
Never shall his memory fade.
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The Rushden Echo Friday 1 November 1918, transcribed by Nicky Bates
In Memoriam
WHITING - In ever loving memory of Harry, the dearly loved son of Mr and Mrs Whiting, 30 North street, Rushden, who lost his life on HM Submarine D5, Nov 3rd, 1914.
Four years have passed, our hearts still sore;
As time goes on we miss you more.
"Asleep in the deep," and take thy rest,
They miss you most who loved you best.
Never to be forgotten by his father, mother, brothers and sisters.
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The Rushden Echo Friday 31 October 1919, transcribed by Nicky Bates
In Memoriam
WHITING - In ever loving memory of Harry, the dearly loved son of the late Mr W Whiting and Mrs Whiting, of 30 North-street, Rushden, who lost his life on HM Submarine D5, Nov. 3rd, 1914.
In our home you are fondly remembered,
Sweet memories cling round your dear name.
For those that hi live loved your dearly
Still love you in death just the same.
From his loving mother, brothers and sisters.
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