Tom Mather

The Whittle Family Tom Mather

This book covers a 95 year period of one family, in particular father and son. Who lived in Chorley and Lytham in the North of England. Humphrey Whittle born into a wealthy mining family was to play a major part in two sporting events in Lancashire. The first was back in 1878 when the rage was for floodlighting sporting events. Sheffield were the first to play Association Football under lights while Broughton were the first to play Rugby Union under lights. Humphrey's Chorley Rugby Union Club were to attempt a floodlit game only to see it descend into a farce. In that same year he was instrumental in organising the second oldest Rugby Union Cup Competition that was played in Blackpool. He and the Chorley team lifted the cup which is still in existence today. Sadly with his footballing exploits at an end and family life beginning he was to suffer the most traumatic of disasters. In a situation mirrored somewhat by Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover unfortunately his ending was much more final. In spite of this scandal in Victorian times he by strength of character was able to rise up and become not only the Major of Chorley but also of Lytham on the Fylde Coast. His only son Montagu was to see active service in the Royal Flying Corp in World War One. After the end of the war obtaining a degree from Oxford he re-enlisted with the now Royal Air Force and was stationed in the Middle East. By the time World War Two broke out he had reached the rank of Group Captain in Coastal Command. A flying accident while based in Iceland set in motion a series of events that were to cumulate in a tragic conclusion. This book describes the lives and events of both Humphrey and Montagu and will be of interest to sports fans and those with an interest in the exploits of Montagu in both World Wars.