 Soon after his return to Australia , Whittle enlisted in the Royal Navy as a stoker . He spent five years as a sailor , during which time he was attached to various ships on the Australia Station , including HMS Challenger and HMAS Pioneer . Discharged from the navy in 1907 , Whittle joined the Australian Army and was posted to the Army Service Corps ; he was to serve in this position for three and a half years . During this time , Whittle married Emily Margaret Roland in a Catholic ceremony at the archbishop 's house , Hobart , on 23 July 1909 . 
