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War Memorial
Australia

Alfred Robinson Whelan

Born: 15 April 1909, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England

Died: 19 January 1988, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia

Early Life and Family

Alfred Robinson Whelan was born on 15 April 1909 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, the son of William Whelan and Georgina Margaret Whelan (née Powell). He was baptised on 1 May 1909 at St Andrew’s Church, Newcastle upon Tyne.

By the early 1910s, Alfred migrated with his family to Australia, settling in South Australia, where the Whelan family became firmly established in the Port Adelaide–Rosewater–Woodville districts. Alfred grew up alongside several siblings and was part of a working-class family closely connected to military service and community life.

His father, William Whelan, was a First World War veteran, serving as a Private (Service No. 1755) with the 48th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force. William died on 29 October 1949 at Springbank, South Australia, aged 79, and is buried at West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide (Kendrew Oval, Row 17, Site 36) beneath a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone.

His mother, Georgina Margaret Whelan (née Powell), was born in 1879 and died on 31 August 1967. She is interred at Centennial Park Cemetery, Pasadena, South Australia, in the Columbarium, Wall 21, Niche A007.

Adult Life and Occupation

As a young adult, Alfred worked as a hospital attendant, a role that reflected both responsibility and service. By the late 1930s, he was living in Woodville, South Australia, an area that would remain closely associated with him throughout his military service.

Second World War Service

On 2 July 1940, Alfred enlisted in the Australian Military Forces at Adelaide, South Australia. He was allocated Service Number SX7438 and served as a Private with the 2nd/8th Field Ambulance, a medical unit attached to frontline operations.

His attestation papers record his date of birth as 15 April 1909, his birthplace as Newcastle upon Tyne, England, his occupation as hospital attendant, and his religion as Roman Catholic.

In April 1941, Alfred was captured during the Greek Campaign following the Allied withdrawal and was taken prisoner of war. His repatriation statements record that he was overrun by enemy forces on 7 April 1941 at Kl Pefki, and that he was not wounded at the time of capture.

During his captivity, Alfred was interned in several camps in Europe, including:

Copas Camp (September–November 1942)
Gruppignano Camp 57 (November 1942 – April 1943)
Bari Camp 75 (April–May 1943)

While a prisoner of war, Alfred undertook camp duties as a camp barber. His statements describe poor rations, limited medical care, and harsh disciplinary conditions. He later recorded that punishments imposed on prisoners were “definitely severe.”

Alfred was repatriated in 1943, arriving back in Allied hands via the Middle East before returning to Australia. In recognition of his service, he was Mentioned in Despatches, an honour formally recorded on 25 November 1944.

He was formally discharged from the Australian Military Forces on 20 February 1945, having completed 1,695 days of service.

Marriages and Family

Alfred married Eileen Mary Sibly on 7 September 1940 in Adelaide, South Australia. The marriage later ended in divorce, finalised in April 1952, following proceedings recorded in The Advertiser newspaper.

The couple had a son -

Donald Alfred Whelan (born 14 August 1941 – died 27 April 1984)

On 16 November 1961, Alfred married Gladys Jane (Jean) McGowan, later known as Gladys Jean Gluyas, in Sydney, New South Wales. The couple honeymooned in Tasmania and later settled in New South Wales, where Alfred spent his later years.

Later Life and Death

Following his discharge, Alfred returned to civilian life and lived primarily in New South Wales. He remained connected to his wartime identity through veteran records and commemorations.

Alfred Robinson Whelan died on 19 January 1988 at Wollongong, New South Wales, aged 78. His death is formally recorded in military and civil records.

Legacy

Alfred Robinson Whelan’s life reflects a continuity of military service across two generations, following his father’s First World War service with his own distinguished and traumatic experience as a Second World War prisoner of war. His survival, repatriation, and later recognition through a Mention in Despatches stand as lasting testimony to his endurance and service.

Sources — Alfred Robinson Whelan (1909–1988)

Civil Registration & Vital Records

England & Wales Birth Records – Birth registered for Alfred Robinson Whelan, 15 April 1909, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England.
Church of England Baptism Registers – Baptism of Alfred Robinson Whelan, 1 May 1909, St Andrew’s Church, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland.
South Australia Marriage Register – Marriage of Alfred Robinson Whelan and Eileen Mary Sibly, 7 September 1940, Adelaide, South Australia.
New South Wales Marriage Records – Marriage of Alfred Robinson Whelan and Gladys Jane (Jean) McGowan, 16 November 1961, Sydney, New South Wales.
South Australia Divorce Records & Newspaper Notices – Divorce proceedings between Alfred Robinson Whelan and Eileen Mary Whelan (née Sibly), granted April 1952; reported in The Advertiser (Adelaide).
New South Wales Death Records – Death of Alfred Robinson Whelan, 19 January 1988, Wollongong, New South Wales.

Military Service – World War II

National Archives of Australia (NAA) –

Service Record: WHELAN, Alfred Robinson
Service Number: SX7438
Series: B883
Item: SX7438
Australian Military Forces (WWII).

Australian Military Forces Attestation Papers – Attestation Form (AA Form A.200), enlisted at Adelaide, South Australia, 2 July 1940.

Australian Army Medical Examination & Discharge Records – Medical classification, discharge proceedings, and service completion documentation, 1940–1945.

Service and Casualty Forms (AAF A.250 / A.F. B103) – Detailed postings, movements, captivity status, repatriation, and discharge entries.

Repatriated Prisoner of War Statements – Statement by Alfred Robinson Whelan, POW No. SX7438, detailing capture in Greece (7 April 1941), internment camps, living conditions, employment, and treatment.

Mentioned in Despatches Records – Australian Military Forces confirmation of Mentioned in Despatches, dated 25 November 1944.

Prisoner of War Records

Australian Military POW Questionnaires – POW camp statements covering internment at Copas Camp, Gruppignano Camp 57, and Bari Camp 75 (1942–1943).
Repatriation and POW Administrative Correspondence – National Archives of Australia records relating to POW status, repatriation, and return to Australia.

Cemetery & Memorial Records

Family Headstone & Cemetery Records –

Parental information confirmed through:
William Whelan (father), WWI veteran, buried West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide (CWGC headstone).
Georgina Margaret Whelan (née Powell) (mother), interred at Centennial Park Cemetery, Pasadena, South Australia.

Cemetery Authority Registers –West Terrace Cemetery and Centennial Park Cemetery burial and interment registers.

Newspapers & Secondary Sources

The Advertiser (Adelaide) –

Divorce notice and related legal reporting, April 1952.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) –

Burial and service confirmation for William Whelan (father), 48th Battalion AIF.

Compiled & Corroborated Research

National Archives of Australia (Digitised Service File Images) –
Attestation forms, casualty sheets, POW statements, discharge papers, medals and returned badge documentation.
Family-supplied photographs and documentary evidence – Including service documents, POW records, and cemetery photographs.

Biography by Trevor Pyatt 16/01/2026