Christopher Whitmore Family Tree and Genealogy

Robert Whitmore 1896 - 1964

 

Born in 1896 in Frizington, Robert Whitmore joined the navy at an early age, serving on the HMS Oriana. After the end of the First World War he married Clara Hodcroft in Standish. Between 1924 and 1927 he moved to Stainforth, near Doncaster where his older brother, Matthew was already established. Robert worked at Hatfield Main colliery until his retirement in 1961.

Known as "Bob"

From the newspaper information below (retired at 65 in 1961) it is deduced that Robert Whitmore was born about 15 September 1896. Together with Admiralty records it is confirmed that he was born in Whitehaven 1896 and is shown as such in the 1901 census.

1901 census 10 Nook Street Arlecdon				Where born
Robert Whitmore	30	Head	Iron Ore Miner	Cumberland, Whitehaven
Eleanore	28	Wife		Cumberland, Whitehaven
Mathew	8	Son		Cumb Frizington
Winifred	6	Dau		Cumb Frizington
Robert	4	Son		Cumb Frizington
Edward	1	Son		Cumb Frizington

 

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HMS Oriana

 

Marriage of Robert Whitmore and Clara Ellen Hodcroft 1922

Surname	Forename(s)	Surname	Forename(s)	Church / Register Office	Registers At	Reference	Year
WHITMORE	Robert	Hodcroft	Clara Ellen	Wigan, Register Office or Registrar Attended	Wigan & Leigh	ROW/154/151	1922

Related Topics:
- Parents - Clara Ellen Hodcroft

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The Children

Joseph Ronald Whitmore

Birth of Joseph Ronald Whitmore 1923

Surname	Forename(s)	Sub-District	Registers At	Reference	Year
WHITMORE	Joseph Ronald	Standish	Wigan & Leigh	STND/50/380	1923

 

Gerard Whitmore

The birth certificate of Gerard shows that in 1924 Robert and Clara were living at 131 Preston Road, Standish, and that Robert was a miner.

 

Mary J Whitmore

Mary J Whitmore born 1927, the birth registered in Thorne.

 

Related Topics:
- Gerard Whitmore - Mary J Whitmore

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Do you know who these children married? Where are their families now?

 

Those Were the Days

From ourjo.org.uk/shistory

In the early days (1923) a Norbertine Canon would travel from Crowle on a motorbike to celebrate mass at the home of Mrs Higgins, who lived in Stanley Gardens, Stainforth. This mass was conducted in Latin and the congregation amounted to about 12. Later that year, the West Riding School, on Thorne Road was built, and mass was celebrated in a small room within the school.

As the congregation got a little bigger, Sunday mass, was moved to the Market Hall, Stainforth Market Place, Field Road, Fr Magarity would attend from Crowle, bringing with him the bread and wine. The Mass was still celebrated in Latin; however, a fiddle was played to accompany the singing of hymns.

In 1929, the owners of Hatfield Main Colliery leased the land off East Lane, for a period of 99 years, stating that it should be used for the building of a church and associated buildings. Subsequently, in January 1929, permission was granted to build a Catholic Mission Hall, on completion the building was named The Catholic Club. (now the Small Hall)

The Times

British industry stopped on 4th May, 1926 when between 3 and 4 million workers obeyed their Trade Unions and stopped work when a General Strike was declared in sympathy with the miners. Mine owners wanted the colliers to work longer hours for less pay. The miners themselves wanted a national basic wage, seven hours work per day and the pits to be nationalised, as they had been during World War I. The strike lasted for seven months and the miners returned to district wage settlements, and an increase in working hours.

With a new pit being sunk at Stainforth...Hatfield Main Colliery, Stainforth in the late 20's / early 1930's was the place to be for work.

Doncaster Gazette, Thursday September 21, 1961

Here is the transcript as best as I can make out : If anyone can make out the missing words I would be most grateful.

"Mr. Robert Whitmore, aged 64, baths superintendent at Hatfield Main Colliery, since 1934, retired on Friday, when Mr. G Hayes, Colliery Manager,presented him with an inscribed clock on behalf of the baths attendants and a cheque on behalf of the management and clerical staff and workers.Mr. Hayes paid tribute to Mr. Whitmore for his long service to Baths atd management and wished Mr. and Mrs. Whitmore a happy retirement. Sister K.M. Brown of the Medical Center presented Mr. Whitmore with a battery shaver and a illuminated scroll from the medical center and canteen staffs and Mrs. E. Ellis, canteen manageress presented Mr. Whitmore with a bouquet. Mr. F Clark(?) , secretary of the local N.U.M. Branch, Mr. Matt Bosby(?), N.U.M. branch president and Mr G (?) for the baths attendants also paid tribute to him. Mr. Whitmore became superintendant of the baths when they opened in May 1934, previously working underground. Before that he served 12 years in the Royal Navy receiving long service and good conduct medals. He served in the Dardanelles and convoys (to) Russia and was a member of the crew of the HMS Oriana during her dramatic rescue of passengers and salvage of the liner Galway Castle. While at Stainforth Mr. Whitmore was instrumental in bringing the first Catholic Priest in the village in 1919/20. He is also a long serving member of the R.O.A.B. pride of Stainforth ----- (?). A past president of the local bowling club, trustee of the Miners(?) Coal Scheme(?), a committee member of the Hatfield Main Benevolent Fund and a former committee member of the Central Club. During the war years he served in the Home Guard."

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From TLC at Stainforhonline.co.uk "If it is of any help regarding the recent discussion re Bob Whitmore I can pass on a little information. In 1937 a Robert Whitmore lived at 15 First Square Stainforth. It seems at this time he had two sons - Gerard b.4-8 24 and William b.4-10-25." *note: William would have been the son of Mathew Whitmore and Lily Kennedy.
		Stainforth Home Guard. It is believed that Robert Whitmore is Front row, 2nd from the left Photo courtesy of Stainforhonline.co.uk

 

Robert Whitmore died in Stainforth, 1964, the death being registered at Don Valley.

 

Timeline

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This Page Last Corrected and Updated 02/04/2010