World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Worsthorne, Lancashire, England, he served as a Private in the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, British Army. On July 31 1917, in the early stages of the Third Battle of Ypres, Belgium, Private Whitham's battalion on the right was held up by German machine gun positions. On his own initiative, Private Whitham worked his way from shell-hole-to shell-hole and rushed the machine guns. Although under very heavy fire, he captured it, together with an officer and two other gun crews. For most conspicuous bravery, he was awarded the Victoria Cross presented by King George V on September 26, 1917. He died at the age of 36 in Burnley, England.
World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Worsthorne, Lancashire, England, he served as a Private in the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, British Army. On July 31 1917, in the early stages of the Third Battle of Ypres, Belgium, Private Whitham's battalion on the right was held up by German machine gun positions. On his own initiative, Private Whitham worked his way from shell-hole-to shell-hole and rushed the machine guns. Although under very heavy fire, he captured it, together with an officer and two other gun crews. For most conspicuous bravery, he was awarded the Victoria Cross presented by King George V on September 26, 1917. He died at the age of 36 in Burnley, England.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Advertisement
