Arnold Whittaker

Age 19        Single

Driver 67430
25^th Div. Ammunition Col., Royal Field Artillery

Died after an accident on
Friday 23^rd July 1915

Arnold was the middle of three brothers and lived with his parents, William and Ellen at 35 Padiham Road, Sabden.  He was employed in the office at Messrs J Stuttard  and Sons, Victoria Spinning Mill.  In January 1915, he enlisted into the Royal Field Artillery and was posted to Aldershot for training. 

Six months later, news was received by Mr and Mrs Whittaker that Arnold had been involved in an accident and was seriously ill in a military hospital.  They immediately set of for Aldershot and on their arrival were met by their eldest son, who was based close to Aldershot and he explained the accident to them. 

It appeared that Arnold was riding on a gun carriage when the horses bolted and the officer in charge called for the men to jump off the gun, which they did, the carriage however skidded and ran over Arnold, severely crushing his stomach. 

Mr & Mrs Whittaker were able to spend a few hours with Arnold before he went for an operation, from which he was not to recover. 

Arnold's body was brought home and he was buried at Sabden Baptist Burial Ground. 

In Sabden he has been remembered on both the School and Church Plaques.