Wikipedia:Today's featured article/August 17, 2010

John Whittle (1882–1946) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" for members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces. Born in Tasmania, Whittle completed twelve months of active service during the Second Boer War, before returning to Australia and serving for five years in the Royal Navy as a stoker. Re-enlisting in the army, he was posted to the Army Service Corps, artillery, and Tasmanian Rifle Regiment prior to the First World War. Transferring to the Australian Imperial Force in 1915, Whittle joined the 12th Battalion in Egypt and embarked for the Western Front the following year. He won the Distinguished Conduct Medal for rushing a German trench and forcing the men from the position. He was decorated with the Victoria Cross following two separate actions during the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line in 1917. In the second, he attacked a machine gun crew, killing the group and seizing the gun. Wounded three times during the war, Whittle was the subject of two courts-martial due to his unruly behaviour. In 1918, he returned to Australia at the invitation of the Prime Minister to assist in recruitment. After being discharged from the military, he moved to Sydney. He died in 1946 at the age of 63. (more...)

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