Rank:
Private
Service No(s):
169690 / 33623
Regiment:
Army Service Corps, Royal Warwickshire Regt.
Unit:
Not known
Returned:
Yes
Place of birth:
Holloway, London
Occupation:
Milk boy at Aylesbury Dairy
Date of death:
Cause of death:
Grave or panel reference:
Name of father:
James Wheeler
Name of siblings:
Horace, Godfrey, Henry, Cecil, Ada
Name(s) of children:
Died:
No
Date of birth:
Place of enlistment:
Holloway, Middlesex
Event:
Age at death:
Cemetery or memorial:
Other memorial:
Name of mother:
Ada Wheeler
Name of spouse:
Address:
24 Bedford Terrace, Finsbury Park, N. (1911 Census)
Biography:
Harold James Wheeler was one of two brothers whose names are engraved on the St Mellitus organ plaques. He is on the list of returning soldiers. Henry Wheeler, his youngest brother, is named on the plaque listing fallen soldiers from the First World War.
Harold was the third oldest brother in the Wheeler family. He was born in Jan 1895 in Holloway, London. At the age of 16 years old, recorded in the 1911 census, Harold’s occupation was a milk boy at Aylesbury Dairy. He continued as a milk carrier until he enlisted at the age of 21 years old on 1st March 1916 in Holloway. British Army WW1 records for 1914-1920 show Harold signed a Short Service Attestation form. His address was still listed as 27 Bedford Terrace, Finsbury Park and his father’s name, James, was recorded. Short Service Attestation (enlistment) was introduced by Lord Kitchener, in 1914, under which a man could serve for “three years or the duration of the war, whichever the longer.” This was rather than enlisting for 12 years of service normally demanded when joining the army.
WWI War Medals records record that Private Harold James Wheeler was awarded the Victory Medal and British War Medal.