 Whittle was born on 2 August 1882 at Huon Island , Tasmania , to Henry Whittle , a labourer , and his wife Catherine ( née Sullivan ) . He grew up in Hobart , and was living there when he enlisted as a private in the 4th Tasmanian ( 2nd Imperial Bushman ) Contingent during 1899 , for service in the Second Boer War . The unit embarked for South Africa on 27 March 1901 , and arrived four weeks later . The contingent spent the following twelve months on active duty , which included action in the Cape Colony , before returning to Australia on 25 June 1902 . 
