Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland

Died on this date – 23rd September…… Private Harry Whitman was born in Kensington, London, England, in 1899, a twin with Thomas.

According to information supplied for the Roll of Honour - Harry came to Australia when he was 22. A “Harry Whitman” was a passenger on Orvieto which departed from London, England & arrived in Sydney, New South Wales on 27th February, 1912.

The 1915 & 1917 Australian Electoral Rolls for the division of Wide Bay, subdivision of Maryborough, Queensland record Harry Whitman, Labourer, living at Banana St., Granville. His wife – Margaret Elizabeth Whitman, Home Duties, was listed as living at Banana St., Granville only in the 1915 Electoral Roll.

Harry Whitman enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 20th March, 1916 as a 25 year old, married, Labourer from Spring Hill, Brisbane, Queensland.

Private Harry Whitman embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on HMAT Themistocles (A32) 28th July, 1916 with 4th Reinforcements of 2nd Pioneer Battalion & disembarked at Plymouth, England on 11th September, 1916.

Private Whitman was written up for an Offence while posted with Pioneer Training Battalion at Perham Downs, Wiltshire – Absent without leave from 5 pm on 14th November, 1916 to 12 noon on 17th November, 1916. He was awarded 168 hours detention & forfeited a total of 11 days’ pay.

Private Whitman proceeded to France on 28th November, 1916 & was posted to Australian Divisional Base Depot at Etaples on 30th November, 1916. He joined 2nd Pioneers on 19th January, 1917.

Private Harry Whitman was wounded in action in the field on 29th September, 1917 at Ypres. He was admitted to 3rd Australian Field Ambulance on 29th September, 1917 with a bomb wound then transferred to 10th Casualty Clearing Station where his left leg was amputated. Private Whitman was transferred to Ambulance Train on 1st October, 1917 & admitted to 54th General Hospital on 2nd October, 1917 with multiple bomb wounds. Private Whitman was invalided to England from France on 15th October, 1917 on Hospital Ship St. Denis.

Private Whitman was admitted to Lakenham Military Hospital, Norwich, England with multiple gunshot wounds on 6th October, 1917. He was transferred to 1st Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield on 21st November, 1917 with Amputation of left thigh. Private Whitman was transferred to 2nd Auxiliary Hospital at Southall on 5th December, 1917.

A Medical Report was completed on Private Whitman on 24th December, 1917 regarding his disability - Amputation of left leg through knee joint, gunshot wounds to left thigh & right thigh. The Medical Board recommended that Private Harry Whitman was permanently unfit for General & Home Service.

Private Whitman was granted Leave from 9th March, 1918 to 23rd March, 1918 & was then to report to 2nd Auxiliary Hospital. He was reported Absent without Leave from 10 pm on 18th April, 1918 to 8.30 am on 19th April, 1918. This was admonished by Lt. Col. A. L. Buchanan & he only forfeited 1 days’ pay. He was reported Absent without Leave again from 10.30 pm on 14th June, 1918 to 9.30 am on 15th June, 1918. This was admonished & he only forfeited 1 days’ pay.

Private Whitman was granted leave with pay from 31st August, 1918 to 30th October, 1918 & leave without pay until 3rd March, 1919.

Private Harry Whitman died on 23rd September, 1918 at Eamont Bridge, Penrith, Cumberland, England from Acute Lobar Pneumonia & Acute Peritonitis.

Private Whitman was buried in a Private Family Grave in Penrith Cemetery (also known Beacon Edge Cemetery), Penrith, Cumbria, England with a Private Funeral. He now has a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/penrith.html