7TH JULY 1916 " FIRST OVER THE PARAPET" DEATH OF SERGT T.E. WHITEMAN News has been received of the death of Sgt T.E. Whiteman, of the 10th Sherwood Foresters (Bomber's Battalion) husband of Mrs Whiteman of Grandfield Rd Loscoe. A letter received to Sgt White man's mother, now of Alfreton, but formerly of Aldercar, from a hospital nurse in France is as follows 13th General Hospital: Dear Mrs Whiteman, I am grieved to have to write to tell you that your son died in this Hospital yesterday. He was seriously wounded, and although an operation was performed and his leg amputated, we could not save his life. He was a good fellow, and so patient. I am sure he will be a great loss to you, as I am sure you will understand with deepest sympathy Yours truly E.M.Thorold Sister in charge. On the day the above letter was written, Mrs Whiteman received a letter from her husband, who was then all right and told of the Sherwoods fighting he had been passing through for four days, and how he had killed five Germans and paid them out for his brothers death. He also sent several shoulder straps with decorations of bombs sewn in red on of the 18th regiment. Sergt Whiteman was one of the first men in the district to volunteer, having been previously a member of the Heanor Ambulance Corps. He was very popular, being of a happy and cheerful disposition. His soldier matesdescribed him as one of the bravest of men, and always the first over the parapet at the charge. He had been in the Army nearly two years, and had spent twelve months at the front. His last leave was in February last. He comes off a family, which has suffered much from the war. His brother Pte James Whiteman, was killed only a month ago, Pte Frank Whiteman, who was shot through the face, early in the war. The wife and parents have the deepest sympathy of all in their great sacrifice.