Harry Whiting 1888-1975

Parents: Henry Whiting and Mary Ann Poole
Born: 1888 in Burton End, Haverhill.(1)
Baptised: ?
Married (1): Beatrice Nunn, 19, spinster, factory worker of 92 Burton End, Haverhill, daughter of George Nunn, silk weaver, on 7th March 1909 at St Mary's Parish Church, Haverhill. Witnessed by George Nunn jnr and Rose Whiting.(2,5)
Children: Beatrice May Whiting b.1909 and Elsie Maud Whiting b.1912
Married (2): Emily Cutter, 28, spinster, cook, of 49 Burton End, daughter of Charles Cutter, wood merchant (deceased), on 15th November 1919 at St Mary's Parish Church, Haverhill. Witnessed by Sarah Cutter and Lily Barker.(3,5)
Children: None
Died: 1975. Buried at Haverhill Cemetery.(4)

Bio: Harry shows up on the 1891 census as a child living at 21 Burton End with his parents and siblings, He had been born in 1888(1).

At the time of the 1901 census he's still living at home, this time with seven other siblings as well as his parents and he has no occupation at this stage.

In 1909 Joseph married Beatrice Nunn, also of Haverhill, who was the daughter of George Nunn and Eliza Poole.

On the 1911 census we see Harry and Beatrice living at 146 Burton End. Harry is working as a traction engine driver and Beatrice is employed as a factory worker. They have a daughter, Beatrice May, who was born the year before.

Sadly, Beatrice was to die the following year and was buried at Haverhill cemetery on 8th June 1912. It appears her death may have been related to complications in childbirth as her daughter Elsie Maud was born very close to this time in 1912. Cemetery records say Beatrice died at Addenbrookes hospital.

The marriage registers of St Mary's Church, Haverhill, show that Harry married again to Emily Cutter on 15th November 1919(5), and at the time he was still an engine driver and living at 55 Burton End. She was also from Burton End, and was working as a cook.

Initially I was unable to establish whether they had any children, or indeed if it was this Harry who was buried at Haverhill Cemetery in 1975(4) alongside an Emma Whiting, who died in 1985 aged 93. Her year of birth matched that of Emily very closely.

Thanks to the late Colin Farrant, who was Harry's grandson by his daughter Beatrice May, it was possible to clear things up.

Colin confirmed that Harry had driven steam traction engines for Baldocks of Haverhill along with his younger brother Ernest, and also that he did not have any more children with Emily (who was known as Emma). It was indeed him who was buried in 1975 on the same plot as Emma.

picture of Harry and Emma in the early 1970's, courtesy of Colin Farrant. Click to enlarge

Sources:

(1) Birth Register. 3rd Quarter 1888, Risbridge District, Volume 4a Page 609
(2) Marriage Register. 1st Quarter 1909, Risbridge District, Volume 4a Page 931
(3) Marriage Register. 1st Quarter 1919, Risbridge District, Volume 4a Page 2288
(4) Haverhill Cemetery. Harry Whiting, aged 88, buried in 1975. Compartment X, Space No.71, Grave Ref. 8770.
(5) Suffolk Records Office, Bury St Edmunds, Parish Registers of St Mary's Church, Haverhill, 1892-1924, FL578/4/19