Warwick, George - George Warwick lived in ’Gravel Pit Cottages’ or ‘Cemetery Cottages’ on the Codicote Road with his widowed mother Sarah when he attested to join the Bedfordshire Regiment in December 1915. He was then a 34 year old painter. However on being mobilised he was found to have a deformed foot and was discharged as being medically unfit
Welch, Charles - Born on the 12th November 1884, Charles Welch was a Jobbing Gardener living in the Codicote Road. He joined the 7th Bedfordshire Regiment and was posted missing in action on the 23rd April 1917. In August he wrote to his parents that he was in fact a prisoner of war in hospital at Dulmon, Germany. He had been injured and his left leg amputated above the knee, but that he was receiving good medical attention. His brother William (below) served in the 1st Bedfordshire Regiment. In 1939 both brothers were living together on the Codicote Road, listed as ‘Disabled Soldiers’
Welch, Harry - Harry Welch lived in The Plain and served in the Labour Corps.
Welch, William James - William Welch, brother of Charles (above) was born in Welwyn on the 17th April 1887. In 1911 he was living in the Codicote Road with his parents Charles and Emma and working as a labourer. He served with D Company of the 1st Bedfordshire Regiment. In 1939 both brothers were living together on the Codicote Road, listed as ‘Disabled Soldiers’
Wells, A - This man is not positively identified but served from January 1916 in the 1st Battalion, Essex Regiment, attaining the rank of Lance Corporal. He fought at Arras, Ypres, Langemarck and Cambrai, but was severely wounded on the Somme in April 1918. After recovering in the UK he was discharged in November 1918.
Whittle, Albert Augustus - Albert Whittle was born in Edmonton in 1891 to George and Alice Whittle - George was a gardener and also kept The Steamer Beerhouse, where Albert lived in 1911. Both he and his brother, Warwick (below), attended Welwyn Evening School. Albert served in the 5th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps. His sister Ellen (below) served in the WAACs, whilst his brother Warwick (below) served in the Wiltshire Regiment. In 1932 Albert married Annie Studman nee Young, sister of Francis Young MM, who died of wounds in 1918 and widow of Albert Victor Studman. Albert died in the QVM in 1967.
Whittle, Ellen May - Ellen May Whittle, known as Dolly, had been born in Edmonton in 1898 to George and Alice Whittle of The Steamer, although she was baptised in Welwyn in 1901. In 1911 she lived there with two sisters and two brothers, including Warwick (below) and Albert (above). Ellen was the first Welwyn woman to join the WAAC. In October 1918 she married Company Sergeant Major William Scobling of the Coldstream Guards in St Mary's Church. She died in London in 1957.
Whittle, Warwick Neville - Warwick Whittle was born in Winchmore Hill in 1893 to Gardener George and his wife Alice. By 1910 however, George and Alice had taken over The Steamer, where they lived with their family, then of seven children. George and Alice were beer Retailers but George still worked as a Gardener, as did his sons, including Warwick. He joined the Wiltshire Regiment in September 1914. He served in France until the end of the war and was demobilised in May 1919. He died in Swindon in 1966. His sister Ellen (above) served in the WAACs, whilst his brother Albert (above) served in the Machine Gun Corps.
Wilding, Augustus - Augustus Wilding was born in Suffolk in 1880. In 1906, as a labourer, he married Annie Lyles in Welwyn and they lived on The Plain, now the junction of School Lane and the High Street. Annie was the sister of Leonard Lyles, who unsuccessfully tried to join the Yeomanry underage. Augustus served in the 2nd Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment, the London Regiment and lastly the Labour Corps. He died in Welwyn in 1927.
Winch, Wallace William - Wallace Winch was born in Codicote, 1893, to William, a Stockman, and his wife Minnie. Wallace worked as a Baker and in July 1914 married Winifred Maud Smith in Tottenham. At this time he gave his address as Church Street. Wallace served in the 2/1st Herts Cyclist Battalion. After the war the family lived in School Lane and Wallace worked as a van driver.
Wyman, Robert George - Robert Wyman had been born in Codicote in 1888 and worked at Poulton’s Tailors in Welwyn. In 1916 he married Edith Mary Dear, elder sister of Arthur and Frederick Dear and they lived in the High Street. In 1916 Robert joined the new Royal Flying Corps along with his workmate David Pearce. He was transferred to the RAF Reserve in February 1919 and discharged just over a year later.
