WHITTAKER, Ivor Kingsley
| Service Numbers: | 21224, VX24 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 28 November 1929, Melbourne, Victoria |
| Last Rank: | Major |
| Last Unit: | Headquarters (2nd AIF) |
| Born: | Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia, 14 August 1910 |
| Home Town: | Hawthorn, Boroondara, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Scotch College & Melbourne University, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Commerce Student & Company Secretary |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Egypt, 12 September 1941, aged 31 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Alamein Memorial (El Alamein), Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 28 Nov 1929: | Enlisted Australian Army (Post WW2), Private, 21224, Melbourne, Victoria | |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Nov 1929: | Promoted Australian Army (Post WW2), Corporal | |
| 1 Mar 1931: | Promoted Australian Army (Post WW2), Sergeant | |
| 14 Sep 1931: | Promoted Australian Army (Post WW2), Lieutenant | |
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Lieutenant, VX24 | |
| 13 Oct 1939: | Promoted Captain | |
| 19 Oct 1939: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Major, VX24 | |
| 19 Oct 1939: | Enlisted Captain, VX24, 1st Infantry Brigade Headquarters, Enlisted in South Melbourne | |
| 26 Feb 1940: | Transferred Captain, 2nd/5th Infantry Battalion | |
| 26 Feb 1940: | Transferred Captain, 6th Australian Division, Transferred to Head Quarters, 6th Australian Division | |
| 15 Apr 1940: | Embarked Captain, 2nd/5th Infantry Battalion | |
| 1 Nov 1940: | Promoted Major, 6th Australian Division, To be Temporary Major | |
| 12 Sep 1941: | Involvement Major, VX24, Headquarters (2nd AIF), Missing presumed dead while on reconnaissance flight over the Mediterranean |
Help us honour Ivor Kingsley Whittaker's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Elizabeth Allen
Ivor Kingsley WHITTAKER was born on 14th August, 1910 in Hawthorn, Victoria as the only son of Robert Charles WHITTAKER and Muriel Ada Matilda FRITH - one sister Shirley
He was in the Scotch College School Cadets in 1923 and on 28th Nov. 1929 he enlisted while at Melbourne University with the Melbourne University Rifles - A Company - he was a Corporal and served for 3 years -
On 19th October 1939 he re-enlisted in South Melbourne - he was with the 17th Australian Infantry Brigade HQ - he was engaged in 1940 to Margaret Arundel SYMONS
He was listed as missing presumed dead while on a reconnaissance flight over the Mediterranean on 12th September, 1941 (Egypt)
His name is memorialised on the Alamein Memorial, Australian War Memorian, Roll of Honour, Hawthorn, Victoria and the Ivor Whittaker Lodge in Mt Buller, Victoria which was built in his honour after he made a bequest in his will - construction commenced in 1945
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Trove Article
The Ivor Whittaker Memorial Lodge known as "the Whitt" is named after Ivor Kingsley Whittaker. He was well known in Melbourne sporting, social and business circles, attending Scotch College and Melbourne Uni before joining the family business Whittaker Clothing.
He represented Victoria in skiing and was a founding member of the University Ski Club as well as a member of the Ski club of Victoria.
Enlisting in the Army in 1939 he was presumed dead after he was reported missing on 12th September, 1941. In his will he requested a sum be provided to the SCV to build a lodge at Mt. Buller for the benefit of Victorian Skiing.
Five hundred pounds was donated by his estate in 1944 and additional fundraising and lots of volunteer labour saw the 36 bed lodge officially opened on 4th May, 1947. The original building was extended & eventually demolished with construction of the current building beginning in 1968 - Ivor represented Australia in the ski team & won a Silver K Trophy in Switzerland in 1931
He was an Air Intelligence Liason Officer between the AIP and RAP in the Middle East
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Major Whittaker began his military career in Scotch College Cadet Corps and the Melbourne University Rifles. He served as guest officer in an English Regiment while abroad in 1931. Enlisting at the outbreak of war he went abroad as a Captain with the first AIF contingent. Four months ago he received severe head injuries in a head on collision . Following his recovery he was recently promoted to Headquarters of RAF as Air Intilligence Liason Officer
Major Whittaker who is 30 had travelled extensively in Europe, America and the Far East . (see link for full article)
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IN MEMORIAM - ROLL OF HONOUR - On Active Service
WHITTAKER - Remembering with pride our beloved Son, Ivor Kingsley Whittaker reported missing over the Mediterranean on a reconnaissance flight on September 12, 1941
REST IN PEACE
Biography contributed by David Barlow
Major Whittaker VX24 of HQ 1 Corps was an observer onboard Blenheim aircraft Z9588 which was lost in the Eastern Mediterranean while taking part in an anti-submarine patrol from Beirut to the coast 10 miles east of Suez
The pilot, Wing Commander Welland 37308 RAF (the CO of 55SQN) was also killed along with Flying Officer James Dodds (Observer) RAAF 402014 & Sergeant James Williams Lucas (WOp/AG) RAFVR 751653
Click images to start slideshow.