Regimental number | 2505 |
Place of birth | Sydney New South Wales |
Religion | Church of England |
Occupation | Electrician |
Address | Campbell Street, Wollongong, New South Wales |
Age at embarkation | 20 |
Next of kin | Father, Joseph Whitfield, Campbell Street, Wollongong, New South Wales |
Enlistment date | |
Rank on enlistment | Private |
Unit name | 1st Battalion, 7th Reinforcement |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/18/2 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A67 Orsova on |
Regimental number from Nominal Roll | Commissioned |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Captain |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 5th Pioneer Battalion |
Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Mention in Despatches Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette', second Supplement, No. 29890 (2 January 1917); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 103 (29 June 1917). |
Fate | Returned to Australia |
Medals |
Military Cross 'For conspicuous gallantry in action. He displayed great courage and skill in siting a communication trench under heavy fire. Later, he carried out a dangerous daylight reconnaissance. He has at all times set a fine example.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 116 Date: Bar to Military Medal 'Near Bellicourt, on 29th September, 1918, he led his company through a heavy covering barrage to their allotted work, and was responsible for the initial success of the day's operations. Later, when the enemy held part of Bellicourt, he took forward a portion of his platoon, under heavy machine gun fire, and drove the enemy out, thereby enabling the road to be got through. Later again, in the absence of infantry, he organized a party and silenced a machine gun, and also dispersed the crew of an anti-tank gun. His marked courage and devotion to duty were an inspiration to his men.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 10 Date: |
Other details | Medals: Military Cross and Bar, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |