| Regimental number | 5223 |
| Place of birth | Emsworth, Hampshire, England |
| School | Waroona State School, Western Australia |
| Age on arrival in Australia | 9.9 |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Telegraphist |
| Address | Waroona, Western Australia |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 18 |
| Height | 5' 9" |
| Weight | 139 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, J R Whettem, Hadley, Waroona, Western Australia |
| Previous military service | Srved in the Cadets (Area 86B); still serving at time of AIF enlistment. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Place of enlistment | Perth, Western Australia |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 16th Battalion, 16th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/33/3 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A9 Shropshire on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 16th Battalion |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Place of death or wounding | Hebuterne, France |
| Age at death | 19.9 |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 19 |
| Place of burial | Gommecourt British Cemetery No 2 (Plot II, Row F, Grave No 2), Hebuterne, France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 81 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: James Read WHETTEM and Margaret P. WHETTEM, Waroona, Western Australia |
| Family/military connections | Half-brother: 3518 Pte Ritchie Mathewson WHETTEM, 1st Bn, killed in action, 7 April 1917. |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Embarked Fremantle, 31 March 1916; disembarked Egypt, 24 April 1916. Admitted to 2nd Australian Stationary Hospital, 20 May 1916 (pyrexia, unknown origin); transferred to Ambulance Train No 4, 25 May 1916, and admitted to No 4 Auxiliary Hospital (enteric); transferred to Ras el Tin Convalescent Depot, Alexandria, 3 June 1916; discharged, and taken on strength, 16th Bn, Tel el Kebir, 1 July 1916. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 6 August 1916; disembarked England (date not recorded). Proceeded overseas to France from 4th Training Bn, 22 September 1916; taken on strength, 16th Bn, in the field, 4 October 1916. Admitted to 4th Australian Field Ambulance, 6 January 1917 (ulcer, foot), and transferred to Corps Rest Station; to 45th Casualty Clearing Station, 6 January 1917; to Ambulance Train No 16, and admitted to 5th General Hospital, Rouen, 7 January 1917; transferred to 2nd Convalescent Depot, 16 January 1917; discharged to Base Depot, Etaples, 20 January 1917; rejoined Bn, in the field, 17 February 1917. Admitted to 3rd New Zealand Field Ambulance, 15 June 1917 (rheumatoid arthritis); transferred to 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station, 16 June 1917; discharged to duty, 29 June 1917; rejoined Bn, in the field, 30 June 1917. Detached to 4th Division Power Buzzer School, 12 February 1918; rejoined Bn from detachment, 24 February 1918. Killed in action, 5 April 1918. Statement, Red Cross File No 2910910, 2555 Pte J.H. NORRIS, 16th Bn, 1 April 1919: 'I saw Whettem's body ... after he was killed by shell fire in the right breast at Hebuterne about 10/11 a.m. he was mending the line at the time. I think he lived for about ½ hour but was unconscious all the time.' Second statement, Sergeant Major J.T. TANDRY, 10 September 1919: 'I saw him after he was wounded at Hebuterne near Albert, early in April 1918. He died on the way to Dressing Station.' Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Miscellaneous details | Surname entered incorrectly on Embarkation Roll as WHETTEN. |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, WHETTEM Allan Read
Red Cross File No 2910910 |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
