Tag Archives: Willie Whittaker

Diary entries which mention Willie Whittaker, a friend of Arthur Linfoot from South Durham Street Chapel. Willie Whittaker enlisted in the 13th Battalion of the Yorkshire regiment in November 1915, rising to the rank of Second Lieutenant (by then serving with the Northumberland Fusiliers) by the time of his death, which is recorded in October 1917.

10 May 1914; Sunday

May 1914, , , , ,

Charlie off chapel and School all day. Lily at Chapel both morning and night. Had very short lesson at School. Walked out with Charlie, Jim Wilkinson and Willie Whittaker in the afternoon. Walked up Durham Road with Willie on Sunday night. Mr and Mrs Wiseman in after chapel. Father at Chapel in the morning. Fine day. Mr Best preaching, and preached particularly well in the morning. I read some “Anna Karenina.”

13 April 1914; Easter Monday

April 1914, , , , ,

Got up about 8 o’clock. Went up and met the two Willies1 with Charlie. Car to Sea Lane. Walked to Marsden. Willie took some photos2. Had lunch at Marsden and walked on up the banks to Shields3. Came back in the train. Heard 9 bands at South Shields. A drunken man in the train. Got back shortly before 3. I read a good bit and played. Went out again at night. Walked to Roker.

At Marsden & Shields.

L to R: Charlie Linfoot, Willie Whittaker, Arthur Linfoot at Marsden Easter Monday 1914
Photo: L to R; Charlie Linfoot, Willie Whittaker, Arthur Linfoot at Marsden Easter Monday 1914.

  1. “The two Willies”: Presumed to be Willie Marshall and Willie Whittaker, depending on which Willie “took some photos”. ↩

  2. The photograph accompanying this entry appears to be one of those taken by “Willie” on that day (presumed to be Willie Marshall and explaining his absence from the scene). The cliffs in the background would be recognisable by anyone familiar with Marsden today. The photograph was probably taken somewhere near point (A) on the map. See also Sunderland map. ↩

  3. Shields: South Shields (B on the map), a coastal town on the south side of the mouth of the River Tyne, about 3 miles up the cost from Marsden. There is also a North Shields on the north side. ↩

21 March 1914; Saturday

March 1914, ,

Got up in decent time. Finished about 1.30. Had short walk in the town in the afternoon. Went to the King’s Theatre at night and saw “The Daughter of the Regiment”. It was very good but not so good as the pieces I saw previously. Willie Marshall and Willie Whittaker with me. A crowded house. Wet changeable day. Ulster Crisis very acute1.

  1. “The Ulster Crisis” refers to the first signs of Protestant opposition in Ireland to the Home Rule legislation of Asquith’s government, which was followed by widespread gun-­running and civilian armament; and to the “Curragh Mutiny” by British Army officers in Dublin, who announced that they would resign their commissions rather than lead military action against the Protestant opposition to Home Rule (see 23 March.) Although these troubles were put into suspense by the outbreak of WW1 in August 1914, it was never considered possible to introduce military conscription in Ireland. The Dublin uprising ensued in 1916. ↩

10 February 1914; Tuesday

February 1914, , , ,

Busy all day. Father still improving. Went down to clear work at night. Willie not there. Willie Whittaker and I called for him. Went in to see him. His father told us, rather reluctantly, that he had not *. Got home shortly after 10 o’clock. Mr Marshall was putting gramophone records on to amuse Willie, who was in bed. Poor practice. I was the only bass. Directors’ meeting1.

  1. Directors: this would be the Board of the Hendon Paper Works – noted because of the extra work the meeting would have caused for the office staff. ↩

8 February 1914; Sunday

February 1914, , , , , , , ,

Charlie out soon. I got up after 9 o’clock. Off chapel in the morning. Mr Crew preaching. Went down to School late. Father still improved. Willie Marshall in charge†. Charlie, Willie Whittaker and I went over to North Bridge Street1 Presbyterian church at night and heard Mr Middlemiss† preach and Mr Newrick play2. Joe Speed on at our church. Very poor turn out there. Mr Mullens called at our house. Uncle Jack, Aunt Esther, Jack and Hilda3, and Uncle Jack and Aunt Bella and Uncle George all in. And Mrs Spain.

  1. North Bridge Street: in Monkwearmouth, north of the Wear. ↩

  2. Mr Newrick: well-­known local organist and music teacher; ALL took lessons with him. ↩

  3. See Hilda disambiguation page. ↩

20 January 1914; Tuesday

January 1914, , , , , , , ,

Got up about 8 o’clock. Got work well up to date. Mr Jesse Collings expressed his intention to retire from Parliament at next general election1.

Finished in good time. Mother, Father and Gertie at a * lecture on Canada. I finished off some Pelman 2 papers and took them to the post. Mr Chadwick called to see about Ernie’s reply to his letter. Willie Whittaker called in and we went up the town way. Played the piano a bit. Went to bed late. Had a bath last thing. Took 2 letters for Mr Lawson and didn’t get away to dinner until late.

  1. Jesse Collings was MP for Ipswich, later for Birmingham Bordesley; best known as mover of the “three acres and a cow” amendment to the Queen’s Speech, January 1886, following which Lord Salisbury’s government fell and Gladstone became Prime Minister. ↩

  2. Pelman: See footnote on 6 January and all diary entries tagged Pelman. ↩

7 January 1914; Wednesday

January 1914, , ,

Got up at 8 o’clock. Fine day. Felt pretty fresh. Finished in good time. Went along to Willie’s about 7.30. Willie Whittaker called for me. Charlie followed us. A good number there including Chris Beresford, Misses Boyce, Dick and May, Billy Rawson and Miss Douglas, Willie Peake and Edie, Natty and his girl, a Mr Bannister and his wife. Stayed until Nearly 2 o’clock. I got the booby prize. Charlie sang 2 songs. I played for one. Chris Beresford sang, and Miss Boyce. Natty and Willie played. Charlie and I set Edie Hunter along home. Went to bed about 2.30. Enjoyed it pretty well.

Marshall’s Party.