Military Cross and bar : Captain N H Whitfield, 5 Pioneer Battalion, AIF

Military Cross and bar (Geo V). A cross pattee with an Imperial crown at the end of each arm. Bar suspension with white and purple ribbon. Unnamed as issued.

Norman Harold Whitfield had served four years in the militia with the NSW 37th Illawarra Infantry and was an electrician before the start of the First World War. In 1914 he served with the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force New Guinea, reaching the rank of corporal. After his discharge he re- enlisted with the AIF on 11 May 1915, then aged twenty, and was appointed to the 7th Reinforcements for 1 Battalion.

By 4 November 1915 Whitfield was on Gallipoli he was promoted to lance-corporal before his battalion was evacuate and arrived back in Alexander on 28 December. He reverted to private and was transferred to 53 Battalion in mid February. Before going to France Whitfield gained a commission, on 1 March 1916 and became a 2nd lieutenant in 5 Pioneer Battalion.

The battalion went into the trenches in July 1916 around Fleurbaix in France and Whitfield was promoted to lieutenant the same month. On the night of the 19-20 July at Petillon, he was in charge of the divisional water supply. He kept the frontline supplied with water despite a severe artillery barrage. Then, on the 5 August, at Sailly, he attended his wounded men after their billet had been hit by a high explosive shell, even though he himself had concussion. For these actions Whitfield was mentioned in despatches.

For his actions between 19 July 1916 and 27 December, Whitfield was recommended for a Military Cross (MC). The recommendation for the award reads ‘Near Gueudecourt on the 4th December 1916, Lieut Whitfield displayed conspicuous bravery in set out a communications trench about 500 yards long, with tape, in daylight, in full view of the enemy. The trench proceeded to our front line. As a result the best siting for the trench was obtained and the men when brought out to work were able to proceed direct and commence digging immediately. Lieut Whitfield was sniped at continuously the whole time. On the 27th December 1916, Lieut Whitfield also reconnoitred another communication trench leading to the front line during daylight – the existing communication trench had been badly damaged by shell fire. Here again he was sniped at continuously but completed his task. Lieut Whitfield has shown himself a brave and courageous officer on previous occasions. On July 19/20th [1916] he was in charge of the water supply from the front line to the captured position – this he maintained under trying conditions.’

By September 1917 the battalion was in Belgium. On the night of 28-29 September it was east of Polygon Wood. Whitfield was part of a wiring party. When the covering infantry company withdrew, a friendly SOS flare was fired, bringing machine gun and artillery fire from both sides of the lines. In the ensuing melee many were wounded including the commanding officer. Under heavy fire Whitfield helped a wounded man back to the lines, then went back out to make sure no wounded were left behind. He was assisted by Company Sergeant Major Jurd and Lance-Corporal Purtill. Whitfield was wounded during this action but remained at his post. He was recommended to receive a bar for his MC, which was not awarded.

In late February 1918 Whitfield was seconded to the Pioneer Training School in England. During this time he contracted influenza. He returned to his unit on 8 September 1918 and on 29 September he went into action at Bellicourt, France. For his actions there Whitfield was awarded a bar to his MC. The recommendation reads ‘Near Bellicourt on the 29th September 1918, whilst on urgent forward road work, Lieut. WHITFIELD led his company through a very heavy covering barrage to their allotted work. His judgment, coolness and example were responsible for the initial success of the day’s operations. Later when the enemy held the Northern portion of Bellicourt, he took forward a portion of his platoon in a dense fog, under heavy machine gun fire, and drove the enemy out, thereby enabling the road to be got through. Later still, when the party were subjected to direct machine gun fire in the open, in the absence of infantry, he organised a party and silenced the machine gun, and also dispersed the crew of an anti-tank gun. His splendid courage, initiative, example and devotion to duty were largely responsible for getting the road through.’

Whitfield was promoted to captain on 29 October 1918. He embarked for return to Australia on 2 February 1919.

Whitfield again enlisted for service in the Second World War, on 13 June 1940 and served in Malaya. He was Director-General of Recruiting in July 1941 with the rank of Major. He was serving as Deputy Assistant Adjutant General with 8 Division when he was discharged from the AIF in August 1941 having attained the rank of lieutenant colonel. In 1942 he was appointed a senior liaison officer between the American and Australian forces. For this work he was awarded the US Medal of Freedom in 1948. He unsuccessfully contested the seat of Watson as a United Australia Party candidate in the 1943 Federal election.

On the 4 November 1950 Whitfield was accidentally killed when he fell between a moving train and the platform at Killara station in Sydney.

• British War Medal 1914 - 1920 : Lieutenant Colonel I Chaseling, Sea Transport Service, AIF.
• Victory Medal with MID : Lieutenant Colonel I Chaseling, Sea Transport Service, AIF.