Career
Whitley joined the Royal Air Force in 1926. He served in World World War II as Officer Commanding Number. 149 Squadron and then as Station Commander at Royal Air Force Linton-on-Ouse.
He was shot down in 1943.
After evading capture, he continued his war service as Station Commander at Royal Air Force Lissett and then as Air Officer Commanding Number. 43 Base. He went on to be Air Officer Commanding Number.
4 Group and then Air Officer Commanding Number. 8 Group. After the War he served as Assistant Air Officer Administration at Headquarters Air Command South East Asia and then as Station Commander at Royal Air Force Karachi.
He was appointed Director of Organisation (Establishments) at the Air Ministry in 1947 and Air Officer Administration at Headquarters Second Tactical Air Force in 1951.
He went on to be Air Officer Commanding Number. 1 Group in 1953, Air Member for Personnel in 1957 and Inspector-General of the Royal Air Force in 1959 before retiring in 1962.
