The 1901 census places this family at 3 Maes y Dre, Mold. The head of the family was also called Walter Whitley. He was a 38 year old engine driver. His wife was Mary 38 and they lived with their children John 13, Annie 10, Ellen 7, Walter 5 and Catherine 2 months.
In the 1911 census the family was still at 3 Maes y Dre and the ‘Tin Plate Works’ in Mold provided employment for 3 of them. Father Walter was a ‘Stationary Engine Man’, Ellen 17 was an ‘Assorter’ and Walter 15 was an ‘Attendant’ all at the Tin Plate Works. In the household in addition was mother Mary 48 and the youngest May who was 7 and at school. The form tell us that Mary had given birth to 7 children, six of whom had survived. The family gravestone in Mold cemetery continues the family story as Walter and Mary lost another three of their children.
Prior to him enlisting Walter was a furnaceman at the Tin Plate Works. The family house was Ffynnonfa Cottage Maes y Dre.
Many thanks for help with this story from David Rowe of Mold Civic Society. Most of the images on this page were provided by him.
The inscription on the gravestone reads as follows
In Loving Memory of
Thomas Henry
Son of Walter and Mary Whitley, Maes y Dre Mold
Entered into rest Feb 21st 1901
Aged 16 yrs
In love he lived, in peace he died
His life was desired but God denied
Also Cassie
daughter of the above
who entered into rest January 5th 1916
Aged 15 years.
Thy will be done
Also in Loving memory of
Pte Walter Whitley RMLI
Son of the above named
who was wounded in the raid on Zeebrugge and Ostend
on the Belgian Coast April 23rd 1918
And died in the Naval Hospital at Chatham
July 17 1918 aged 22years
He has given his life for his country’s cause
May he rest in peace.
The Zeebrugge Hero
Well done, well done ye hero bold
England swells it to and fro
Love for your country you have shown
Left dismayed the Zeebrugge foe
Sleep on brave heart in perfect peace
Your task on earth is done
For Christ our king shall crown you with
The crown of life you’ve won
HMS Vindictive.
Annie Blackwell daughter of above
January 2nd 1919
Aged 28 yrs
Walter Whitley Funeral
Town Medal
British War Medal and Victory Medal
To read more about the 1918 raid on Zeebrugge and Ostend follow the linkhttp://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/zeebrugge.htm
Walter was related (cousin) to two other Whitleys named on the Mold memorial. Follow the links to each of them. They were brothers Harold Whitley and Thomas John Whitley.
‘The Cold Roll Boys’ at The Tin Plate Works in Mold. Walter Whitley is on the right of the back row. This lovely photograph was given to David Rowe at an Exhibition of Mold Historical Society in September 2019. David apologises for being busy and not making a note of the gentleman’s name. If the gentleman can make contact with us (Contact page on this website) we can credit him as the provider of the photograph. We believe too, that he could name other boys in the photograph.
Walter Whitley