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Australia

From Charmaine Patricia Watters

Pte. Roy White, 10th Battalion Australian Infantry, was wounded in the first days after the landing at Anzac. After treatment in Egypt, he was evacuated to England, writing from a Red Cross Hospital in Stretford, Manchester, on 16th June 1915.

“I have arrived at a Red Cross hospital in England. It is controlled by the British Red Cross Society and there is no military discipline, so things are all right. The military doctor recommended that I should be sent to a convalescent home at the seaside, but apparently they are full up. However, I am very well satisfied with this place. The sisters and nurses are so kind and look after us well. They take us to a matinee at Manchester at least once a week, and motor drives and little outings like that are quite minor features. There are also about a couple of concerts at the hospital every week, and we are allowed out every afternoon, and evening. On Saturday afternoon a small party of us were taken to a gentleman's house quits near, and we had the time of our lives. The house belongs to a Manchester manufacturer, and is surrounded with beautiful grounds. We played bowls, tennis, and croquet to the accompaniment of music from a good gramaphone. [sic] The whole family were exceedingly kind. It was a delightful summer day, and tea was served out on the lawn, after which there were more games and music till 9 p.m., when he had to return home to bed. It is perfectly light here until nearly 10 p.m. On Sunday Mr. Higham came to the hosiptal [sic] and asked us to come out to tea that evening. We went, and have been there every evening since to play billiards. All the people here are just the same. They cannot do enough for us, and I think we shall be killed by kindness before we give the Turks another chance to do it by another means instead. When I arrived at Alexandria from the Dardanelles all I had with me was my paybook, purse, and pocket book, in which I had letters to English friends. All the clothing I had on was a sweater. I have to thank my brother Hurtle [1] for these few belongings, as he took me out of the firing line after I had been wounded. When charging the trenches I thought I should never come out of the position alive, as the bullets were buzzing everywhere, but when it got dark we retired to the others. We had a very hot time all night, and in the morning we were relieved. It was then I came across Hurtle and Tom Dakyn, [2] and we were all on our way to the reserves for a sleep when we were sent up to another position. It was there that I stopped short. I expect to be here about two weeks, then furlough, and after that more drill before going back to Gallipoli.” [3]

White rejoined his battalion at Gallipoli on 29th September 1915 and served there until the evacuation. Promoted corporal on 16th April 1916, he was wounded in France in July 1916, and promoted to to temporary sergeant on 16th August 1916. Initially reported as having been killed in action on 22nd August 1916, White was later confirmed as a prisoner of war.

Following the signing of the Armistice, he arrived in England on 18th November 1918. The former clerk died of pneumonia during the Spanish 'Flu pandemic while on leave at 7 Gladstone Avenue, Monkeaton, Northumberland, on 6th December 1918. Buried in Whitley Bay (Hartley South) Cemetery, he was the son of Walter Herbert and Elizabeth Frances White, of “Elesley,” 20, Alison Street, St. Leonards, Glenelg, South Australia.

[1] Cpl., later Sgt. Herbert Hurtle White, 10th Battalion Australian Infantry, was killed in action in Belgium on 28th September 1916. Buried in Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm), he was the 29 year-old husband of Stella Henrietta White, of 220a Gover Street, North Adelaide, South Australia.

[2] Pte., later Cpl. Thomas Lort Mansel Dakyns, 10th Battalion Australian Infantry. He was evacuated sick from Gallipoli on 19th September 1915 aboard the hospital ship 'Guildford Castle.' After treatment in Egypt, he was later diagnosed as suffering from heart disease and left Suez on 4th November 1915 to return to Australia.

[3] 'Daily Herald' (Adelaide, South Australia), 6th August 1915.
Image: 'The Observer' (Adelaide, South Australia), 14th October 1916.

"THE LATE SERGEANT H. H. WHITE.

News has been received of the death in action in France of Sergeant Hurtle H. White, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. White, Alison-street, Glenelg. He enlisted in August, 1914, and left Australia in October of the same year. He took part in the landing at Gallipoli of April 25, 1915. After five months on the Peninsula he contracted enteric fever and was invalided to England, where he remained some months. When the Australians were sent to France he joined them there, and was in the big push at Pozieres and many other charges, escaping with a few scratches. He was an all-round athlete and a particularly good runner. As a lacrosseur, he played for North Adelaide, Holdfast Bay, and Broken Hill clubs. He was always a keen soldier, and was a good rifle shot. He left a widow and two children, and was the eldest of three brothers at the front. Sergeant R. N. White, the youngest brother, is a prisoner in Germany, and Private L. W. White is with the Field Artillery in France." - from the Adelaide Chronicle 04 Nov 1916 (nla.gov.au)