Age 32. 23 Raven Street, Dorchester (Boston), MA. Born on 12/18/1909, in Dorchester. Died of burns (death certificate). Gas roaster, Walter Baker & Co., Inc. (chocolate manufacturers), of Dorchester. "He was applying for a commission in Army radio work at the time of his death" (The Boston Globe, 12/04/1942). In a main dining room group of 15 known as the "Allston-Brighton Sewing Circle" party including his wife Mildred, age 28, his unmarried older sister Ella, age 34, and his wife's parents, Mr. and Mrs. John and Alice Murray, ages 52 and 48 respectively, all of Dorchester, all above dead. Lone group survivor was Frederick Harrington, age 52, of Brighton (Boston), MA (Born 9/21/1890. Died 4/21/1972, age 81. Last residence Dorchester). Wife of the latter, Catherine "Vernie," age 51, was not present. With his own wife were observing their 5th wedding anniversary. Survived by sons William, Jr., age 4, John, age 2, and James, age 7 months. Children were the only offspring to lose their parents and also lose grandparents in the blaze. Middle son John died of a chronic heart condition on 2/02/1946, at age 6, was buried beside his late father. Oldest son William, Jr. (Born 3/20/1938. Died 10/06/2003, age 65), made news in 1955 at age 16 when an appeal went out for a "helping hand" upon his graduation from Father Flanagan's Boys Town in Nebraska (Boston Traveler, 3/14/1955: "William is a sentimental boy. It bothers him that he can remember so little..."). The same son made less fortunate news in October 1964 when charged with stalking a woman in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden, MA, allegedly forcing her into his car at knife point, then attacking her (The Boston Globe, 10/19/1964: "He was held in $50,000 bail...on charges of rape, unnatural acts and assault with a dangerous weapon"). Youngest son James (Born 4/15/1942. Died 11/03/2015, Charlotte, NC, age 73), also reared at the famed Boys Town community, later joined the U.S. Air Force. Trim build (WWII draft registration, October '40: 5' 11," 148 lbs.). Parents Mrs. Margaret A. (Archibald) and the late Mr. William P. Whitmarsh. Children were the subject of a January 1943 custody battle in Suffolk Probate Court between their paternal grandmother and a great-aunt on the mother's side, ruling made in favor of the former with whom they already lived. Burial with his victim older sister at Mt. Vernon Cemetery, Abington, MA. Middle name Wales.

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