The Leinster Regiment at St Eloi, Western Front, 1915 (b/w photo)

One of 30 photographs relating to the Leinster Regiment at St Eloi, Western Front, 1915. Property of the late Capt John Leo Whitty, MC, IMC. Mounted on two pages from an album. Associated with World War One, Western Front (1914-1918). Whitty was born in Cape Town in 1894 and gazetted into the Leinster Regiment in February 1913. He joined the 1st Battalion at Fyzabad the following September and after the outbreak of war returned with it from India to France. He was wounded during the retaking of St Eloi on 15 March 1915, an action in which his battalion distinguished itself. Mentioned in Desptaches for his gallantry and coolness, Whitty was awarded the Military Cross the following June. He later served on attachment with 70th Squadron Royal Flying Corps and was killed on 8 July 1916 when he was hit by anti-aircraft fire during a reconnaissance flight over enemy territory. He is commemorated on the Arras Flying Services Memorial.