The Collection of Medals to Great War Casualties formed by Tim Parsons

Four: Company Quarter-Master Sergeant E. C. Whiskin, 16th London Regiment (The Queen’s Westminster Rifles), who was killed in action at Houplines on 3 May 1915

1914 Star, with clasp (43 Sjt., 1/16 Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (43 C. Sjt., 16-Lond. R.); Volunteer Force Long Service, E.VII.R. (5310 Sjt., 13/Middx. V.R.C.), with related Memorial Plaque (Ernest Charles Whiskin) and two Westminster Rifles’ shooting awards for 1899 and 1903, bronze, both named, good very fine and better and an unusual combination to a Great War casualty (7) £350-400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to Great War Casualties formed by Tim Parsons.

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The Roll of Honour, by The Marquis de Ruvigny states:

‘Whiskin, Ernest Charles, Company Quarter-Master Sergeant, 16th (Queen’s Westminster Rifles) Battalion, The London Regiment (T.F.), 2nd son of the late Charles Frederick Whiskin, by his wife, Susanna Agnes; born Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, 13 May 1870, and educated there. He joined the Queen’s Westminster Rifles in 1892, and in 1908, when the Territorial Force was formed, he continued his service in the same regiment. Holding an important position at Messrs. Jas. Shootbred & Co. Ltd., he was for many years a Sergeant in the firm’s Company, which rank he held when the Battalion left for France on 1 November 1914. His was the first Company to take over a fire trench on the 14th of that month, when they relieved ‘B’ Company of the East Yorkshires at Burnt-out Farm, near Gris Pot, he being at the time No. 1 Platoon Sergeant. He was promoted to Company Quarter-Master Sergeant on 26 February 1915, and was killed in action at Houplines, Flanders, 3 May following. C.Q.M.S. Whiskin had the Volunteer Long Service Medal, and received mention by his Colonel for good service in France; he was a good shot, and was held in high esteem by his officers, brother N.C.Os and men. He married at St. Pancras, Marylebone Road, London on 6 September 1902, Annie Ethel (Bancroft, Powys Lane, Palmer’s Green, London N.), daughter of Henry Barham of Hitchin, and had two daughters.’

Whiskin’s death in action is referred to in the Battalion’s war diary:

‘3 May: The Battalion lost three killed and eight wounded, one of the killed being C.Q.M.S. E. C. Whiskin, who came out with the Battalion in ‘A’ Company. He had done good work in France, and the loss of his influence and personality was a great blow both to his Company and the Battalion.’

He was buried in the Houplines Communal Cemetery Extension; photographs of his gravestone are included.