George E Whittaker

George Whittaker was found dead in the River Mersey at Northenden.

He had been the son of the schoolmaster at Loveclough School and had been a student at Manchester University studying textile chemistry. Outside of university he had lived at Rough Lea near Burnley. A few days later George Whittaker's mother died in an operation leaving his father twice bereaved.

He was last seen around 4 June 1923 when he took some exams and was next found in the River Mersey at Northenden on 12 June 1923.

His body had been in the water for some days.

His father said that George Whittaker had last written to him on 9 June 1923 and seemed quite cheerful and normal.

He had been a resident student at Hulme Hall in Manchester since October 1920 where his character was described as being quite good.

He was said to had paid more attention from Christmas 1922 to his studies because of his forthcoming exams which began on 31 May 1923. He attended his exams on 31 May, 1 June and 4 June but not afterwards.

The Coroner stated that there was nothing to indicate how George Whittaker came to be in the water.

He was buried in Accrington Cemetery.

George Whittaker had studied at the Dunnockshaw Council School and had won a County Exhibition which took him to Bacup and Rawenstall Secondary School at Waterfoot after which he went to Hulme Hall.