S5485 / 3106
WHITINGTON, William
| Service Number: | 21 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 7 September 1914, One of first to enlist in Adelaide. |
| Last Rank: | Trooper |
| Last Unit: | 3rd Infantry Brigade Headquarters |
| Born: | Myponga, South Australia, 19 November 1885 |
| Home Town: | Willunga, Onkaparinga, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Blacksmith |
| Died: | Curramulka, South Australia, 17 May 1928, aged 42 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Curramulka Cemetery, S.A. |
| Memorials: | Curramulka Uniting Church WW1 Pictorial Roll of Honor , Curramulka War Memorial, Willunga War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 7 Sep 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 21, One of first to enlist in Adelaide. | |
|---|---|---|
| 21 Oct 1914: | Involvement Private, 21, 3rd Infantry Brigade Headquarters, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Saldanha embarkation_ship_number: A12 public_note: '' | |
| 21 Oct 1914: | Embarked Private, 21, 3rd Infantry Brigade Headquarters, HMAT Saldanha, Adelaide | |
| 3 Apr 1916: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 21, Discharged on Medical grounds | |
| 11 Nov 1918: | Involvement Trooper, 21 |
Some Background on William Whitington
William Henry George WHITINGTON, was born on 19 November 1885, to William Henry WHITINGTON and Margaret Ann NELSON, in Myponga, District of Yankalilla, South Australia.
William was one of six children born to William and Margaret. He had a brother James Campbell Nelson (born 21 June 1881 at Aldinga), a brother Alexander Stewart (born 16 September 1888 at Myponga), a sister Linda Alice (born 30 April 1891 at Willunga), a brother Sydney Alfred (born 19 July 1893 at Willunga, SA), and a brother Frank Lancelot (born 13 March 1898 at Willunga).
At the time of his enlistment, William was 28 years of age, working as a blacksmith. He was 6 feet tall, with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He was Church of England by religion.
Private Whitington belonged to Regiment No 21, 9th A.I.F.
William was wounded at Gallipoli on 25 April 1918, receiving a rifle bullet wound to his right hip. More than a month later, he was admitted to 2nd W.G. Hospital in Manchester (High Street) hospital on 28 May 1915 and under treatment for his injuries for 61 days.
William was discharged from the AIF in Adelaide, on 3 April 1916 on account of medical unfitness.
William received a 1914-1915 Star, a British war Medal, and a Victory Medal.
Submitted 11 January 2024 by Allison Ballard
Biography contributed by Peter Cates
William Whitington was born in Myponga and his family later moved to Willunga. His brother James Campbell Nelson Whitington, received a medal on his return from the Boer War, which probably inspired William to be one of the first to enlist at Adelaide on 7 September 1914.
He embarked for Egypt with the 9th AIF Battalion and landed at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915, where he was attached to HQ 3rd Infantry Brigade. On that first day he suffered gunshot wounds to his right hip and abdomen, so was transferred to England and admitted to 2nd War General Hospital in Manchester on 28 May 1915. William was eventually sent home and received his discharge on medical grounds on 3rd April 1916.
William never married, and resided at Curramulka where he died on 17 May 1928 aged 42 years. His younger brother Frank also served in the conflict.
Excerpt from the book, "A Picture of Fortitude" with approval by The Willunga Recreation Park.
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