WHITE, Albert Ernest
| Service Number: | 2832 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 27th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Barabba, South Australia, 15 July 1877 |
| Home Town: | Swan Reach, Mid Murray, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Possibly Barabba and Swan Reach, South Australia |
| Occupation: | Well sinker |
| Died: | Swan Reach, South Australia, 21 April 1931, aged 53 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Swan Reach Cemetery, Mid Murray - South Australia Lot 184 |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 27 Oct 1915: | Involvement Private, 2832, 27th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '15' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Benalla embarkation_ship_number: A24 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 27 Oct 1915: | Embarked Private, 2832, 27th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Benalla, Adelaide | |
| Date unknown: | Wounded 2832, 10th Infantry Battalion |
Albert Ernest WHITE
Private
Albert Ernest WHITE
Regimental number 2832
10th Battalion, AIF.
(originally posted 27th Battalion)
Albert Ernest WHITE was born at BARABBA S.A. (about 110 kilometres east of SWAN REACH ) to Mr William Edward Charles WHITE and Mrs Elizabeth WHITE on the 15th of July 1877.
As a youth Alberts family moved to SWAN REACH.
Albert WHITE enlisted on the 18th of June 1915 and on the 21st of June1915 at KESWICK he attested (swore the oath).
On enlistment Albert stated he was a well sinker and he was described as being 5’ 4 ¼” tall and weighing 137 lbs. His chest was measured as 32 ½” and 34 ½”. He was described as having a dark complexion and Brown eyes and brown hair.
WHITE advised on enlistment that he was single. He was very unusual in that he was accepted for active service at 42 years and 11 months of age. Albert completed his training at the MITCHAM Camp.
Originally he was posted to the 27th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement but after arrival in Europe he and others were later changed to the 10th Battalion. He was allocated regimental number 2832.
Albert and the others in his unit embarked from PORT ADELAIDE on board His Majesties Australian Troopship (HMAT) A24 Benalla on the 27th of October 1915.
With the 10th Battalion in France and Europe, Albert and the other men would sure have missed AUSTRALIA especially in the cold and wet season!
On the 6th of May 1917, Private Albert WHITE was in the trenches when an enemy bombardment was commenced. During this bombardment and increased enemy fire, Albert was severely wounded in the Right thigh area.
Albert was evacuated to the Hospital ship, HMHS NEWHAVEN and eventually to Colechester military hospital on the 15th May 1917. Alberts wound was deemed so serious he was to be sent back to Australia for medical discharge.
On the 1st day of November 1917 Albert was transferred onto Hospital Ship “Auchises” and embarked travelling to Australia.
On the 15th of January 1918 Albert WHITE was discharged from the army at the 4th Military District HQ at KESWICK.
Albert was later awarded the 1914/1915 star, The British war medal and the Victory medal.
Not much is listed of Albert after he returned to Swan Reach from war. Albert was present on Tuesday the 17th of February 1919 when the SWAN REACH Community honoured him and the other returned servicemen at the Community Hall with a dinner and dance.
Albert WHITE died on the 21st day of April 1931 at the age of 53 years old.
Like so many returned men (almost 50%) he died within 20 years of returning from war.
He was buried at the Swan Reach Cemetery in plot 184 which, sadly, never appears to have been marked with a headstone or plaque.
On Saturday the 14th of June 2025 the “Headstone Project” held a ceremony for Albert WHITE unveiling a headstone on his previously unmarked resting spot.
The Headstone Project stated that their “mission is to ensure that all our World War 1 veterans have their last resting place marked so that their service is remembered forever.”
In doing so they help us hold to and keep our promise that “WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.”
LEST WE FORGET
Submitted 14 June 2025 by N. Campbell
Click images to start slideshow.