Thomas Whitham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Whitham
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| Born | 11 May 1888 Worsthorne (near Burnley), Lancashire |
| Died | 22 October 1924 (aged 36) Oldham Infirmary, Lancashire |
| Buried |
Inghamite Burial Ground, Wheatley Lane
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| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1915-1919 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit | 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards |
| Battles/wars | World War I - Battle of Passchendaele |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
| Relations | Jack Whitham (grandson) |
| Other work | Bricklayer |
Thomas Whitham was an English soldier who received the Victoria Cross (VC). The Victoria Cross is the highest and most respected award for bravery given to soldiers in the British and Commonwealth forces. It is given for amazing acts of courage when facing the enemy.
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Thomas Whitham's Military Service
Thomas Whitham joined the British Army on January 25, 1915. He was 26 years old at the time. He served as a Private in the 1st Battalion of the Coldstream Guards. This was during the First World War, a very big global conflict.
A Brave Act in Battle
On July 31, 1917, a very brave event happened near Ypres, Belgium, in a place called Pilckem. During a battle, an enemy machine-gun was firing heavily at the soldiers on the right side of Thomas Whitham's group.
Private Whitham, without being told, decided to act. He moved carefully from one shell-hole to another, even though his own side's bombs were falling nearby. He reached the enemy machine-gun. Despite being under very heavy fire, he managed to capture the machine-gun. He also captured an enemy officer and two other soldiers. This incredibly brave action helped his battalion a lot and certainly saved many lives. For this act of courage, he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
Life After the War
After the First World War ended, Thomas Whitham became a Bricklayer. However, he found it hard to find steady work. Because of his struggles, he had to sell his Victoria Cross medal. He also sold a gold watch that the Burnley council had given him to honor his bravery.
Both the medal and the watch ended up in a pawn shop. Luckily, the council bought them back. Today, they are on display at the Towneley Hall Art Gallery & Museums in Burnley. Thomas Whitham passed away at the age of 36 on October 22, 1924. He was buried on October 27, 1924, at Wheatley Lane Inghamite Church. In 1952, the Coldstream Guards association put up a special memorial at his grave.
Remembering Thomas Whitham
In 2008, a school in Burnley was renamed in his honor. The Burnley Schools' Sixth Form became the Thomas Whitham Sixth Form. This helps to keep his memory and brave actions alive for future generations.
Thomas Whitham also has a famous grandson, Jack Whitham, who became a professional football player.
Other Awards and Medals
Besides the Victoria Cross, Thomas Whitham received other medals for his service in the First World War:
- The 1914-15 Star
- The British War Medal
- The WWI Victory Medal
