Lionel Stephen Whitbread

Lionel Whitbread (Service no 3954) was born in Taree, NSW.  He attended Sydney University and was a single, 30 year old school teacher, residing in Balgownie, NSW when he enlisted.

Lionel embarked on HMAT A29 - Suevic with the 13th Battalion, 12th Reinforcements on 20 December 1915.  He was transferred to 4th Australian Machine Gun Company on 19 January 1916.

After arriving in Egypt he was posted to France on 5 June 1916 and saw service on the Western Front until 11 April 1917 when he was taken as a prisoner of war at the Battle for Bullecourt.

Lionel was held in camps in Poland and Germany and was repatriated to England on 11 December 1918.

Lionel returned to Australia in March 1919 and was discharged on 7 June 1919.

On 27th September 1919 he married Irene Pike and returned to teaching.

Lionel died in Chatswood in 1952.

Lionel Whitbread was recommended for the Military Medal and awarded the Croix de Guerre France for his actions in November 1916.

The recommendation reads:  On morning of 27th November 1916, and throughout the period of our occupation in the GUEDECOURT Sector. On the early morning of the 27 November 1916, he went into the front line with his Section and immediately relief in the front line was complete came to Company Headquarters and reported everything OK. Every morning of our occupation of the line he made one of a ration party and every Section that went into the line, he guided to their posts. This man was offered relief but asked permission to remain on duty. During the whole of our relief no casualties occurred and i think this is greatly due to the care Private WHITBREAD showed in guiding relieving parties. Commonwealth Gazette No 169 Dated 4th October 1917.

Lionel was a Balgownie Rangers Player and is remembered on the Balgownie War Memorial.