Gazette Information: GAZETTE ISSUE 30122, VICTORIA CROSS,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30122/supplements/5704. His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned:- No. 2902 Serjeant John Woods Whittle, 12th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force. For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on two occasions. On 9th April 1917, near Boursies, France, 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 Serjeant Whittle personally collecting all available men and charging the enemy that the position was regained. On a second occasion when the enemy broke through the left of our line Serjeant Whittle's own splendid example was the means of keeping the men well in hand. His platoon were suffering heavy casualties and the enemy endeavoured to bring up a machine-gun to enfilade the position. Grasping the situation he rushed alone across the fire-swept ground and attacked the hostile gun crew with bombs before the gun could be got into action. He succeeded in killing the whole crew and in bringing back the machine-gun to our position. DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30036/supplements/3944.
Fold3_Team · 31 Oct 2023
Gazette Information: GAZETTE ISSUE 30122, VICTORIA CROSS,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30122/supplements/5704. His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned:- No. 2902 Serjeant John Woods Whittle, 12th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force. For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on two occasions. On 9th April 1917, near Boursies, France, 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 Serjeant Whittle personally collecting all available men and charging the enemy that the position was regained. On a second occasion when the enemy broke through the left of our line Serjeant Whittle's own splendid example was the means of keeping the men well in hand. His platoon were suffering heavy casualties and the enemy endeavoured to bring up a machine-gun to enfilade the position. Grasping the situation he rushed alone across the fire-swept ground and attacked the hostile gun crew with bombs before the gun could be got into action. He succeeded in killing the whole crew and in bringing back the machine-gun to our position. DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30036/supplements/3944.