Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Patrick John White (to his family and mates he was known as Rungie).

Patrick John White was born in Coonamble to Sydney Alexander White and Barbara Sarah Ellen White (née Clarke), and was one of four children alongside Mary, Michael, and Beryl. Before enlisting for war service, he worked as a shearer, rouseabout, and labourer. He never married and had no children.

During the Second World War, Patrick served with the Australian Military Forces. On 16 February 1942, he was officially reported as Missing in Action, and later, on 27 September 1943, confirmed as a Prisoner of War in Malaya. He was held at Changi Prison Camp, where he endured the hardships faced by many Australian POWs.

Patrick was recovered from Changi on 8 September 1945 and returned to Australia on 28 September 1945. Following his return, he underwent a period of recovery at a rehabilitation hospital in Sydney until he regained sufficient physical and mental strength to resume independent life.

In total, Patrick served 1,646 days during the war, including 224 days of active service in Australia and 1,358 days overseas. He was discharged from the Australian Military Forces on 10 May 1946 at the age of 31 years and 7 months.

After the war, Patrick worked at Mascot Airport, contributing to concrete construction projects, before eventually returning to his hometown of Coonamble, New South Wales.

Patrick John White passed away on 3 January 1966 and is buried in the Coonamble Cemetery, NSW