Kent Remembers: James Whitehead
Monday 10th November 2025
Born: 8.7.1890, Bromley, Kent. Died: 13.3.1919, London.
Kent Second XI 1912-1914.
Photo courtesy of Clifton College Archives.
The elder brother of George Whitehead, another Kent cricketer that died during the First World War, James Hugh Edendale Whitehead was born in Bromley, Kent in July 1890.
Both he his brother were sons of Sir George Hugh Whitehead, Baronet of Wilmington Hall, Dartford.
He was educated at The Old Ride, Bournemouth, Clifton College, and Trinity College, Oxford.
For Kent’s Second XI, he played five matches between 1912 & 1914. His highest score of 81 came in the second innings of his debut match vs. Surrey Second XI, Kennington Oval 27 May 1912; he also made 61 against the same opposition at same ground in the first innings of his final match on 1 July, 1914.
He also played for Clifton College, as an occasional leg-break bowler.
In 1914, he started work in his father’s stock broking firm George Whitehead and Chown.
Following the outbreak of the First World War, in October 1914 he applied for commission, gazetted temporarily 2nd Lt. 9th Battalion of the Royal West Kent Regiment on 5 November.
In 1915, the Battalion moved to Canterbury, then on to Colchester. He fell ill with TB whilst on leave; so badly affected that he resigned his commission in March 1916.
In June 1916 he was placed in a nursing home in Bournemouth, then moved to Wales, and applied to the War Office for a Pension as he was unable to pursue a business career and was dependent on friends for financial assistance.
He then suffered from influenza and died 13 March, 1919 at Queen Annes Mansions, St James Park, London. He is buried in the family vault at St Michael Churchyard, Wilmington.
His estate was valued at £2,334 for probate.
Profile courtesy of the Kent Cricket Heritage Trust.
Read more about some of the Kent cricketers that gave their lives in War via the Club’s Kent Remembers page below:
Kent Remembers
