John Woods Whittle (1882-1946), also known more commonly as Jack, was born on 3rd August 1882 at Huon Island, Port Cygnet District, near Gordon, Tasmania. His father, Henry William Whittle, was a labourer. His mother, Catherine Theresa nee Sullivan, married Henry on 4th February 1878 at Brighton, Tasmania. Jack was part of a large family, having nine siblings in total. After 30th June he enlisted in the Royal Navy as a stoker for five years on the Australia Station, serving aboard HMS Challenger and HMS Pioneer. He then served in the Australian Permanent Military Forces in the Australian Army Service Corps, 31st Battery Royal Australian Artillery and the Tasmanian Rifle Regiment.
Jack married Emily Margaret Roland on 23rd July 1909 at the Archbishop’s House, Hobart, Tasmania. They had two sons and three daughters including Ivan Whittle, who died in an accident in Port Moresby, New Guinea in 1943 when a Liberator aircraft crashed.
Jack enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Claremont, Tasmania on 6th August 1915 from 13th Remount Depot. He was posted to Claremont as acting Corporal and embarked with 26th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement Group at Brisbane on 21st October aboard HMAT A48 Seang Bee. He transferred to HMAT A38 Ulysees departing Melbourne on 27th October. On arrival at Heliopolis, he was admitted to 1st Australian General Hospital for three days in January 1916. He was posted to 12th Battalion in March, and was promoted to Corporal and Lance Sergeant. The Battalion then left for France arriving on 5th April.
Jack was awarded the DCM for his actions on 27th February 1917, during the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line when A Company attacked Le Barque and Ligny-Thilloy at dawn – on the left flank. He bombed an enemy machine gun post, forcing the Germans to flee. On 8th-9th April 1917 at Boursies and at Lagnicourt on 15th April 1917, Jack performed several actions which led to the award of the VC. When in command of a platoon the enemy, under cover of an intense artillery barrage, attacked the small trench he was holding. Owing to weight of numbers the enemy succeeded in entering the trench, and it was owing to Sjt. Whittle personally collecting all available men and charging the enemy that the position was regained.
Jack died of a cerebral haemorrhage at his home at 27 Avenue Road, Glebe, Sydney on 2nd March 1946 and was buried in the Roman Catholic Section of Rookwood Cemetery, Sydney. In addition to his VC and DCM, he was also awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902 with four clasps, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal 1914-20, Victory Medal 1914-19, George V Jubilee Medal 1935 and George VI Coronation Medal 1937.
Read lessJohn Woods Whittle (1882-1946), also known more commonly as Jack, was born on 3rd August 1882 at Huon Island, Port Cygnet District, near Gordon, Tasmania. His father, Henry William Whittle, was a labourer. His mother, Catherine Theresa nee Sullivan, married Henry on 4th February 1878 at Brighton, Tasmania. Jack was part of a large family, having nine siblings in total. After 30th June he enlisted in the Royal Navy as a stoker for five years on the Australia Station, serving aboard HMS Challenger and HMS Pioneer. He then served in the Australian Permanent Military Forces in the Australian Army Service Corps, 31st Battery Royal Australian Artillery and the Tasmanian Rifle Regiment.
Jack married Emily Margaret Roland on 23rd July 1909 at the Archbishop’s House, Hobart, Tasmania. They had two sons and three daughters including Ivan Whittle, who died in an accident in Port Moresby, New Guinea in 1943 when a Liberator aircraft crashed.
Jack enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Claremont, Tasmania on 6th August 1915 from 13th Remount Depot. He was posted to Claremont as acting Corporal and embarked with 26th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement Group at Brisbane on 21st October aboard HMAT A48 Seang Bee. He transferred to HMAT A38 Ulysees departing Melbourne on 27th October. On arrival at Heliopolis, he was admitted to 1st Australian General Hospital for three days in January 1916. He was posted to 12th Battalion in March, and was promoted to Corpor... More
