St Nicholas' Gosforth

[rmt1]

I am trying to research the life of my great-great uncle, pte Joshua Whitfield and so far I've had little success.
What I know is: 1) he fought in ww1. he was in a Northumberlad regiment (i don't know which one) and his service number was 5087
                          2) he suffered from shell shock and having spent the rest of his life in various institutions (don't know which ones) he died in St Nichols', Gosforth in 1976.

He does not appear on the Medal card index (well I can't find him!)

Can anyone help point me in tha right direction?

Thanks

rmt1

[Gadget]

Hi

The records for St Nicholas Hospital are held at the Tyne and Wear Archives:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/nra/searches/subjectView.asp?ID=O64299

A bit more about it here:

http://tinyurl.com/yzjatz5


(you'll have to step through the index to find the correct ref - there are 464 items listed)

I'll see if I can find a service record for hom.


Gadget

[nort]

hi
found a medal index for a Joshia Whitfield Northumberland Fusiliers 5087,he had also been in the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (Depot).Had the British and Victory medals.Enlisted 10-12-15,discharged 4-7-19.
Discharge cause "Para.392(XVI) KR.2"

Steve

[rmt1]

Thanks gadget,

I read the information on the link you gave to St Nicholas', Gosforth. It confirms what I suspected regarding the type of institution that Joshua lived in  for the rest of his life after the war.

Being new to RootsChat I wasn't sure if I was able to use words like 'lunatic' or 'asylum' but I guess it's ok when used in the right context.

As a family we simply didn't know of his existence. It is only through my research of Pte Frederick (Fred) Whitfield (my great-grandfather, who servedwith the 19th battalion of the Norhumberland Fusiliers) that I have discovered Joshua who was his brother.  Fred died in 1943 and until now there has been no mention of Joshua. I have heard of a 'family legend' that says that Joshua attacked an Officer. I know nothing more than this other than his service number 5087 which is mentioned in documents from Fred.

Thanks for your interest. Maybe i need to email you directly, you will have to tell me how to do this though!

regards

rmt1

[Gadget]

Hi Steve
 I found a pension record earlier (Willington,Co. Durham)  but the no. was different and he was in the Royal Engineers  so not sure 


Same reason for discharge 'No longer fit for War service'


Gadget

[nort]

hi Gadget
on the image it looked like Joshua to me not Joshia but it must be transcribed wrong.it has to be him surely.

Steve

[Gadget]

There are 16 pages - and he seems to have had an inner ear infection and deafness

One page refers to him as John though 

[Gadget]

Do you have a rough date  and place of birth for him, rmt?

This might confirm the pension record as he's named as John on more than one of the pages but it seems to tie in with Steve's find.


Gadget

[rmt1]

Hi
Thanks for the interest in Joshua Whitfield. I believe the year of his birth was 1896. 

Rmt1