WHITELOCK, PTE. HENRY Reg. # 48661
Phillip Henry Whitelock was born on August 22, 1895 at Coe Hill, Ontario, the son of Phiilip James Whitelock and Mary Ann Bird. (Phillip Sr. died October 20, 1946 in Sundridge. Mary Ann died March 20, 1953 in Sundridge.)
At the time of the 1901 census the family was identified as living in Hastings North.
Phillip ‘Henry’ Whitelock is identified as having enlisted August 31, 1915 at Niagara (or September 7, 1915).
His attestation papers show both August 31, and September 7.
In his Attestation papers he shows his next of kin as his mother Mrs. Mary Whitelock, living in Pearcely.
Henry landed in England on December 11, 1915 on the S.S. Lapland.
Henry was shown as having arrived in France on July 6, 1916 to join the 13th Canadian Battalion
On September 5. 1916 he was reported wounded and reported missing.
Henry was transferred to the 17th Battalion on February 3, 1916.
He was subsequently transferred to the 13th Battalion in France July 6, 1916; joining his unit on that date.
On September 5, 1916 he was reported wounded and subsequently missing. He was later presumed dead.
“Between this fighting and the big efforts on the Somme in September the Canadians were not engaged in any big fighting. On September 1st they began to move southwards towards the long struggles which had already begun in the region before Albert and Bray. The 13th on the 2nd of September moved into support trenches at La Boiselle, occupying part of the old German trenches. On the following day (Sunday) the battalion, which was here co-operating with the 13th Australian Infantry Brigade, was ordered by Gen. Glasstorch of that Brigade to send forward two companies to Pozieres to support the Australians who were attacking Mouquet Farm. This was the introduction of the battalion into that region which the Germans had christened "the Blood-Baths of the Somme."
No. 1 and No. 2 companies, under Major Lovett and Major MacPherson respectively, went forward during the morning. At 2 p.m. another call was made, and No. 3 company, under Major Peterman, went forward. Three hours later the remainder of the battalion also moved.
The first two companies held positions in the forward area and consolidated them. No. 1 company bombed the German communication trenches, and No. 2 company repelled a German attack. At 9 p.m. the entire battalion relieved the 52nd, 51st and 41st Australians. During the whole of the night the men were heavily shelled, and many were knocked out or buried by the upheavals. When day broke the shelling continued, and, later, the enemy made a determined counter-attack, but they were beaten back. On the 5th the shelling continued on both sides, and by this time our batteries had been ranged and were sending over two shells to every German one. In the evening of that day Nose 1 and 2 companies were relieved by the 16th Battalion, the final relief of the whole battalion taking place on the night of the 7th, when they retired, worn out, to billets at Grande Mampis, Albert.” From The Story of the Thirteenth Battalion The Royal Highlanders of Canada 1914 -1917 By Stuart Martin
Phillip Henry Whitelock was wounded September 5th 1916 and “presumed to have died on or since that date.
