Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Norman Harold Whitfield had served four years in the militia with the NSW 37th Illawarra Infantry and was an electrician before the start of the First World War. In 1914, he served with the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force in New Guinea, reaching the rank of corporal. After his discharge, he re-enlisted with the AIF on 11 May 1915, then aged twenty, and was appointed to the 7th Reinforcements for 1 Battalion.

By 4 November 1915, Whitfield was on Gallipoli. He was promoted to lance corporal before his battalion was evacuated and arrived back in Alexander on 28 December. He reverted to private and was transferred to the 53rd Battalion in mid-February. Before going to France, Whitfield gained a commission on 1 March 1916 and became a second lieutenant in the 5th Pioneer Battalion.

The battalion went into the trenches in July 1916 around Fleurbaix in France, and Whitfield was promoted to lieutenant the same month. He oversaw the divisional water supply on the night of 19-20 July at Petillon. He kept the frontline supplied with water despite a severe artillery barrage. Then, on 5 August, at Sailly, he attended his wounded men after their billet had been hit by a high explosive shell, even though he had a concussion. For these actions, Whitfield was mentioned in despatches.

For his actions between 19 July 1916 and 27 December, Whitfield was recommended for a Military Cross (MC). The recommendation for the award reads ‘Near Gueudecourt on the 4th December 1916, Lieut Whitfield displayed conspicuous bravery in setting out a communications trench about 500 yards long, with tape, in daylight, in full view of the enemy. The trench proceeded to our front line. As a result, the best siting for the trench was obtained, and the men, when brought out to work, could proceed directly and commence digging immediately. Lieut Whitfield was sniped at continuously the whole time. On the 27th December 1916, Lieut Whitfield also reconnoitred another communication trench leading to the front line during daylight – the existing communication trench had been badly damaged by shell fire. Here again, he was sniped at continuously, but completed his task. Lieut Whitfield has shown himself a brave and courageous officer on previous occasions. On July 19/20th [1916] he was in charge of the water supply from the front line to the captured position – this he maintained under trying conditions.’

By September 1917, the battalion was in Belgium. On the night of 28-29 September, it was east of Polygon Wood. Whitfield was part of a wiring party. When the covering infantry company withdrew, a friendly SOS flare was fired, bringing machine gun and artillery fire from both sides of the lines. In the ensuing melee, many were wounded, including the commanding officer. Under heavy fire, Whitfield helped a wounded man back to the lines, then went back out to make sure no wounded were left behind. Company Sergeant Major Jurd and Lance-Corporal Purtill assisted him. Whitfield was injured during this action but remained at his post. He was recommended to receive a bar for his MC, which was not awarded.

In late February 1918, Whitfield was seconded to the Pioneer Training School in England. During this time, he contracted influenza. He returned to his unit on 8 September 1918, and on 29 September, he went into action at Bellicourt, France. For his actions, there Whitfield was awarded a bar to his MC. The recommendation reads ‘Near Bellicourt on the 29th September 1918, whilst on urgent forward road work, Lieut. WHITFIELD led his company through a heavy covering barrage to their allotted work. His judgment, coolness, and example were responsible for the initial success of the day’s operations. Later, when the enemy held the Northern portion of Bellicourt, he took forward a portion of his platoon in a dense fog, under heavy machine gun fire, and drove the enemy out, enabling the road to get through. Later still, when the party was subjected to direct machine gun fire in the open, in the absence of infantry, he organised a party and silenced the machine gun, and also dispersed the crew of an anti-tank gun. His splendid courage, initiative, example, and devotion to duty were largely responsible for getting the road through.’

Whitfield was promoted to captain on 29 October 1918. He embarked on a return trip to Australia on 2 February 1919.

Whitfield again enlisted for service in the Second World War, on 13 June 1940, and served in Malaya. He was Director-General of Recruiting in July 1941 with the rank of Major. He was serving as Deputy Assistant Adjutant General with 8 Division when he was discharged from the AIF in August 1941 having attained the rank of lieutenant colonel. In 1942, he was appointed a senior liaison officer between the American and Australian forces. He was awarded the US Medal of Freedom in 1948 for this work. He unsuccessfully contested the seat of Watson as a United Australia Party candidate in the 1943 Federal election.

On 4 November 1950, Whitfield was accidentally killed when he fell between a moving train and the platform at Killara station in Sydney.