William Groves Whelan (1905 - 1941)

Born 1905 in New Zealand

Husband of Emily Mavis (Gomas) Whelan — married 1930 in New Zealand

Died 22 Nov 1941 at about age 36 in Western Desert, North Africa

William Whelan is an Anzac who served in World War Two.

Biography

parents - William Henry Whelan and Patience Rebecca Robb

spouse - Emily Mavis (Gomas) Whelan

Private William Groves Whelan 62544 - 21st Infantry Battalion - 5th Brigade, 2nd New Zealand Division of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force.

The 21st Infantry Battalion fought in the defence of Greece in April 1941, and in the Battle of Crete in May 1941. Following the loss of Crete, the 21st was deployed with the British Eight Army in North Africa, where Rommel and the Axis forces had pushed the Allies back toward Egypt, leaving a small garrison to defend the port of Tobruk.

The Allied occupation of Tobruk deprived the Axis of a supply port and Rommel was determined to regain the port, resulting in heavy fighting around the tow. From the 18th November 1941, Operation Crusader mounted by the British Eighth Army was intended to relieve the siege of Tobruk. The 21st took part in the operation. They crossed the Libyan frontier into Cyrenaica, on the 22nd November, William Henry Whelan died. The 21st successfully linked up with the British 70th Infantry Division of the besieged Tobruk Garrison on 26 November. Operation Crusader was a success, and the New Zealand troops withdrew to Syria to recover.

Auckland Star 17th December 1943 page 1 [1]

IN MEMORIAM

WHELAN - In memory of Private William, buried overseas December 17, 1941. Ever remembered by his mother-in-law, E. Gomas, sister-in-law, Doll, brother-in-law, Allen Coleman (overseas).

In Memorial Drive, Devonport, a Norfolk Pine, almost 30 metres high, 5th from the northern end of the row of commemorative trees, now stands guardian over a plaque commemorating the life of Private William Groves Whelan [2]

Burial

aged 36

Halfaya Sollum War Cemetery, Egypt

Grave - 22. G. 1.

Sources

• Department of Internal Affairs, New Zealand www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz
• N.Z. BIRTHS - 1905/7814 - Whelan William Groves - parents : Patience Rebecca & William Henry
• N.Z. MARRIAGES - 1930/1474 - Emily Mavis Gomas & William Groves Whelan
• N.Z. DEATHS - 1945/15584 - Whelan William Groves aged 36 years
• The New Zealand Tree Register http://register.notabletrees.org.nz/tree/view/1321

See Also

• 21st Battalion (New Zealand) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21st_Battalion_(New_Zealand)
• Operation Crusader https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Crusader