The Soldier's Details

Whitton enlisted 22 June 1940 aged 33 years having previously been in the Citizen Forces for 8 years.

Review WX4758 Henry Whitton‘s military records held at NAA

Whitton departed Suez on Orcades, arriving Java 8 Feb 1942 where part of the 2/3rd disembarked.   Java surrendered to Japan 8 March 1942 although many forces fought the invading Japanese until later in April.

On 7 March 1942 Whitton, with 2/3rd MGB was reported missing in action at Java.  Tragically this report did not change and 2 April 1946 he was officially presumed dead.

It was later found Bill had been executed in Java on 30 April 1942 with five other 2/3rd boys.   They had been attempting to escape Java when found by the Japanese.

‘Sergeant Henry WHITTON For acts of gallantry in action following capture by the Imperial Japanese Army in March 1942 until his execution as a result of an escape attempt in about April 1942. Sergeant Henry Whitton, with other members of the 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion attached to Blackforce, became a prisoner of war when allied forces surrendered Java to the Imperial Japanese Army in March 1942. After 11 March 1942, Sergeant Whitton and five other men escaped, making for the coast of Java by hiding among Royal Air Force prisoners of war. The group continued their escape from Yogyakarta but were recaptured by Japanese forces, interrogated and taken away to Tasikmalaya. Sergeant Whitton and the five others are reported to have been executed near Tasikmalaya about April 1942.’

Whitton married about 1934 to Delce Weir – they had two children.  Delce remarried in 1964.

Below:  Official notice of Sgt Henry Whitton’s death.

Several of the WA men, including Whitton and Bessell were executed on 30 April 1942 having been found by the Japanese attempting to escape.