Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Awarded for:

Operation Jubilee

Recommendation:
Captain Whitaker commanded the Protective Platoon of Battalion Headquarters, the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry during the operation at Dieppe, 19 August 1942.
The task of this party was to clear the buildings around St. Remy Church and there establish Battalion Headquarters. Captain Whitaker landed with first wave, directed the cutting of both rows of wire on the beach and organized the necessary covering for "B" Company's advance on the Casino. He himself then proceeded to the Casino with his party where after clearing the building and organizing a defence against counter-attack, he led a large party of all elements of the battalion towards the town.
Later he directed the withdrawal of a great portion of the battalion from the town and Casino to the beach and supervised their re-embarkation.
Captain Whitaker's conduct throughout the action was outstanding. He was at all times cool and collected and displayed great courage and initiative in the command of his troops. Captain Whitaker was an inspiration to all ranks of the battalion.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant-Colonel

Unit:

1st Battalion The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Recommendation:
On the 19th of February 1945, the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel W.D. Whitaker, DSO, was ordered to seize and hold the feature southeast of Louisendorf dominating Calcar from the west.
Following a heavy artillery barrage and using armoured personnel carrying vehicles, the Regiment was almost completely successful in getting on to its objective. The elements who were forced to debus short of their objectives, fought their way forward to them.
Lieutenant-Colonel Whitaker directed the consolidation and made certain that defences were properly organized and coordinated. His care in this regard was fully justified during the night when the enemy launched continual counter-attacks against the position using both tanks and infantry. When the enemy finally succeeded in overrunning one company position, Lieutenant-Colonel Whitaker used a counter-attack force he had organized to restore the situation. While this restoration was being effected, a force of enemy tanks infiltrated to within 25 yards of Battalion Headquarters where one was destroyed. By masterful use of his own troops and his supporting artillery, machine guns and mortars, Lieutenant-Colonel Whitaker was successful in repelling this threat.
Repeated enemy attacks were despatched during the night and when day broke, seven knocked-out enemy tanks and numerous enemy dead bore mute testimony to the able defensive tactics adopted by Lieutenant-Colonel Whitaker. These counter-attacks continued well on into the next day, each one mounted with tanks and infantry, and growing more furious in their attempts to dislodge the battalion from the important ground gained. Each time Lieutenant-Colonel Whitaker was the full master of the occasion, and with inspiring leadership and great tenacity restored situation after situation by cool and deliberate planning, until a resolute enemy was forced to abandon a prearranged plan to retake the position due to the heavy casualties suffered in both armour and infantry.
This outstanding action assisted the Brigade in completing its task of furnishing the Division with a base from which to mount further operations. Lieutenant-Colonel Whitaker's cool courage under heavy fire was an inspiration to all ranks and will live forever in the annals of the regiment.

This award was obtained in the form of an Bar to be attached on the ribbon of the first award.