Lt Ernest Herod Wheatley - 8th Bttn

[Tim Bell]

Courtesy Darren Prickett:-
Lt Ernest Herod Wheatley.
Ernest enlisted in Artists Rifles in September 1916 (regimental number 762396). On 26/04/17 he obtained a commission as a 2/Lt with 8th Bn, Manchester Regiment. On 22/06/17 he proceeded overseas to France. On 30/08/17 he was wounded. On 26/10/18 he was promoted from 2/Lt to Lt. On 17/02/21 he died of pneumonia. At the time of his death his occupation was listed as bank clerk, of Nottingham Road, Eastwood, Nottinghamshire. Family history states his death was attributable to his wartime service - namely being gassed.

We have no evidence that pneumonia was a result of service. As this is usually a short term condition it is less likely Lt Wheatley would qualify for War Grave status.

Service File at Kew https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C743514

A quick scan of the 1/8 & 2/8 Bttn War Diaries shows no reference to Lt Wheatley.  LG shows no reference to retiring commission and no pension is evident.
Commission 2/Lt https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30073/supplement/4765
Lt https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31036/supplement/14069

[PaulC]

Buried at Marlpool Cemetery, grave ref H/212

Headstone transcription on FamilySearch: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSJN-JYGP?i=114&cat=509752

[PaulC]

(From his service file...)

Born at Lynn Croft, Greasley, Notts, on 18/7/1897, to George Wheatley and Lizzie Emma Wheatley (nee Herod).

Attested on 2/6/1916, mobilised on 13/9/1916. Discharged to commission on 24/4/1917.

Arrived in England on 26/11/1917 suffering from neurasthenia, bronchitis & catarrh, the effects of being gassed.

Medical Board (29/10/1918) gave his disabilities as:

(1) Neurastheia, originated Oct 1917 at Nieuport, Belgium, attributed to military service (gas poisoning on active service)
(2) Nasal obstruction, originated Jan 1918 at Blackpool, not attributed but contracted in the service

However, these disabilities were apparenty no longer present and he was found fit for further service.

On 3/12/1918 he was due to embark to Italy. On 1/3/1919 he was admitted to hospital with clinical dysentery.

He was disembodied on 26/2/1920. Seems that he latterly served in Egypt.

A letter in his file states that he "passed away after a brief illness".

[Tim Bell]

Good work Paul,
It seems we have no connection between the 'short illness' / pneumonia cause of death and military service. 
Lt Wheatley is Remembered here.
Tim
ps Well done with you multitude of cases coming through on other Regiments. Fantastic job.