Hull's Musical Heritage - David Whitfield Version 2 - David Whitfield | Page 2

D

avid Whitfield
was born in
the
Drypool
area of Hull in
1926, a year
that saw John
Logie Baird demonstrate his
television. It was also the
year in which John Coltrane
and Dame Joan Sutherland
were born.
1926 was a great year for
the musical industry.
His family lived on Albert’s
Terrace, which was located
just off Clarence Street.
Sadly the house and street
no longer exist.

HMS Ramillies - A Battleship on which David
Whitfield served during the D-Day Landings.

David Whitfield in an early
promotional photograph.

During his formative years,
the Whitfield’s also lived
in Harcourt Street, and
Beaumont Street.
David attended St. Peter’s
School on Church Street, and
it was there, that he gained
links to St. Peter’s Church
where his love of singing
started.
After leaving school, he
joined the Royal Navy. Aged
17, serving in the Far East,
and also on HMS Ramillies
during the Second World
War. As a seaman gunner
on the Ramillies, David was
part of the D-Day Landings,
protecting the area known
as Sword Beach.