Lt Colonel John Whiteman, 4th Middlesex Rgt, commanding Hawke Battalion, 63rd Royal Navy Division, died of wounds on 25th April 1917.

He was one of several senior army officers who were posted to battalions of the Royal Naval Division after it's losses at the Battle of Ancre in November 1916.

Whiteman, who was Mentioned in Despatches, was mortally wounded in the attack on Gavrelle on the 23rd April 1917.

Source: various.

From Wanganui Collegiate, "In Memoriam 1914 -1918"

 "Acting Major-General at the time of his death, started his military career as a private in the Third Contingent that left New Zealand for the Boer War, and was there recommended by Lord Roberts for a commission, which he accepted in the 2nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment. He received two medals and seven clasps for his service in South Africa, and was afterwards sent to India. On the outbreak of the present war he was ordered to France, his regiment being the third to land, and getting badly cut up in the now famous retreat from Mons. They again suffered very heavily at Neuve Chapelle, he being the last remaining officer to escape unscathed. Suffering somewhat from shell shock, he was invalided to England, when, on recovery, he took part in some training at Aldershot, before returning to France in command of the Hawke Battalion of the Royal Naval Division. He eventually died of wounds received in action at Arras."