HERBERT ERNEST WHALE

From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730

As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570

Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.

Picture taken from the Evening Star – 8th June 1945.

Born: 8th September 1917, Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

Died on or since: 4th June 1944; age: 27; shot down at Calera, Italy.

Residence: 96 – 98, Alan Road, Ipswich.

Employed: with the Engineering Staff – Ipswich Post Office.

Herbert was trained in Navigation in South Africa.

Rank: Flight Sergeant/Navigator/Bomber; Service Number: 1576271.

Regiment: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 114 Squadron.

The four bodies were buried together. On the 3rd August 1945, the bodies were exhumed, identified by crosses marking the collective grave and reburied together in a collective grave at Beach Head War Cemetery.

Grave Reference:

Collective Grave XIX.G.10.

Beach Head War Cemetery,

Anzio,

Lazio,

Italy.

Images courtesy of Sean Winters.

Relatives Notified & Address: Youngest son of Archibald James & Alice Whale, of Ipswich.

Father: Archibald James Whale, born January 1874, Ipswich. A Steam Engine Attendant.

Mother: Alice Whale (nee Daldry), born March 1874, Ipswich. A General Shopkeeper.

CENSUS

1921   35, York Road, Ipswich.

Herbert was 3 years and 9 months old and lived with his parents and siblings.

Archibald Whale, 47 years & 5 months old, a Steam Engine Driver for Messrs. Fasey & Co., Race Course, Ipswich.

Alice Whale, 47 years & 2 months old, Home Duties.

Frederick James Whale, 25 years & 8 months old, Gas Works Labourer for Ipswich Gas Company, Duke Street, Ipswich, born Ipswich.

Edith Elizabeth Whale, 18 years & 2 months old, a Butcher’s Clerk for Mr. Bertie Evans Bailey – Butcher, of 62, Woodbridge Road, Ipswich, born Ipswich.

Lily Florence Whale, 16 years & 4 months old, Draper’s Assistant for Brand & Son – Drapers, of Tacket Street, Ipswich, born Ipswich.

Charles Arthur Whale, 14 years & 7 months old, a Coach Trimming Apprentice for McNamara Coach Trimers, of Bridle Way, Ipswich, born Ipswich.

Percy Stanley Whale, 8 years & 1 month old, at School, born Ipswich.

Visiting were Herbert’s brother and his friend:

Leonard Archibald Whale, 22 years & 4 months, a Metropolitan Police Constable for the Metropolitan Police, at 98, High Street, Wapping, London, born Ipswich.

Jessie Esther Saunders, 20 years & 6 months old, Grocer’s Assistant for Imperial Cash Stores, 158, Fore Street, Edmonton.

ENGLAND and WALES REGISTER 1939

Herbert was a Post Office Engineer – Telecommunication Agent. He lived with his parents at their home and the place of his mother’s business.

Archibald, a Steam Engine Attendant.

Alice, a General Shopkeeper.

Herbert was educated at the Central School, Ipswich.

Herbert was a well-known rugger player for Ipswich & District, mostly in connection with the Y.M.C.A. Club, and also a member of the Orwell Works Rowing Club.

Herbert’s brother, Herbert Ernest Whale, born 1901, Ipswich, died on the 25th August 1915, at 50, Devonshire Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, of his second attack of Rheumatic Fever and heart disease, valvular – 1 month and 7 days. Archibald Whale (a stationary engine driver at a corn mill), was present at the death of his 14 year old son.

Herbert’s brother, William Thomas Whale, went missing and was later presumed KiA in the First World War, on the 7th October 1916; age 19. William was a Private, of the Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment), 6th Battalion. He is remembered at the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

Herbert’s brother, Leonard Archibald Whale, was a Police Constable. On the 8th August 1925, he died at St. Thomas’s Hospital, London, of general peritonitis and a perforated duodenal ulcer. He was 26 years of age. His father, Archibald James Whale, of 2, Turin Street, Ipswich, was the informant of death.

Probate to Archibald James Whale – father.

4th June 1944

Aircraft – Boston IIIA BZ257 took off at 00.15 hrs, from Marcianise Airfield, Italy, on a mission to carry out an armed recce of the roads to the east, west and north of Rome. Feld Weble – Helmut Bunje of 4.NJG6 claimed to have shot down the aircraft at Ostia Lido, southwest of Rome, at 01.11 hrs. The aircraft wreckage was discovered in late 1944.

Crew:

Clive Alexander Pickup; Warrant Officer/Pilot; age 31; R.A.A.F.

Wilfred Henry Elsley; Flight Sergeant/Wireless Operator/Air Gunner; age 35; R.A.F.V.R.

Ernest Edward Brett; Sergeant/Air Gunner; age 22; R.A.F.V.R.