John Lawrence WHITHAM

Date of birth7 October 1881
Place of birthJumalpur, Bengal, India
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationSoldier
AddressVictoria Barracks, Melbourne, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation33
Next of kinMajor L Y Whitham, Lindsfarne, Tasmania
Enlistment date26 August 1914
Rank on enlistmentCaptain
Unit name12th Battalion, D Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/29/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Hobart, Tasmania, on board Transport A2 Geelong on 20 October 1914
Rank from Nominal RollLieutenant-Colonel
Unit from Nominal Roll49th Battalion
Promotions

Lieutenant Colonel


Unit: CO 49th Battalion
Promotion date: 10 July 1916


Unit: 3rd Training Brigade
Promotion date: 8 June 1918

Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Mention in Despatches


Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette', Supplement, No. 29455 (28 January 1916); 'Commonwealth Gazette No. 44 (6 April 1916).

Mention in Despatches


Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette', second Supplement, No. 29890 (2 January 1917); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 103 (29 June 1917).

Mention in Despatches


Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette' No. 31089 (31 December 1918); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 61 (23 May 1919).

FateEffective abroad (still overseas)
Medals

Distinguished Service Order

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer commanded his battalion in a difficult night operations with great ability. Following an enemy advance, in which a village was lost, the battalion, which had already marched six miles, took part in a counter atack. The ground was strange, and there was no time for reconnaissance, but the approach march and deployment was carried out without a hitch, and the attack was a brilliant success. he moved about, encouraging and directing his troops, and established his headquarters well forward in an open trench, from which, though under heavy fire he was able to control his battalion.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 15
Date: 4 February 1919

Commander of the Order of St Michael & St George


Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 44
Date: 6 April 1916

Discharge date21 March 1920
Other details

Assistant Adjutant General, AIF, 1916-17; commanded 52nd Bn, 1917-18; 49th Bn, 1918.

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Medals: Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George, Distinguished Service Order, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death12 May 1952
Age at death70