Editing Mortimer Wheeler (section)

==Early life==

===Childhood: 1890–1907===
Mortimer Wheeler was born on 10 September 1890 in the city of [[Glasgow]], Scotland.{{sfnm|1a1=Piggott|1y=1977|1p=623|2a1=Hawkes|2y=1982|2p=15}} He was the first child of the journalist Robert Mortimer Wheeler and his second wife Emily Wheeler ({{nee}} Baynes).{{sfn|Hawkes|1982|p=15}}

The son of a tea merchant based in [[Bristol]], in youth Robert had considered becoming a [[Baptist]] minister, but instead became a staunch [[Freethought|freethinker]] while studying at the [[University of Edinburgh]]. Initially working as a lecturer in [[English literature]], Robert turned to journalism after his first wife died in childbirth.{{sfnm|1a1=Piggott|1y=1977|1p=623|2a1=Hawkes|2y=1982|2pp=15, 18}} His second wife, Emily, shared her husband's interest in English literature, and was the niece of [[Thomas Spencer Baynes]], a [[Shakespeare's reputation|Shakespearean]] scholar at [[St. Andrews University]]. Their marriage was emotionally strained, a situation exacerbated by their financial insecurity. Within two years of their son's birth, the family moved to [[Edinburgh]], where a daughter named Amy was born.{{sfn|Hawkes|1982|pp=15, 19-20}}
[[File:Ilkley Moor Swastika Stone.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|During childhood, Wheeler took an interest in the prehistoric carvings on [[Ilkley Moor]] in [[West Yorkshire]].]]
When Wheeler was four, his father was appointed chief [[Editorial|leader]] writer for the ''[[Newspapers of Yorkshire#Defunct newspapers|Bradford Observer]]''. The family relocated to [[Saltaire]], a village northwest of [[Bradford]], a cosmopolitan city in [[Yorkshire]], northeast England, then in the midst of the wool trade boom.{{sfnm|1a1=Piggott|1y=1977|1p=623|2a1=Hawkes|2y=1982|2p=16|3a1=Carr|3y=2012|3p=75}} Wheeler was inspired by the moors surrounding Saltaire and fascinated by the area's archaeology. He later wrote about discovering [[Neolithic and Bronze Age rock art in the British Isles|a late prehistoric cup-marked stone]], searching for [[stone tool|lithics]] on [[Ilkley Moor]], and digging into a [[tumulus|barrow]] on Baildon Moor.{{sfn|Hawkes|1982|pp=17, 23}} Although in ill health, Emily Wheeler taught her two children with the help of a [[maid]] up to the age of seven or eight. Mortimer remained emotionally distant from his mother, instead being far closer to his father, whose company he favoured over that of other children.{{sfn|Hawkes|1982|pp=19-22}}

His father had a keen interest in [[natural history]] and a love of fishing and shooting, rural pursuits in which he encouraged Mortimer to take part. Robert acquired many books for his son, particularly on the subject of [[art history]],{{sfn|Hawkes|1982|pp=18, 29}} with Wheeler loving to both read and paint.{{sfnm|1a1=Piggott|1y=1977|1p=623|2a1=Hawkes|2y=1982|2p=21}}

In 1899, Wheeler joined [[Bradford Grammar School]] shortly before his ninth birthday, where he proceeded straight to the second form.{{sfnm|1a1=Piggott|1y=1977|1p=623|2a1=Hawkes|2y=1982|2p=26|3a1=Carr|3y=2012|3p=75}} In 1902, Robert and Emily had a second daughter, whom they named Betty; Mortimer showed little interest in this younger sister.{{sfn|Hawkes|1982|p=26}} In 1905, Robert agreed to take over as head of the London office of his newspaper, by then renamed the ''Yorkshire Daily Observer'', so the family relocated to the southeast of the city in December 1905, settling into a house named Carlton Lodge on South Croydon Road, [[West Dulwich]].{{sfnm|1a1=Piggott|1y=1977|1p=623|2a1=Hawkes|2y=1982|2pp=31–32|3a1=Carr|3y=2012|3p=75}} In 1908, they moved to 14 Rollescourt Avenue in nearby [[Herne Hill]].{{sfn|Hawkes|1982|p=38}} Rather than being sent for a conventional education, when he was 15 Wheeler was instructed to educate himself by spending time in London, where he frequented the [[National Gallery]] and the [[Victoria and Albert Museum]].{{sfn|Hawkes|1982|pp=32–33}}

===University and early career: 1907–14===

[[File:Wilkins Building 1, UCL, London - Diliff.jpg|thumb|Wheeler undertook his BA and MA at University College London (pictured).]]

After passing the [[entrance exam]] on his second attempt, in 1907 Wheeler was awarded a scholarship to read [[classical studies]] at [[University College London]] (UCL), commuting daily from his parental home to the university campus in [[Bloomsbury]], central London.{{sfnm|1a1=Piggott|1y=1977|1p=623|2a1=Hawkes|2y=1982|2p=40|3a1=Carr|3y=2012|3p=77}} At UCL, he was taught by the prominent classicist [[A.&nbsp;E. Housman]].{{sfnm|1a1=Piggott|1y=1977|1p=624|2a1=Hawkes|2y=1982|2p=41}} During his undergraduate studies, he became editor of the ''Union Magazine'', for which he produced a number of illustrated cartoons.{{sfn|Hawkes|1982|pp=41–42}} Increasingly interested in art, he decided to switch from classical studies to a course at UCL's [[art school]], the [[Slade School of Fine Art]]; he returned to his previous subject after coming to the opinion that – in his words – he never became more than "a conventionally accomplished picture maker".{{sfnm|1a1=Piggott|1y=1977|1p=624|2a1=Hawkes|2y=1982|2pp=43–44}} This interlude had adversely affected his classical studies, and he received a [[Upper second-class honours|second class]] BA on graduating.{{sfn|Hawkes|1982|p=45}}

Wheeler began studying for a [[Master of Arts]] degree in classical studies, which he attained in 1912.{{sfnm|1a1=Piggott|1y=1977|1p=624|2a1=Hawkes|2y=1982|2p=45|3a1=Carr|3y=2012|3p=77}} During this period, he also gained employment as the personal secretary of the UCL Provost [[Gregory Foster]],{{sfn|Hawkes|1982|p=47}} although he later criticised Foster for transforming the university from "a college in the truly academic sense [into] a hypertrophied monstrosity as little like a college as a plesiosaurus is like a man".{{sfn|Hawkes|1982|p=40}} It was also at this time of life that he met and began a relationship with [[Tessa Wheeler|Tessa Verney]], a student then studying history at UCL, when they were both serving on the committee of the University College Literary Society.{{sfnm|1a1=Hawkes|1y=1982|1p=47|2a1=Carr|2y=2012|2p=77}}

During his studies, Wheeler had developed his love of archaeology, having joined an [[Excavation (archaeology)|excavation]] of [[Viroconium Cornoviorum]], a [[Roman Britain|Romano-British]] settlement in [[Wroxeter]], in 1913.{{sfn|Hawkes|1982|p=49}} Considering a profession in the discipline, he won a studentship that had been established jointly by the University of London and the [[Society of Antiquaries of London|Society of Antiquaries]] in memory of [[Augustus Wollaston Franks]]. The prominent archaeologist [[Arthur Evans|Sir Arthur Evans]] doubled the amount of money that went with the studentship. Wheeler's proposed project had been to analyse Romano-Rhenish pottery, and with the grant he funded a trip to the [[Rhineland]] in Germany, there studying the Roman pottery housed in local museums; his research into this subject was never published.{{sfnm|1a1=Piggott|1y=1977|1p=624|2a1=Hawkes|2y=1982|2pp=49–51|3a1=Carr|3y=2012|3p=79}}

At this period, there were very few jobs available within British archaeology; as the later archaeologist [[Stuart Piggott]] related, "the young Wheeler was looking for a professional job where the profession had yet to be created."{{sfn|Piggott|1977|p=625}} In 1913 Wheeler secured a position as junior investigator for the [[Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England)|English Royal Commission on Historical Monuments]], who were embarking on a project to assess the state of all structures in the nation that pre-dated 1714. As part of this, he was first sent to [[Stebbing]] in [[Essex]] to assess Late Medieval buildings, although once that was accomplished he focused on studying the Romano-British remains of that county.{{sfnm|1a1=Piggott|1y=1977|1pp=625–626|2a1=Hawkes|2y=1982|2pp=51–52|3a1=Carr|3y=2012|3p=79}} In summer 1914, he married Tessa in a low-key, secular wedding ceremony, before they moved into Wheeler's parental home in Herne Hill.{{sfnm|1a1=Piggott|1y=1977|1p=626|2a1=Hawkes|2y=1982|2pp=52–53|3a1=Carr|3y=2012|3pp=79–80, 82}}

===First World War: 1914–18===

{{Quote box|width=25em|align=right|quote="I cannot attempt to describe the conditions under which we are fighting. Anything I could write about them would seem exaggeration but would in reality be miles below the truth. The whole battlefield for miles is a congested mess of sodden, rain-filled shell-holes, which are being added to every moment. The mud is not so much mud as fathomless sticky morass&nbsp;... If it were not for the [[Pillbox (military)|cement pill boxes]] left by [[Boche (slur)|the Boche]], not a thing could live many hours."|source=— Wheeler, in a letter to his wife, October 1917{{sfn|Hawkes|1982|pp=57–58}} }}

After the United Kingdom's entry into [[World War I]] in 1914, Wheeler [[Recruitment to the British Army during the First World War|volunteered for the armed forces]].{{sfnm|1a1=Hawkes|1y=1982|1p=53|2a1=Carr|2y=2012|2p=83}} Although preferring solitary to group activities, Wheeler found that he greatly enjoyed soldiering,{{sfnm|1a1=Piggott|1y=1977|1p=626|2a1=Hawkes|2y=1982|2pp=55}} and on 9 November 1914 was commissioned a temporary [[second lieutenant]] in the University of London [[Officers' Training Corps|Officer Training Corps]], serving with its artillery unit as an instructor.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=29045|date=19 January 1915 |page=688 |supp=y|nolink=y}}</ref>{{sfnm|1a1=Hawkes|1y=1982|1p=53|2a1=Carr|2y=2012|2p=83}} It was during this period, in January 1915, that a son was born to the Wheelers, and named Michael.{{sfn|Hawkes|1982|p=55}} [[Michael Mortimer Wheeler|Michael Wheeler]] was their only child, something that was a social anomaly at the time, although it is unknown whether or not this was by choice.{{sfn|Carr|2012|pp=82–83}} In May 1915, Wheeler transferred to the 1st Lowland Brigade of the [[Royal Field Artillery]] ([[Territorial Force]]), and was confirmed in his rank on 1 July, with a promotion to temporary [[Lieutenant (British Army and Royal Marines)|lieutenant]] from the same date.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=29249|date=3 August 1915 |page=7583 |supp=|nolink=y}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, on 16 July, Wheeler was promoted to temporary [[Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)|captain]].<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=29288|date=7 September 1915 |page=8964 |supp=y|nolink=y}}</ref> In this position he was stationed at various bases across Britain, often bringing his wife and child with him; his responsibility was as a battery commander, initially of field guns and later of [[howitzer]]s.{{sfnm|1a1=Hawkes|1y=1982|1pp=55–56|2a1=Carr|2y=2012|2p=83}}

In October 1917 Wheeler was posted to the 76th Army Field Artillery Brigade, one of the [[Royal Field Artillery]] brigades under the direct control of the [[General Officer Commanding]], [[Third Army (United Kingdom)|Third Army]]. The brigade was then stationed in Belgium, where it had been engaged in the [[Battle of Passchendaele]] against German troops along the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]]. By now a substantive lieutenant (temporary captain), on 7 October he was appointed second-in-command of an [[artillery battery]] with the acting rank of captain,<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=30325|date=5 October 1917 |page=10360 |supp=y|nolink=y}}</ref> but on 21 October became commander of a battery with the acting rank of [[Major (United Kingdom)|major]],<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=30487|date=18 January 1918 |page=1077 |supp=y|nolink=y}}</ref> replacing a major who had been poisoned by [[mustard gas]].<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=30884|date=3 September 1918 |page=10512 |supp=y|nolink=y}}</ref> He was part of the Left Group of artillery covering the advancing [[Allies of World War I|Allied]] infantry in the battle.{{sfnm|1a1=Hawkes|1y=1982|1pp=56–57|2a1=Carr|2y=2012|2p=83}} Throughout, he maintained correspondences with his wife, his sister Amy, and his parents.{{sfnm|1a1=Hawkes|1y=1982|1p=59|2a1=Carr|2y=2012|2p=85}} After the Allied victory in the battle, the brigade was transferred to Italy.{{sfn|Hawkes|1982|p=60}}

Wheeler and the brigade arrived in Italy on 20 November, and proceeded through the [[Italian Riviera]] to reach [[Caporetto]], where it had been sent to bolster the Italian troops against [[Battle of Caporetto|a German and Austro-Hungarian advance]].{{sfn|Hawkes|1982|pp=61–63}} As the [[Russian Republic]] removed itself from the war, the German Army refocused its efforts on the Western Front, so in March 1918 Wheeler's brigade was ordered to leave Italy, getting a train from [[Castelfranco Veneto|Castelfranco]] to [[Rouen|Vieux Rouen]] in France.{{sfn|Hawkes|1982|p=63}} Back on the Western Front, the brigade was assigned to the [[2nd Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|2nd Division]], again part of [[Julian Byng, 1st Viscount Byng of Vimy|Julian Byng]]'s Third Army, reaching a stable area of the front in April. Here, Wheeler was engaged in artillery fire for several months, before the British went on the offensive in August.{{sfn|Hawkes|1982|pp=63–68}} On 24 August, between the ruined villages of Achiet and [[Sapignies]], he led an expedition that captured two German field guns while under heavy fire from a castle mound; he was later awarded the [[Military Cross]] for this action:{{sfn|Hawkes|1982|pp=69–71}}

{{Blockquote|For conspicuous gallantry and initiative. While making a reconnaissance he saw two enemy field guns limbered up without horses within 300 yards of the outpost line. He returned for two six-horse teams, and under heavy fire, in full view of the enemy, successfully brought back both guns to his battery position and turned them on the enemy. He did fine work.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=31043|date=29 November 1918 |page=14268 |supp=y|nolink=y}}</ref>}}

Wheeler continued as part of the British forces pushing westward until the German surrender in November 1918,{{sfn|Hawkes|1982|pp=72–73}} receiving a [[mention in dispatches]] on 8 November.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=31080|date=20 December 1918 |page=15032 |supp=y|nolink=y}}</ref> He was not demobilised for several months, instead being stationed at [[Pulheim]] in Germany until March; during this time he wrote up his earlier research on Romano-Rhenish pottery, making use of access to local museums, before returning to London in July 1919.{{sfnm|1a1=Hawkes|1y=1982|1pp=73–74|2a1=Carr|2y=2012|2p=86}} Reverting to his permanent rank of lieutenant on 16 September,<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=31609|date=17 October 1919 |page=12882 |supp=y|nolink=y}}</ref> Wheeler was finally discharged from service on 30 September 1921, retaining the rank of major.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=32521|date=15 November 1921 |page=9141 |supp=y|nolink=y}}</ref>