Brigadier David Adie 'Torpy' Whitehead

Service number NX376
Ranks Held Brigadier, Captain, Lieutenant, Lieutenant Colonel, Temporary Brigadier
Birth Date 30/09/1896
Birth Place United Kingdom: Scotland, Edinburgh, Leith
Final Rank Brigadier
Service Australian Imperial Force
Units
  • 2/32nd Australian Infantry Battalion
  • 23rd Australian Machine Gun Company
  • 26th Australian Infantry Brigade
  • 3rd Australian Machine Gun Battalion
  • Machine Guns
Place Leith
Conflicts/Operations
  • First World War, 1914-1918
  • Second World War, 1939-1945

Rolls

Timeline

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

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