Memorials & Monuments
on the Isle of Wight
- Biography -
- Jack Whittington -

IW Chronicle

October 24th, 1940.

The many friends of Jack Whittington, younger son of Mr and Mrs L. Whittington, of Homestead, Sandown Road, Lake, will be interested to learn that he has passed his examinations for a commission in the R.A.F. He now enters upon a period of six months' training as a Sergeant - Pilot, after which he assumes the commissioned rank of Pilot Officer. Jack Whittington joined the R.A.F. voluntarily soon after the outbreak of the war. It will be recalled that he was a keen footballer having assisted the Sandown Club (under the eye of his father, the Chairman) and also the St Helens and Ryde Rovers Club.

IW Chronicle.

September 25th, 1941.

Congratulations are extended to Jack Whittington, second son of Mr and Mrs L. Whittington, of Homestead, Sandown Road, Lake. who has been awarded his wings in the Royal Air Force in his promotion to the rank of Sergeant Pilot. He finishes his training in Scotland and is now engaged in instructional duties in the Midlands.

IW Chronicle

June 25th, 1942.

Night Flying Instructor.
Among the local service men on leave this week we notice Sergt. Pilot Jack Whittington, R.A.F., son of Mr and Mrs L. Whittington, of Homestead, Sandown Road. Lake. He is enjoying a break of nine days staying with his wife, at Shanklin and looks very fit. He returns to duty next Tuesday. Sergt. Pilot. Whittington joined the Royal Air Force voluntarily at the outbreak of the war and gained his wings about a year ago, finishing his training in Scotland. He is stationed in the Midlands engaged as an instructor in night flying. Island sports enthusiasts will remember him as a keen footballer and playing member of the Sandown St Helens and Ryde Rovers club.

IW Chronicle.

September 24th, 1942.

Promoted Pilot Officer.
The many friends in this district of Sergeant Pilot Jack Whittington, second son of Mr and Mrs Whittington, of Homestead, Sandown Road, Lake, will be interested to learn that he has been granted a commission as Pilot Officer in the Royal Air Force. He gained his wings about a year ago and for some time now has been engaged on instructional duties in the Midlands. Pilot Officer Whittington is a former pupil of Sandown Secondary School and joined the R.A.F. soon after the outburst of war. He is especially remembered in the Island by his associations with local football, he having been a useful member of the Sandown, St Helens and Ryde Rovers Club.

IW Chronicle.

March 18th, 1943.

Sandonian Promotion in R.A.F.
Congratulations are extended to Mr Jack Whittington, youngest son of Mr and Mrs L.H. Whittington, of Homestead, Sandown Road, Lake, on his further promotion in the Royal Air Force to the rank of Flying Officer. He joined the R.A.F. soon after the outbreak of war, gained his wings in the autumn of 1941 and was appointed to the commissioned rank of Pilot Officer from Sergeant Pilot about a year later. Flying Officer Whittington is still engaged in instructional duties somewhere in the Midlands. He is a former pupil of Sandown Secondary School and will be remembered by his activities in Island football.

IW Chronicle.

October 19th, 1944.

Lake Airman Missing.
News has been received recently that Flight Lieut. Jack Whittington, R.A.F., youngest son of Mr and Mrs L.H. Whittington, of Homestead, Sandown Road, Lake, was reported missing following an operational flight. He has a host of friends in the Island, particularly in the Sandown Shanklin area, and they all will join with the members of the family and relatives in the hope that news of his safety may soon be received. Jack Whittington is a former pupil of Sandown Secondary School and will be remembered as a popular footballer in the Sandown, St Helens and Ryde Rovers teams. He joined the R.A.F. soon after the outbreak of the war and gained his wings in the autumn of 1941. About twelve months later he was appointed to commissioned rank from Sergt. Pilot. For some considerable period he was engaged in instructional duties somewhere in the Midlands.

IW Chronicle.

November 23rd, 1944.

Lake Man Killed in Action.
Flight Lieutenant Jack Whittington, R.A.F., younger son of Mr and Mrs L.H. Whittington, of Homestead, Sandown Road, Lake, reported missing early last month and later officially stated to have been killed, was shot down in Belgium while on an operational flight. Information received by his wife and parents disclosed that identification was established following the discovery of the Spitfire which Flight Lieut. Whittington had been flying. His remains were interred somewhere in Belgium by personnel of the R.A.F. A former pupil of Sandown Secondary School and remembered in the East Wight as a footballer in the Sandown, St Helens and Ryde Rovers team. Jack Whittington was a very popular young fellow and the news of his death came as a shock to a host of friends. His wife (nee Miss Tina Schofield of Shanklin), who is left with a young daughter and Mr and Mrs L.H. Whittington are very appreciative of the many expressions of sympathy they have received for which they return grateful thanks.

Extract from the R.A.F. Operations Record Book of 127 Sqn. :

Place : B.57 France
Date : 2.10.44
Summary of Events :
10 a/c were airborne at 1050 enroute to Dive Bomb Gun Positions in area D.94/GRJ.2, landing back to base at 1210. 6 bombs were seen to hit the target area, which again was well straffed after bombing. 1 a/c CAT AC the pilot F/Lt. Whittington missing.