Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The eldest of two sons of Dr Euan Ironside Littlejohn and his wife Mary (nee Andrews) of Hawthorn, Victoria, William Euan Ironside Littlejohn was born at Ivanhoe in 1920. His grandfather, William Still Littlejohn was appointed the headmaster at Scotch College, Melbourne in 1904 and was the driving force in the development and expansion of the school. The college's chapel was later named for him. The male members of the family all attended Scotch College, establishing a deep association that extended over several generations.

In his younger years William Littlejohn lacked interest in his studies. So, in 1935 his father withdrew him from school and he joined the crew of the four-masted barque C.B. Petersen on its final voyage to Sweden. Upon his return he resumed his studies at Scotch College and in 1939 he was made School Captain. He started his medical degree in 1940 at the University of Melbourne but the lure of military service beckoned.

On 25 June 1940 William Littlejohn was appointed to the RANVR as a Sub-Lieutenant (on probation). After initial training in Australia, he proceeded to the United Kingdom and corvette duty before undertaking submarine training. In late 1941, he was posted in HMS Titania before joining HMS Tuna in early 1942.

During 1942 and 1943 Littlejohn’s submarines patrolled mainly in the North and Mediterranean Seas. On 23 November 1943, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) for “bravery and skill in successful patrols in one of H.M. Submarines war patrols”.

Littlejohn was one of only three RANVR submarine officers selected to undertake the Submarine Commanding Officer’s Qualification Course in World War II. When he became the temporary Commanding Officer of HMS Shakespeare (albeit only for three days), at only 23, he was the youngest officer placed in command of a Royal Naval Submarine. Littlejohn went on to command HMS Vox for a short period and in mid-1945 he applied for demobilisation to complete his medical degree.

His brother, Flight Sergeant Gordon Brefny Littlejohn enlisted in the RAAF and was later assigned to the 12 Squadron RAF, flyng Wellington bombers as part of Bomber Command. He was killed on a mission over Germany on 7 September 1942. 

William Littlejohn married physiotherapist Helen Mary Cuthburtson in the Littlejohn Memorial Chapel at Scotch College, Melbourne in December, 1950. The following year he graduated with his medical degree from the University of Melbourne. After serving his internship at The Alfred Hospital he established a private medical practice at Ivanhoe, Victoria in 1953 which he maintained until 1979.

Littlejohn served as Aide-de-camp to the Governor of Victorian throughout the 1950s and 60s. He also served as the honorary medical officer to Government House from 1969 to 1994. In 1969 he was a created an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to medicine.

A public spirited man, William Littlejohn supported numerous profession bodies. Appointed a Trustee of the Shrine of Rememberance in 1964, he served as Deputy Chairman from 1984 to 1994.

Dr William Euan Ironside Littlejohn died at Hawthorn, Victoria in 1994 aged 74. He was survived by his wife Helen and a son and two daughters. His funeral service was held at the Littlejohn Memorial Chapel at Scotch College and following cremation his ashes were later scattered at sea in Bass Strait from the deck of HMAS Adelaide.

References:

https://holbrooksubmarinemuseum.com.au/index.php/gallery/significant-submariners/

Biography: Lt. Cdr. W.E.I. Littlejohn OBE DSC MB BS, RANVR - G.J. Mellon 2021  

https://uboat.net/allies/commanders/11089.html