WHITMORE, Russell Alfred

WHITMORE, Russell Alfred – A Southern Downs Veteran

CONFLICT : WWII
SERVICE NO : QX9881
RANK : Private
UNIT : 2/26th Ballalion
ENLISTMENT DATE : 24/06/1940
AGE : 27
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT : Brisbane, Queensland
PLACE OF BIRTH : Gympie, Queensland
RELIGION : Presbyterian
OCCUPATION : Barman
DATE OF DEATH : 29/01/1942
PLACE OF BURIAL : No Known Grave, Malaya

MEMORIALS : Warwick State High School Roll of Honour 1939-1945, Warwick The Fallen 1939-1945, Warwick War Memorial, Esk and District 1939-1945 Honour Board, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Singapore Memorial to the Missing

View this person’s Service File : WHITMORE, Russell Alfred

NOTES : Born in Gympie, Russell Alfred Whitmore was one of nine children born to Charles and Katherine Maria Whitmore (nee Lorensen). His parents became the proprietors of the Langham Hotel before they moved to the Commercial Hotel. The Commercial Hotel later changed its name to the Horse & Jockey Hotel.

Russell was educated at Warick Central State School and the Warwick State High School. He was a keen sportsman playing cricket, football and was a member of the swimming squad. Additionally, he was an excellent skater and it is told he often participated when the skating rink was operating. The rink was situated near Olsen’s produce store near the Barnes Flour Mill.

After leaving school Russell worked as a barman in the family hotel until his mother died and the hotel was sold. At this time, he and his older sister Elsie made the decision to purchase the Commercial Hotel in Esk. This establishment burned down around 1955.

In June 1940 Russell enlisted in Brisbane and was posted to the 2/26th Battalion. He sailed aboard the Manix to Singapore and arrived there on August 15, 1941.

He was with the battalion when the Japanese attacked Malaya in December 1941. On January 28 and 29, 1942 the Australians were subjected to heavy bombing, artillery and mortar fire from the Japanese. It was here that Russell was killed by an exploding mortar bomb.

Russell’s body was either not recovered from the battle field, or his field grave could not be located after the war by the War Graves Commission. His name appears on the Singapore Memorial to the Missing.

Read about Southern Downs Military History here.