ALFRETON & DISTRICT HERITAGE TRUST LITTLE AMERICA, INDIA AND RETURN!

Little America has featured on these pages on a number of occasions but just why part of Alfreton should be so named remains a mystery!

During some recent research I came across a reference to a Joseph Whittle, who together with his family, came to Alfreton from Nottingham in 1848 to reside in one of a few houses which bore the designation of Little America. This is the earliest reference we have to the area.

Joseph was born in Nottingham on 14th February 1840, and so was eight years of age when he came to Alfreton. He regularly attended St. Martin’s Parish Church, an association which was to continue until his death in 1915.

On leaving school he became a Joiner, but in 1857 he travelled to Nottingham where he enlisted in the 2nd Battalion of the Rifle Brigade. The Indian Mutiny having broken out, he and his regiment were sent out immediately to India, travelling round the Cape in a sailing vessel, eventually arriving in March 1858. Of the first draft of 60 sent only 13 survived the campaign, the rest being killed or dying of disease or sunstroke.

On arrival in India, they proceeded to Lucknow, but it was a terrible journey as their train came under attack with many bridges destroyed. The journey was eventually completed by Bullock Train, marching on foot and by Camel. Lucknow had been relieved while they were on their way, but action was to come in the vicinity of Lucknow, Sultanpore, Fyzabad and Fort Mujadija where, on the 27th of December 1858, Joseph Whittle was wounded in the left arm by grape shot which had initially struck his rifle but then ran up his arm.

Altogether, he was to spend ten years and one hundred and twenty-three days in India. He was made full Corporal and received the Indian Mutiny Medal and two good conduct badges. He returned home in 1867 being discharged at Devonport on the 14th of December of that year. He returned to Alfreton and in 1869 married his wife, Emma Sutcliffe. They were to have seven children together. Employed as a Coal Miner and later by Alfreton U.D.C. the family home was on Buxton Terrace, King Street, Alfreton.

By his integrity he was esteemed and honoured by all sections of townspeople. For years he was a notable figure as verger at the Alfreton Parish Church and as a member of the Crimean and Indian Mutiny Veterans Association who provided a bearer party for his funeral on the 20th of August 1915. He was buried in the churchyard of St. Martins of Tours, Alfreton, a church he had loved throughout his life.