Sergeant John Woods Whittle

image: H06186 image: H06186
Photograph H06186
Service number 347, 2902, 481
Ranks Held Private, Sergeant, Stoker 2nd Class
Birth Date 03/08/1882
Birth Place Australia: Tasmania, Huon Island
Death Date 02/03/1946
Death Place Australia: New South Wales, Sydney, Glebe
Final Rank Sergeant
Service ANF
Units
  • 12th Australian Infantry Battalion
  • 12th Australian Infantry Battalion
Places
Conflicts/Operations
  • South Africa, 1899-1902 (Boer War)
  • First World War, 1914-1918
  • British Forces in Australia, 1788-1911
Description

John Whittle was born in Tasmania. He served in the Boer War then joined the Royal Navy. After five years he returned to the army. He enlisted in the 12th Australian Infantry Battalion, AIF, in August 1915, was sent to France, and was made sergeant in late 1916.

Whittle was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for bravery in early 1917 when he bombed an enemy machine-gun post during an attack. He received the Victoria Cross for his actions around the villages of Boursies and Lagnicourt around 9 15 April: at one point he "rushed alone across the fire-swept ground" to attack a German machine-gun crew before they could bring their gun into action.

Wounded twice in 1918, Whittle returned to Australia on HMAT Medic with other Victoria Cross holders in October to take part in a recruiting drive. He was discharged in December and settled in Sydney. One of Whittle's sons, Ivan, was killed during the Second World War in New Guinea.

Whittle was awarded the Victoria Cross, DCM, service medals for the Boer War and First World War, the King George V Jubilee Medal, and the King George VI Coronation Medal.

Collection items

    Media


    VICTORIA CROSS WINNERS FROM THE BOER WAR AND WORLD WAR 1 WHO GATHERED TO MARCH IN THE SYDNEY ...

    Port Melbourne, Vic. 1918. Australian Victoria Cross winners from World War 1 invited by the ...

    Group portrait of eleven First World War Victoria Cross recipients at AIF Administrative ...

    A montage of nine portrait photographs taken at Westham camp. In the centre is a group portrait ...

    Studio portrait of 2902 Sergeant (Sgt) John Woods Whittle VC DCM, 12th Battalion from Launceston, ...

    Informal group portrait of ten Australian soldiers of the First Australian Imperial Force who had ...

    Document


    Item 1 of 1 - Guide to Australian War Memorial

    Wallet 1 of 1 - Papers relating to John Woods Whittle

Rolls

Timeline

Date of birth 03/08/1882
Date and unit at enlistment (ORs) 1899 2nd Imperial Bushmen
Date and unit at enlistment (ORs) 1900 Royal Navy - served as stoker in various ships on the Australian Station.
Date returned to Australia 1900
Date of discharge 1905
Date and unit at enlistment (ORs) 1905 Rejoined the Army.
Date of enlistment 16/01/1905
Other units 03/1915 12 Battalion.
Date promoted 14/03/1915 Appointed Corporal.
Date promoted 13/04/1915 Appointed Lance Sergeant.
Date and unit at enlistment (ORs) 06/08/1915 Posted as a reinforcement to 26 Battalion.
Date of embarkation 27/10/1915
Date of enlistment 06/08/1915
Date promoted 14/10/1916 Appointed Sergeant.
Date wounded 18/06/1916
Date of honour or award 1917-04-08 - 1917-04-15 Awarded Victoria Cross for action at West of Boursies and Lagnicourt, France whilst serving with 12 Battalion, 3 Brigade, 1 Division as a Sergeant.
Date of recommendation honour or award 01/03/1917
Date of honour or award 02/1917 Awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry in the assault on the villages of Le Barque and Ligny-Thilloy.
Date of recommendation honour or award 24/04/1917
Date wounded 07/1918
Date returned to Australia 24/08/1918
Date of discharge 15/12/1918
Date wounded 03/1918
Date of recommendation honour or award 29/04/1918
Date of death 02/03/1946

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