I cannot find a David Wheatley who lived locally here in Deeside, and the only David Wheatley that I could find on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission database is this David Wheatley, who may or may not be the one named on the Hawarden WW2 War Memorial. However, I will tell part of his his story, as he was a young 21-year-old lad, who was to be part of a historical battle against the odds when the 7th Bn Royal Sussex Regiment suffered horrendous losses on the 20th of May 1940. David Wheatley was among those who died that day, and he should be remembered even if he is not a local lad.
Any information to clarify or add to his story would be gratefully received as I do want to make the connection of this David Wheatley to the area and the reasoning for his name to be put forward, and if he is not the right man, then both David Wheatley’s’ would have their story known for their sacrifice.
This David Wheatley was the son of Benjamin & Esther Wheatley (nee Field) who had married on the 20th of February 1907 in Sussex. His address then was Ivy Cottage, Upper Dicke, Sussex. Benjamin Wheatley was a Strict Baptist, according to his Attestation Papers, he was attested on the 11th of December 1915, his Regimental Number was 436855, in the West Kent (Q.O.) Yeomanry on the 12th of April 1916 and then transferred to the 449th Agricultural Coy, Labour Corps., on the 19th of September 1917. He was discharged on the 25th of May 1919 from the 427 Labour Corps. (Late W.Y.K. Devon), his address then was Wick Street, Arlington. His disability was Rheumatism. I have his Attestation Papers if you would like to see them.
David Wheatley was the son of Benjamin and Esther Wheatley and is seen for the first time on the 1921 census, which was taken on the 19th of June 1921, living at the Gate House, Malling, Lewes, Sussex. Benjamin Wheatley is 35 years and 2 months old born at Hellingly, Sussex and was a working Foreman (Farmers) for Misses Caffins, Farmers, Old Malling, Lewes, Sussex. His wife, Esther Wheatley was 34 years and 11 months old and had been born in Chiddingly, Sussex. Their children were, Benjamin John Wheatley, 13 years, and 10 months old and Mary E. Wheatley, 5 years and 6 months old, both born at Hellingly, while David Wheatley, age 2 years and 6 months old had been born at Horeham,Rd., Sussex.
CWGC History Information
For much of the First World War, Abbeville was headquarters of the Commonwealth lines of communication and No.3 BRCS, No.5 and No.2 Stationary Hospitals were stationed there variously from October 1914 to January 1920. The communal cemetery was used for burials from November 1914 to September 1916, the earliest being made among the French military graves. The extension was begun in September 1916. During the early part of the Second World War, Abbeville was a major operational aerodrome, but the town fell to the Germans at the end of May 1940. On 4 June, an attempt was made by the 51st Division, in conjunction with the French, to break the German bridgehead, but without success. Towards the end of 1943, eight large ski shaped buildings appeared near Abbeville. These proved to be storage units for flying bomb components, and they were heavily bombed by Commonwealth air forces. Abbeville was retaken on 4 September 1944 by Canadian and Polish units. Abbeville Communal Cemetery contains 774 Commonwealth burials of First World War and 30 from the Second. The Extension contains 1,754 First World War burials and 348 from the Second*. The Commonwealth sections of both cemetery and extension were designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.
*The BBC Peoples War story by Dan Osborne states that the 430 men who died on the 20th of May 1940 were buried at Abbeville. Please read his story on the link https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/29/a6937329.shtml
It is imperative that you read the story that was written on the BBC Archives above, for the sake of all the men of the 7th Bn. The Royal Sussex Regiment and all other men who were caught up in Dunkirk and the preceding events.
David Wheatley’s name was put forward by someone in the Hawarden area and although I am not sure if this is the right one, as he is the only David Wheatley that I could find on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Website, not every man or woman who died is on there. There are many who are not and there are efforts to make sure that everyone one who died, either serviceman or servicewoman, or civilian is named. This website is one that helps – https://www.infromthecold.org/casualties.asp?from=search
David Wheatley was very much loved by a close relative, or a friend and they made sure his name was put forward for it to be remembered in perpetuity. If anyone has any information, please contact the website.
