JOHN NEWMAN WHITMORE
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Born: April 1921, Ipswich.
Died: 30th June 1941; age: 20; at Dover, Kent. Killed during a night operation, after the aircraft became entangled in the cable of a barrage balloon.
Residence: 937, Colchester Road, Ipswich.
Occupation: on the staff of the W.A. & A.C. Churchman Branch of the Imperial Tobacco Co., Ltd., at Ipswich.
John joined the 4th Suffolks in January 1939 and was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in June of that year. He remained with the Battalion until August 1940, when he transferred to the Royal Air Force for Army co-operation work. After gaining his wings, John was eventually posted to Coastal Command.
Rank: Pilot Officer; Service Number: 44533.
Regiment: Royal Air Force, 59 Squadron. Coastal Command.
Formerly Second Lieutenant, 44533, Suffolk Regiment.
Buried 3rd July 1941, body brought from R.A.F. Station Hawkinge, service conducted by Squadron Leader Warner, R.A.F. Chaplain. A wooden cross erected by the I.W.G.C. on the 3rd October 1941.
Grave Reference:
O.2.45.
Folkstone,
Kent.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Sydney Charles & Dorothy Winifred Whitmore, of Ipswich.
Father: Sydney Charles Whitmore, born October 1894, Harwich, Essex. A buyer & assistant accountant – tobacco & cigarette manufacturer.
Mother: Dorothy Winifred Whitmore (nee Newman), born July 1894, Great Bentley, Essex.
Brother: Gerald Keith Whitmore, born February 1925, Ipswich.
CENSUS
1921 58, Wellesley Road, Ipswich.
John was 2 months old and lived with his parents.
Sydney Whitmore, a Commercial Clerk for The Imperial Tobacco Co. (of Great Britain & Ireland) Ltd. – Tobacco Manufacturers, at Portman Road, Ipswich.
Dorothy Whitmore, 26 years & 11 months old, Home Duties.
John was educated at Ipswich School – he left the school in 1937.
John was active in all branches of local athletics and was a member of the Ipswich Operatic Society.
http://www.ipswichschoolmuseumandarchives.co.uk
John is also remembered on the Chapel war memorial at Ipswich School, and at St. Andrew’s Church, Rushmere St. Andrew, Suffolk.
30th June 1941
Aircraft: Blenheim Bomber Mk IV; Serial Number: V5863; Squadron Code: TR-X. Operation: Wander Patrol. Take Off Time from the Base at Detling: 02.26 hrs. The crew were all killed after they became entangled with a barrage balloon cable on the return from a patrol to the coast of Holland and ditched off Dover, Kent. John’s body was the only one to be recovered; his crew are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey.
Fellow Crew:
Dennis Noel Dulley; Sergeant; age 21; R.A.F.V.R.
Patrick Arthur Truman; Sergeant; age 25; R.A.F.V.R.
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