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William John Whitelaw (1805–?)

William John Whitelaw (Whitla), a surgeon, was sentenced to fourteen years' transportation for possessing a forged Bank of Ireland note. He arrived in Sydney in 1829 aboard the Sophia. He was recorded as being 5 feet 5¾ inches (167 cms) tall, with a ruddy freckled complexion, brown hair and brown eyes.

In 1832 he began working as an assistant surgeon with the Australian Agricultural Company. He was granted a ticket of leave in 1834.

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Citation details

'Whitelaw, William John (1805–?)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/whitelaw-william-john-24550/text33244, accessed 28 April 2025.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Alternative Names
  • Whitla, William John
Birth

1805
Ireland

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

Passenger Ship
Occupation or Descriptor
Convict Record

Crime: forgery
Sentence: 14 years