Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Private R. Whiting, Middelsex Regiment, who was killed in action on Vimy Ridge on 28 April 1917: pre-war he was a highly successful goalkeeper for Chelsea F.C. and Brighton and Hove Albion F.C., his 6ft. 12-stone frame, long distance kicking and clearance punch gaining him the nickname “Pom-Pom”

1914-15 Star (F-74 Pte., Middx. R.); British War and Victory Medals (F-74 Pte., Middx. R.), with related Memorial Plaque (Robert Whiting), one or two edge bruises and minor contact marks, good very fine (4) £600-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to Great War Casualties formed by Tim Parsons.

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Robert Whiting was born at West Ham, Essex in January 1883 but was a resident of Coleridge Street in Hove, Sussex at the time of his enlistment in the 17th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment in January 1915.

Whiting, ‘one of the finest goalkeepers ever to stand guard for the Albion’, made around 320 appearances for the Club and conceded just 28 goals in over 40 matches in the 1909-10 season when Albion won the Southern League Championship; he was again present in the following September when Albion beat Aston Villa 1-0 at Stamford Bridge and won the F.A. Charity Shield, ‘one of the club’s greatest ever triumphs.’ In fact, “Pom-Pom” - as he became known to the sporting fraternity because of his 6ft. 12 stone frame, long distance kicking and clearance punch - saw off several ambitious understudies and remained a vital member of the team during the Club’s “golden era”. He was due to enjoy a benefit year in 1914 but it was postponed as a result of the War.

He had started his career with West Ham’s reserves and in the Tunbridge Wells Rangers, but transferred to Chelsea in April 1906, playing in some 50 League matches at Stamford Bridge before moving to Brighton and Hove Albion at the Goldstone ground in the summer of 1908. According to one newspaper columnist, it was ‘no exaggeration to say his brilliant “keeping” gained the “Pensioners” a place in Division I of the League ... His kick-off from goal was remarkable and the delight of the “Gods”; in fact on more than one occasion he drove the ball from his goal area to the opposite square - a matter of a hundred yards ...’

Whiting proceeded to France with his regiment in November 1915 and was killed in action on Vimy Ridge on 28 April 1917. Sadly for his widow, who moved to Tunbridge Wells, disgraceful rumours started to circulate about the circumstances of his demise. The following article appeared in The Sussex Daily News:




‘For some time past a dastardly rumour has been in circulation in Brighton to the effect that Whiting, who greatly distinguished himself as a goalkeeper in the service of Brighton and Hove Albion, and previously with Chelsea, was shot as a deserter in France, the real fact being that he fell gallantly in action. Unhappily the rumour has now reached the ears of his widow, and has come as a great shock to her. Fortunately, Mrs. Whiting, who is now living with her fatherless little ones at 3, Albion Square, St. John’s Road, Tunbridge Wells, has in her possession official documents and letters which disprove a foul calumny on the heroic dead. These she has forwarded to Mr. Albert Underwood, Secretary of the Albion, with the request that they should be given all possible publicity. They have been shewn to a representative of the Sussex Daily News, which gladly opens its columns for the purpose. The following is a copy of a letter dated 15 May 1917, which Mrs. Whiting received from 2nd Lieutenant J. G. Howard, acting adjutant, 17th Middlesex Regiment:

‘I very much regret to have to inform you that your husband, No. F-74 Private R. Whiting, of this Battalion, was killed in action on the 28th of last month. He was killed instantaneously by shell-fire in the recent offensive operations. Will you please accept my sincere sympathy in your loss.”

The official notification from the Record Office, which Mrs. Whiting has attached to this letter is also dated 15 May 1917. It acquaints her that her husband was “killed in action” on 28 April 1917, encloses her the King and Queen’s gracious message of sympathy, and also expresses the regret of the Army Council “at the soldier’s death in his country’s service.”

The officer commanding ‘B’ Company, 17th Middlesex Regiment, wrote to Mrs. Whiting:

“Your husband lost his life while attending to the wounded under fire, and died while doing his duty both well and nobly. He is buried very near the scene of the action near Vimy Ridge.”

Mrs. Whiting also received a letter of sympathy and condolence from the Rev. Donald Murray, Chaplain to the Forces. In this he said:

“Your husband was killed at the post of duty during an attack on the 28th instantaneously by shell fire. It is sad for those left behind but you must remember there is a world to come ... ” ’

Whiting has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial and on Hove’s war memorial in the town library. Sold with comprehensive research, including numerous copied individual and group photographs.