| Career summary 11 |
|
BAR to Dstaff officer |
| WW2 Service 3 |
|
New Guinea |
| Interwar Service 15 |
|
course Assessed fit to command |
| Citations 13 |
|
The enemy had established strongly dug in positions, well sited and naturally camouflaged and in many cases particularly diffiuclt to apparoach from a flank. The operation involved a series of attacks by the units of the Bde Gropu. The first attack commenced on 17 November 1943. The attack was pushed home with great determination and vigour. Movement was necessarily slow and communications exceedingly hard to maintain. The enemy fought stubbournly but all attacks by 26 Aust inf Bde Gp. were pres |
| Career summary 26 |
|
*** POST WAR *** |
| Citations 5 |
|
Bar to DSO: |
| Citations 12 |
|
The country was difficult in the extreme, containing mountain ridges covered with dense jungle and bamboo scrubs, deep gorges with precipitous approaches, and razorback ridges. |
| WW2 Service 2 |
|
Benghazi |
| Royal Military College |
|
|
| Citations 16 |
|
-Ext Sheet DN 12/42, LG Supp 36972/45 |
| Citations 6 |
|
'In the Battle at El Alamein Brigadier Whitehead's Brigade was on the right flank of Eight Army and this was an open flank. In the initial attack on 23rd October, 1942, the Brigade was completely successful and for this the thorough and expert planning and preparation by its commander and the high quality of his leadership were largely responsible. |
| Citations 10 |
|
The Brigade embarked at "G" Beach LAE on night 19/20 October for FINSCHHAFEN landing at LANGEMAK BAY the following day and come[sic] into divisional reserve. At this time the Japanese 20 Division with elements of other divisions was in possession of SATELBERG mountain which dominated the area, also of the WAREO mountain to the North, and had recently made a divisional attack upon out [sic] position in the vicinity of KATIKA and SCARLET BEACH. |
| WW2 Service 1 |
|
El Alamein |
| Citations 4 |
|
'At Tel El Eisa Lt Col D.A. WHITEHEAD commanded 2/32nd Bn in attack on first objective - high ground west of pt 22 87602950 - CAIRN 8754 2962 - on 22 Jul 42. From first light until last light his Bn. was heavily enagaged with German forces. The objective was gained and held despite fierce counter attacks and by enemy pressure throughout the day, which considerably depleted the strength of our forces. By his cool, courageous and clever leadership, Lt Col WHITEHEAD was mainly responsible for the s |
| Citations 9 |
|
'Brig. WHITEHEAD commands 26 Australian Infantry Brigade which landed at RED BEACH East of LAE on the 4 September, 1943 and immediatle proceeded as advanced troops of the division westward along the coast towards LAE. He commanded his Brigade with distinction throughout the highly successful divisional operations which resulted in the early capture of LAE. |
| Citations 14 |
|
The Brigade immediately began the apparoach to the strong enemy position and mountain base of WAREO. The country was similar and in some respects even more diffiuclt than that of SATELBERG. On 26 Nov. MOSANKOO was occupied and the next day MOGAKO, KUANKO, PEAK HILL and JOANGANG were occupied during the first week in December after determined fighting in precipitious country and on 8 Dec. WAREO was captured. |
| Citations 2 |
|
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He personally led his battery of eight machine guns from his barrage position to a forward barrage position about 1,000 yards away under heavy fire. He inspired great confidence in his company, which was in action for the first time.' |
| Citations 15 |
|
The detailed Brigade palns for this series of operations were prepared by Brigadier WHITEHEAD, and his conduct of the operations was forceful and masterly showing excellent judgement and command, all of which largely contribute to the complete defeat of the enemy.' |
| Citations 11 |
|
Brigadier WHITEHEAD was ordered to attack and capture the SATELBERG position and exploit towards WAREO, and later, the capture of WAREO. He had Fd Arty and Matilda tanks as supporting arms. |
| Citations 7 |
|
Thereafter the Brigade exploited northwards towards the coast, first capturing a vital point, then a series of defences to the east. Finally in conjunction with other units of the Division, the Brigade attacked the enemy's forward positions in the rear. The Brigade had the greatest task in the Division, and by hard, resolute and very stern fighting it successfully carried out all its tasks. Brigadier Whitehead exercised command with great courage and determination and with pronounced skill and j |
| Date of birth |
30/09/1896 |
Leith, Scotland, UK |
| Date commissioned |
04/04/1916 |
|
| WW1 Service 2 |
22/11/1916 |
arrived France |
| WW1 Service 1 |
04/04/1916 |
lieutenant 9thmachine gun Company |
| Date of embarkation |
01/05/1916 |
|
| WW1 Service 5 |
11/04/1917 |
acting officer commanding |
| WW1 Service 8 |
14/12/1917 |
Military Cross |
| WW1 Service 3 |
28/03/1917 |
2iC |
| WW1 Service 4 |
09/04/1917 |
Mention in Despatches |
| Interwar Service 1 |
01/10/1917 |
H/captain |
| WW1 Service 7 |
01/10/1917 |
captain officer commanding |
| WW1 Service 6 |
26/09/1917 |
23rdmachine gun Company |
| WW1 Service 14 |
31/12/1918 |
general service officer grade 3 (temp) Headquarters 3rdDivision |
| Date of recommendation honour or award |
27/08/1918 |
|
| WW1 Service 12 |
01/11/1918 |
CdG |
| WW1 Service 10 |
27/05/1918 |
wounded in action (rod) |
| WW1 Service 9 |
06/05/1918 |
wounded in action (rod) |
| WW1 Service 11 |
19/07/1918 |
adjutant 3rdmachine gun battalion |
| WW1 Service 13 |
14/11/1918 |
attached Headquarters 3rdDivision |
| WW1 Service 15 |
09/05/1919 |
demobilised |
| Interwar Service 2 |
01/11/1919 |
adjutant 9th Light Horseregiment |
| Interwar Service 3 |
01/11/1919 |
Area Officer A3 Bc |
| Interwar Service 4 |
06/07/1920 |
adjutant 5/3rd Infantry regiment |
| Interwar Service 5 |
06/07/1920 |
Area officers A3 Bb |
| Interwar Service 6 |
29/03/1921 |
brigade major 8th Brigade |
| Interwar Service 8 |
01/07/1922 |
Unattached List |
| Interwar Service 10 |
01/09/1922 |
10th Light Horse |
| Interwar Service 9 |
01/09/1922 |
captain (subst.) |
| Interwar Service 7 |
11/01/1922 |
adjutant & QM 16th battalion |
| Interwar Service 11 |
01/08/1924 |
Unattached List |
| Interwar Service 12 |
03/08/1925 |
21st Light Horseregiment |
| Interwar Service 13 |
1925-08-03 - 1929-08-02 |
seconded A/general service officer grade 3 Headquarters 1st CavDivision |
| Interwar Service 14 |
02/09/1930 |
major |
| Interwar Service 16 |
01/10/1936 |
1stmachine gun regiment |
| Interwar Service 17 |
01/10/1937 |
lieutenant colonel commanding officer 1stmachine gun regiment |
| Career summary 3 |
01/05/1940 |
seconded commanding officer 2/2machine gun battalion |
| Career summary 2 |
24/04/1940 |
full time duty general service officer grade 1 Headquarters 1st CavDivision |
| Career summary 1 |
18/03/1940 |
enlisted 2AIF |
| Career summary 4 |
31/01/1941 |
arrived Middle East |
| Career summary 5 |
10/02/1941 |
attached Headquarters 1 Australian Corps |
| Career summary 10 |
12/09/1942 |
colonel (temporary BRIG) command 26th Brigade |
| Career summary 7 |
13/08/1942 |
Companion of the Distinguished Service Order |
| Appointment |
1942-02-27 - 1942-09-09 |
Battalion: 2/32nd; Rank on appointment: lieutenant colonel; Appointed from: commanding officer 2/2ndmachine gun battalion ; Reason for end of appointment: promotion field command: 26th Brigade |
| Career summary 6 |
27/02/1942 |
commanding officer 2/32nd battalion |
| Career summary 9 |
11/08/1942 |
attached Headquarters 24th Brigade 2 |
| Career summary 12 |
15/12/1942 |
Mention in Despatches |
| Career summary 8 |
1942-01-17 - 1942-02-13 |
Special |
| Career summary 14 |
04/08/1943 |
arrived Milne Bay |
| Career summary 13 |
25/02/1943 |
Returned to Australia (Melb) |
| Career summary 18 |
15/02/1944 |
Returned to Australia (Cairns) |
| Career summary 19 |
11/10/1944 |
Special Duty 2 |
| Career summary 15 |
03/02/1944 |
ED |
| Career summary 16 |
18/05/1944 |
medical (malaria) 11 |
| Career summary 17 |
31/05/1944 |
Mention in Despatches (1 Apr-30 Sep 43) |
| Career summary 24 |
12/12/1945 |
Returned to Australia (Bris) |
| Career summary 22 |
01/05/1945 |
arrived T'kan |
| Career summary 23 |
10/12/1945 |
relinquished command 26th Brigade |
| Career summary 21 |
24/03/1945 |
arrived Morotai |
| Career summary 20 |
09/03/1945 |
Commander of the Order of the British Empire |
| Career summary 25 |
09/02/1946 |
Reserve of Officers colonel (H/BRIG) |
| Career summary 27 |
1949-01-11 - 1952-05-14 |
aide de camp to Governor General (hon) |
| Career summary 28 |
1953-03-16 - 1953-06-17 |
full time duty Citizens Military Force command Coronation Contingent |
