Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Harry Whiting a domestic servant and groom, born 1860 in Sherwood, Nottingham and his wife Eliza Whiting (nee Hall, married in the 1st quarter of 1888 in the Loughborough, Leicestershire district), a framework knitter, born 1865 in Long Whatton, Leicestershire. Edwin Whiting was born in the 1st quarter of 1888 in Long Whatton, his siblings were, Gertrude Hall, born in the 1st quarter of 1887 and Ada, born on the 7th February 1891, both his siblings were born in Long Whatton, in April 1891 the family home was at The Green, Long Whatton. In March 1901 Edwin was absent from the family home at Top Side Survy, Long Whatton, residing there was his father, a domestic groom, his mother and siblings, Gertrude, a hosiery wool maker, Ada, a schoolgirl, Nelly, a schoolgirl, born in the 4th quarter of 1892, Ernest, a schoolboy, born in the 4th quarter of 1895 and Charles, born in the 1st quarter of 1898, the latter three siblings were all born in Long Whatton, Edwin was employed as a general farm labourer and was residing as a servant at Glebe Farm, Long Whatton. In April 1911 Edwin was absent from the family home at Mill Lane, Long Whatton, residing there was his widowed father, a domestic coachman, and his siblings, Nelly, a domestic housekeeper and Charles, a schoolboy, meanwhile, Edwin was employed as a domestic coachman and was residing as a boarder at Main Street, Normanton on Soar, Nottinghamshire. His younger brother Ernest fell in action on the 24th March, 1918
Edwin’s Army enlistment documents do not survive, all that is known of his military service is that he had been an Army Reservist, and had been mobilized at the outbreak of war, rejoining the Derbyshire Yeomanry with the service number 1509. He first entered the theatre of war on the 27th April, 1915, when his Regiment embarked for Egypt, and in August the Regiment landed in Gallipoli, where they served as dismounted troops. Nothing further is known of his military service until he was officially recorded as being killed in action on the 21st August 1915, while serving with the 1/1st Derbyshire Yeomanry. His body was never recovered and he is commemorated on the Helles Memorial to the Missing, Gallipoli. Edwin was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The War Diary records: 21 Aug-15 – LALA BABA. The Brigade marched across the plain to CHOCOLATE HILL under heavy shell fire for 1 mile and a ¼ a number of casualties were incurred. The Brigade was very steady under their first experience of active service. CHOCOLATE HILL. 16.50. The Brigade attacked CHOCOLATE HILL 4.50pm Lieutenant WORTHINGTON acting staff Captain (temporarily on Divisional staff) was wounded. 18.30. The Brigade attack was ordered out by the South end of CHOCOLATE HILL to support the attack of 1st and 4th Brigades on H.W. 112. (North). 20.00. The Brigade lost direction and extended the line to the right, the objective was not reached and after a short retirement held on to the line 92.c.42, 400 yards North. About this time Colonel COLE, SOUTH NOTTINGHAMSHIRE HUSSARS was severely wounded and Colonel Sir J. MILBANKE V.C. SHERWOOD RANGERS was killed. Major LANCE 19th LANCERS (FH) assumed command of the Brigade.
On Wednesday September 22nd, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Official notification has been received by Mr. H. Whiting, of Mill-lane, Long Whatton, of the death of his eldest son, PRIVATE EDWIN WHITING, B Squadron, 1st Derbyshire Yeomanry, who was killed in action on August 21st, presumably in the Gallipoli Peninsula. Mr. Whiting has another son, Private Ernest Whiting, in the 2nd/5th Leicester’s (Territorial’s). Private Edwin Whiting was 27 years of age, and a reservist called up at the commencement of the campaign. In a letter received recently he remarked that if there was a bullet with his name on he should get it, and would be prepared to die happy for King and country. Much sympathy is felt for his father, brothers and sisters. This is the second Long Whatton man to make the supreme sacrifice.
On Friday September 24th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” LONG WHATTON YEOMAN KILLED. – Official notification has been received by Mr. H. Whiting, of Mill Lane, Long Whatton, of the death of his eldest son, Pte. Edwin Whiting, of B Squadron, 1st Derbyshire Yeomanry, who was killed in action on August 21, presumably in the Gallipoli Peninsula. Mr. Whiting has another son, Private Ernest Whiting, in the 2/5th Leicester’s (Territorial’s). Pte. Edwin Whiting was 27 years of age, and a reservist, called up at the commencement of the campaign. In a letter received recently, he remarked that if there was a bullet with his name on he should get it, and would be prepared to die happy for King and country. Much sympathy is felt for his father, brothers and sisters. This is the second Long Whatton man to make the supreme sacrifice.
On Saturday, September, 25th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published a photograph and the following:- LEICESTER’S ROLL OF HONOUR. – Pte. E. WHITING “B” Squadron, 1st Derbyshire Yeomanry, killed in action at the Dardanelles on August 21st. His home was at Long Whatton.