Alexander White

Ballarat Old Colonists' Association World War One Honour Board

World War One Honour Board at St Andrew's Kirk, Ballarat for those who died as the result of war, Ballarat Heritage Services Picture Collections

History

Alexander Henry (Alick) White was born on 09 May 1882, the son of Alexander White and Eliza Collison. He was educated at Ballarat's Grenville College. He served during the Boer War in the 1899 Victorian Mounted Rifles. White was a maltster with Joe White Maltings Ltd. He married Myrtle Louise Glasson.

White enlisted into the AIF on 05 September 1914. During World War One he served in the 8th Light Horse as a Lieutenant-Colonel. He received a shrapnel wound to the scalp at Walker's Ridge, Gallipoli on 27 June 1815, and returned to duty a week later. White was listed as 'missing' on 07 August 1915, and found to be dead by a Board of Enquiry. The following day he was reported as killed in action. A special mention by Sir Ian Hamilton was made in dispatches of 26 August 1915. The Old Colonists' Club minutes reported that Alex. H. White had found a soldiers grave at Gallipoli.

Colonel White was killed by machine gun fire at Walker's Ridge, Gallipoli. Attempts to recover his body proved to be too dangerous and they were ordered to give up the attempt.

Obituary

WHITE.—In loving memory of dear brothers, Lance-Corporal W. H. (Bill), killed Gallipoli, September 16, 1915: also Private Alick White, killed in France, August I6, I916.

No father or mother to soothe their brow,

No brother to say good-bye;

No sister was there to shake their hand,

When death was drawing nigh.

—Inserted by their loving sister and brother-in-law, Ethel and Jim Read.

WHITE.—In loving memory of our dear brother, Will, late 11th Light Horse, died September 16, 1915, from wounds received, Suvla Bay. Buried at sea.

Far from those that fondly loved him,

Far from the land that gave him birth. Angel hosts o'er thy grave keep watching In that far-off watery grave.

—Inserted by his loving sister and brother-in-law, E. and G. Goodliffe, Cawthorne-street, Southwark.

WHITE.—In loving memory of our dear brother, Will, died September 16, 1915, of wounds received at Suvla Bay.

When the flags are o'er the roadway,

And the troops come marching home,

O, God have pity for the watching ones

Whose brother will never come home. —Inserted by his loving sister and brother-in-law, Flo and Fred Bailey, Thebarton.

WHITE.—In loving memory of our dear brother, Will, died September 16, 1915.

We remember the day when we parted,

We remember the last good-bye,

But little we thought when he left us

That he was going away to die.

—Inserted by his loving brother, George, and sister-in-law, May.

WHITE.—In loving memory of our dear brother, Will, killed on Gallipoli, September 16, 1915.

He has sailed on his last commission,

In that beautiful ship called Rest; And his head is safely pillowed

On his Great Commander's breast.

—Inserted by his loving sister and brother-in-law, Ethel and Charley.

WHITE.—In loving memory of our dear son, Will, killed on Gallipoli, September 16, 1915.

The hardest part is yet to come, When the heroes all return.</ref>

And we miss among the cheering throng The face of our son, who's gone.

—Inserted by his loving parents, brother and sister, Charlie and Doris.

Legacy

Caption. Planting for Alexander White, c1919. Image courtesy Federation University Historical Collection (Cat.No.1279)

Tree number 505 in the Ballarat Avenue of Honour was planted for Alexander White by his wife Mrs Myrtle Loiuse White.

A.H. White is listed on the honour board of the Old Colonists' Club Ballarat, St Anddrewos Kirk, Ballarat; and the Ballarat Yacht Club Honor Roll.

Colonel Alick White is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial, and was posthumously mentioned in dispatches.

See also

Ballarat Avenue of Honour

Old Colonists' Club Ballarat

Joe White Maltings Ltd

World War One

External links

Dossier http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=1846267

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