George cross (Albert medal) recipient. On the night of the 5th January, 1919, Lance Corporal Whitehead was in command of a guard on the River Meuse. One of the guard, in crossing a plank gangway from a barge where the guardroom was situated to relieve a sentry on the river bank, missed his footing and fell into the river, which was in flood. Lance-Gorporal Whitehead immediately jumped into the river, but in the pitch darkness missed the drowning man. He swam to the shore, climbed out and ran down the bank until he reached the spot where the man had been carried by the swift-running stream, and again jumping in he succeeded in rescuing him. Both rescuer and rescued were wearing equipment and greatcoats at the time, and Lance-Corporal Whitehead undoubtedly risked his life in saving the life of his comrade who, when brought to bank, was unconscious.
George cross (Albert medal) recipient. On the night of the 5th January, 1919, Lance Corporal Whitehead was in command of a guard on the River Meuse. One of the guard, in crossing a plank gangway from a barge where the guardroom was situated to relieve a sentry on the river bank, missed his footing and fell into the river, which was in flood. Lance-Gorporal Whitehead immediately jumped into the river, but in the pitch darkness missed the drowning man. He swam to the shore, climbed out and ran down the bank until he reached the spot where the man had been carried by the swift-running stream, and again jumping in he succeeded in rescuing him. Both rescuer and rescued were wearing equipment and greatcoats at the time, and Lance-Corporal Whitehead undoubtedly risked his life in saving the life of his comrade who, when brought to bank, was unconscious.
Bio by: Paul Barnett
Advertisement
See more Whitehead memorials in:
Advertisement
