Family :

Service Life:

Campaigns:

• The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.

In October 1915 a combined Franco-British force of some two large brigades was landed at Salonika (today called Thessalonika) with the objective to help the Serbs in their fight against Bulgarian aggression. However before they could be employed the Serbs were beaten. Over the next three years the Salonika front was static, with heavily fortified trench lines, and only minor adjustments by both sides. More troops were sent to Salonika particularly after the withdrawal from Gallipoli. Disease and climate were no lesser enemies than the Turks.

Detail :

William WHITEHORN served on the often ignored Salonika front and was killed in the Second Battle of Doiran. Under the Devil's Eye P.204 gives a description of the circumstances: 'The brigade's third battalion, 7/SWB, was given the most abitious task, namely an assault on Bulgarian positions on the Grande Couronne. In this they would be assisted by the 3rd Greek Regiment attached to 22nd Division, who were to clear enemy defences up to a strongpoint known as the Feather. Initially all went well, the Greeks taking Sugar Loaf and then pushing on to secure both The Tongue and The Maze. Although few Greek infantry remained to tackle either The Feather or The Warren, the 7/SWB were able to secure the former position as their approach was hidden by a dense cloud of dust and smoke. The battalion them noved on to assault Grand Couronne, making it as far as part of the lower slopes known as The Rockies; The battalions on the flanks were unable to advance, and the Battalion was forced to retire after suffering very heavy losses from machine guns on three sides. The remnants of the battalion (55 OR's) were collected together by 2/Lt Stephenson (slightly wounded) and occupied SP1'. (War Diary 7/SWB). Due to enemy fire the 7/SWB were unable to retrieve their wounded from the field. These included the battalions CO Lt Col Daniel Burgess who was awarded the VC for his part in the attack. In all a heroic attack with no lasting gains as the Bulgarians retook The Tongue and The Sugar Loaf during the afternoon of 18th September. WHITEHORN was one of those killed in this attack.

Probate WHITEHORN William Joseph of Winslow Buckinghamshire and of Banbury Oxfordshire solicitor lieutenant 7th (service) battalion South Wales Borderers died on or since 18 September 1918 at Doiran Macedonia on active service Probate Oxford 3 December to William Lampet Whitehorn and Leopold Shilson Whitehorn solicitors. Effects £2238 15s. 1d.

Masonic :

Initiated 23 Jan 1911, Passed 27 Feb 1911 Raised 27 Mar 1911 Aged 28 when initiated. Occupation; Solicitor

Source :

The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:

• The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• The (UK) National Archives
• Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
• ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry

Additional Source:

• Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
• Researcher : Bruce Littley