Blackmore: Wheal family

Received
13 March 2010

Hi

I’m a Navestock / Stapleford Abbots Wheal who has been researching the name for a number of years, but alas have not found a direct family connection with Blackmore (yet).

I am interested in those members of the Wheal Family who served or were killed in both World Wars. I notice from the War Memorial there a number of Wheal’s mentioned. I am a bit confused as it appears on your website that there are 5 A Wheal’s mentioned. One died and four came home. Have I read this right? I am also interested in attending the War Memorial event mentioned this year if not too late as an unconnected “Wheal”.

Also are there any Wheal’s still in the village?

Hoping you can clarify my confusion.

Dave Wheal
Colchester


Replied
14 March 2010

Hello Dave

Thank you for visiting the website and thank you for your E mail.

Research on the lives of those recorded on the War Memorial is ongoing and can be followed on the Blackmore Area Local History blog, http://www.blackmorehistory.blogspot.com/. The blog has a handy search facility so typing in your family name will reveal everything published to date on this site. There are several entries so far for Wheal.

The main website includes a list of those who died (http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/blackmorewwone.html) and those who survived the Great War but returned home (http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/blackmorewwonesurvivors.html ). The Memorial on the village green contains the names of those from the First World War only.

The War Memorial records three Wheals, all with an initial ‘A’.

Driver Alfred John Wheal was killed. The research team has been able to establish his details and place of death and burial. Blackmore’s Baptism Register [ERO D/P 266/1/11] records an Alfred John Wheal baptised on 13th December 1885 (with the Vicar adding “born 19/8/85”). His parents were Charles, a labourer, and Sarah, of Swallows Cross, Blackmore.

There are two survivors: a Lance Corporal A Wheal who served in the Machine Gun Corps, and a Stoker A Wheal who served in the Royal Navy. Researching the survivors is more difficult. From the documents analysed so far we have four possible candidates to allocate to two possible names. So there is quite a lot of sorting to do on this one and we are hoping that somewhere out there, there is a Wheal who can identify who is who.

At the time of writing I am not sure of the Parish Council’s intentions regarding a potential rededication event following completion of the cleaning and re-engraving. I will establish the timescale for the work itself and will let you know, posting any information I have on this on both the website and the blog. Of course, whether or not the work is completed, the annual Remembrance Service around the War Memorial will be held this year at 10.50am on Sunday 14 November 2010.

To my knowledge there are no Wheals remaining in the village.

If you are able to fill in any details I would be very pleased to hear from you.

Regards

Andrew


Received
14 March 2010

Hi Andrew

Found the attached which might be of use. Please could I ask that the info is checked (I might have made a slip of the pen!)

Regards

Dave


Information:
Charles Wheal & Sarah Ann Little had a number of children, including:

Arthur Charles Wheal.
Born 10 January 1881. Doddinghurst.
Served in the Royal Navy K37757 Stoker
Married Annie Florence Ovel 1920ish
And died 15 January 1944

Albert Edward Wheal
Baptised 10 January 1887. Blackmore
Served Private Machine Gun Corps 35906
Married Annie Theresa Knight 1918ish
Died 5 July 1971

Alfred John Wheal
Sept 1885 Ongar 4a 281
Killed in Action. Arras 1917
On Arras Memorial to the missing
Visited July 2004


Replied
14 March 2010

Hello Dave

Thank you for this information which appears to confirm the names of those commemorated on the War Memorial as survivors.

Arthur Charles Wheal married, age 39, at Blackmore on 17th April 1920.

Albert Edward Wheal married at Blackmore on 2nd November 1918, describing his profession as ‘soldier’.

In the 1891 census Charles Wheal is head of household living at Doddinghurst Road. This is the last entry in the list before the enumerator moves to Mountnessing Road. This certainly pinpoints their place of residence at Swallows Cross at what is now the junction of Wyatts Green Lane with Mountnessing Road right on the edge of Blackmore parish.

I have two photographs, one inscribed on the back ‘Ted Wheal. Uncle. Mrs Dorothy Nicholson served in 1st world war” and ‘Jack Wheal – same as Ted’. Ted is wearing a military uniform whilst Jack looks to be wearing a naval uniform. I will ask around and see if I can get the uniforms positively identified.

Regards

Andrew


Received
14 March 2010

Many thanks for the info you gave me, helps fill in a couple of gaps.

Glad my info helped in your project. If I find anyone connected with the War Memorial I will pass on the news about the War Memorial restoration.

Regards

Dave