Sketches from the trenches - The life and service of 2nd Lieutenant Noel Whittles

A new collection of sketches by 2nd Lieutenant Noel Whittles of the Lancashire Fusiliers is now on display in the museum.

Noel’s military career started in 1909 at the young age of 18 when he volunteered as a Clerk with the 6th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment. In 1915, he was commissioned into the Lancashire Fusiliers and posted to the 19th battalion. Later that year he was sent to France where he experienced the harsh realities of life in the trenches – conditions of which he captured through sketches using humour to cope with the difficulties he faced.

Much of Noel’s service during the First World War was spent in the trenches either repairing or maintaining them. In April 1918 he was wounded whilst serving southwest of Ypres and was sent back to England for treatment. During his recovery he joined the Warwickshire regiment training young soldiers for the remainder of the war.

After the war Noel resumed work as a Clerk and in 1921, he married Lillian. They settled in Greater Manchester  and had two children – Graham born in 1924 and Margaret in 1926. When the Second World War broke out, Noel once again answered the call and joined the Home Guard.

Tragically history repeated itself when Graham joined the army aged 18 on 19th November 1942 but was sadly killed in Normandy on the 14th July 1944 at just 20 years old near the same trenches his father fought in. Later that year Noel also passed away leaving behind a legagcy of declaration, resilience and sacrifice.

The sketches along with other personal items such as images and service records have been kindly donated by Noel’s grandson David Burrows. A huge thank you to David for sharing them with us and allowing us to tell Noel’s story!