Profile image
Military service
Age:
26
Rank:
Captain
Force:
Army
Unit/Regiment:
Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment)
Division:
13th Bn.
Death:
April 22, 1915
Burial/memorial information
Grave reference:
Panel 24 - 26 - 28 - 30
Additional information
Son of William Thomas Whitehead and his wife Anne Lilian Ward, of Montreal.
Digital gallery of Captain Lionel Ward Whitehead
-
Circumstances of Death Registers
The E-103 appears to be incorrect as it states that Captain Whitehead was KIA on 22 April 1915. Detailed records of the 13th Battalion show that he was killed on 24 April 1915. The CWGC still reports the death of 22 April 1915. -
Document
Sketch 8 of Nicholson's text on the History of the Canadian Army in the Great War shows where the 13th Battalion was in place along the road to Poelcappelle when Captain Whitehead was mortally wounded. He was carried out by Lieutenant Pitablo, who was himself wounded, spending the rest of the war as a POW. Captain Whitehead died of his wounds. -
Document
The "Unknown Captain" of the 13th Battalion (royal Highlanders of Canada) is buried in Plot 59 ROw D Grave 12 of the Tyne Cot (British) Cemetery in Belgium. Reference: Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Graves Registration Report Form 1834182. -
Document
The recovery of the remains of the Captain of the 13th Battalion were made at map coordinates 28.C.6.b.3.8, precisely where Captain Whitehead fell mortally wounded on 24 April 1915. Reference: Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Concentration of Graves (Exhumation and Reburials) Burial Return document 1836372. -
Document
Two errors in the records of Captains of the 13th Battalion occurred that lead to a belief that Cpt. Whitehead was KIA on 22 April 1915 (CWGC Records). He was still alive on 24 April 1915 when Lt. Pitbaldo made every effort to rescue him but unfortunately had to leave him behind, thought to be mortally wounded, noted as Error #1. A subsequent review of the Archives of the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) shows that Cpt. Whitehead was taken by the Germans to Langemark as a POW (posted image). How long he survived is not known at this time but we are checking records in Belgium and Germany. As such, Cpt. Whitehead is not in Plot 59 Row D Grave 12 at Tyne Cot Cemetery, rather that is Captain Gerald Oscar Lees, the only Captain of the 13th Battalion left behind at the front lines on 24 April 1915 (his date of death was also incorrectly reported, thus Error #2). -
Letter
Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me -
Letter
Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me -
Letter
Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me -
Letter
Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me -
Memorial
Inscription on the Menin Gate … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens -
Newspaper clipping
From the Montreal Star 1915. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
From the Montreal Star 1915. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
From the Montreal Star 1915. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
Digital gallery of
Captain Lionel Ward Whitehead
Digital gallery of
Captain Lionel Ward Whitehead
Digital gallery of
Captain Lionel Ward Whitehead
Digital gallery of
Captain Lionel Ward Whitehead
Digital gallery of
Captain Lionel Ward Whitehead
Digital gallery of
Captain Lionel Ward Whitehead
Digital gallery of
Captain Lionel Ward Whitehead
Digital gallery of
Captain Lionel Ward Whitehead
Digital gallery of
Captain Lionel Ward Whitehead
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 41 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.
Request this page
Download this page
The Poppy Design is a trademark of The Royal Canadian Legion (Dominion Command) and is used with permission. Click here to learn more about the poppy.
Did we miss something?
Contribute information to this commemorative page
Do you have photographs, information or a correction relating to this individual’s virtual memorial? Learn more about the CVWM and the information we collect.