L-Cpl* Harry Whinnett, 9289, 1st Rifle Brigade, was killed in action on April 26th, 1915. Prior to the war he was a police constable in Grimsby whose mother lived at 103 Frederic Street, Luton.

His wife Annie and three children, who lived at 61 Fraser Street, Grimsby, learned of his death in an official War Office notification.

Harry Whinnett was the first Grimsby policeman to lose his life at the front. He had joined the police in May 1906 and was one of the few reservists in the Grimsby force. He was called up at the outbreak of hostilities.

He had for several seasons been captain of the Police Football Club at Grimsby and was an accomplished swimmer.

Born in Flamstead, Harry (Thomas) was the son of Alfred, a licensed victualler who died in 1896, and Sarah Ann (nee Waller). His parents had married in 1878.

The 1901 Census recorded Harry as a straw hat dyer living in Albion Road, Luton

*The Luton News report of his death calls him Corporal Whinnett, the CWGC record shows him as a lance corporal. Other sources describe him as an acting corporal.