1st Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment.

Awarded the Military Medal in the London Gazette of 13 March 1919.

Whittaker was a native of Burnley, Lancashire.

The Burnley Express of 26 July 1919 reported, ROSEGROVE MILITARY MEDALIST. PRESENTATION BY COUNCILLOR RANDALL. On Tuesday evening at the Congregational School, Rosegrove, there was a social and reception to soldiers of the church and school who have returned home from the army. During the evening there was an interesting ceremony, when ex – Corporal W. Whittaker, of 161, Gannow Lane, Burnley, was presented with the Military Medal which had recently been awarded to him for bravery in the field. The official intimation of the award showed that, “Corporal Whittaker, of the 1st Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment, was awarded the medal for gallant conduct during the heavy German attack on the morning of 27 September 1918. Although wounded, Corporal Whittaker, who was acting platoon sergeant, held of the Germans until all the wounded had been sent to the rear and until re-enforcements had arrived, by which time the company had been reduced from 60 men to Corporal Whittaker and four men, three of whom were in urgent need of medical attention”. Corporal Whittaker enlisted on the 3 September 1914, and was discharged from hospital on the 5 June 1919 prior to his discharge on the 3 July 1919.

Whittaker’s Medal Index Card shows that he served initially in the 7th battalion, arriving in France on the 18 July 1915 and that he received the 1914/15 Star, British War and Victory Medals.

His service papers show that he served with the 7th battalion until November 1917, 8th battalion until June 1918 and the 1st battalion for the rest of his service.