From an email sent 2 December 2009.

Brave "Bert" Whitlock will be long remembered by DeaIites and by many of his comrades in the Sportsmen's Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers. The elder son of the late Inspector Eli Whitlock, S.E. & C.R., and of Mrs. Whitlock, of 18, Park Street, Deal, Albert Eli Whitlock was educated at the Wesleyan School under Mr. Mugford. While in a clerical post under the S.E. & C.R., he volunteered for service with the Royal West Kents in the South African War, and on his return he was engaged on the clerical staff at Walmer Brewery. A fine athlete, and proficient in all branches of sport, he took an active interest in cricket and football here, and was on the committee of the Deal and Walmer Angling Association. In October, 1914, he again offered his services to his country, and for upwards of 12 months was in charge of bombers at the Front. In the always hazardous work of the "Suicide Club" he on a number of occasions showed the most extraordinary intrepidity, and for conspicuous bravery in bringing in a wounded comrade under heavy fire he was awarded the Military Medal in May, 1916, and made sergeant-bomber. He was more than once offered a commission, but preferred to remain with the "boys." His contempt for danger was shown when, impatient at a block in a communication trench, he ran along the top, but he was reported, and for "unduly exposing himself to the enemy" he had two stripes removed, temporarily. But unhappily, early in November, 1916, before his rank had been restored, this dauntless leader of men was shot through the head, to the deep regret of very many friends.

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