Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

OBITUARY
The death of Canon A. E. White at the Herberton Hospital last Friday, at the age of 71 years, brought to a close a long and useful life, devoted to a great Ideal, and brought grief and distress to scores of people In the Herberton district who had not even heard his name three months before, but had been fired by his enthusiasm and faith to re-enter the Church in which they were brought up. Canon A. E. White came north from Forbes, New South Wales, on July 27, to takeover from Rev. Brother E. L. Dams the task of looking after the spiritual life of the children of St. Mary's Church of England School, Herberton, and leave Brother Dams free to give his whole time to the Ravenshoe and Mt Garnet districts, and the boys of St Barnabas School, at Ravenshoe. On his arrival at Herberton, he quickly took charge of the situation, and after a short survey of the town, decided that he was well able to look after the parishioners of Holy Trinity Church, as well as look after the children and assist them in their academic as well as their spiritual studies. He took over regular services in Holy Trinity Church on Sundays, giving the children his time during the week, then feeling the response of the people in Herberton, he held services on Wednesday nights and hymn practices at night, with Holy Communion several mornings a week. His eagerness to serve, his vast humanity and understanding,and his wonderful knowledge of the history of the Anglican Church and its first beginnings in the early years of the island, brought more and more people to listen to his sermons, and gather faith from his faith. He became ill about three weeks ago, and, in spite of the care of all who were associated with him he passed away three days after the anniversary of his priesthood, when he had completed his training for the clergy at Mlrfleld, England. Canon White served as a Bush Brother in Australia while quite a young man. He was sent to Western Australia before the 1914-18 war. He joined the army as a chaplain when war broke out, and served on the western front In spite of his determination to stay with his troops under all conditions, and to give his message of hope where it was most needed, he came through the war uninjured, but was badly gassed. Back in Australia after the war he was appointed Anglican Curate at Kew, where he stayed from 1920 to 1922. He was then made Rector of Broken Hill, and occupied that office until 1926. when he was made Archdeacon of Broken Hill. Shortly after, he was sent as Sector to Albany In Western Australia. In 1938 he was made a Canon of the Church. As a Canon, he was sent to Forbes, where he was Rector from 1938 to 1954. In May, I954, he was retired, but decided to come to Herberton to help the Sisters of the Sacred Advent at St Mary's. When the Canon was found to be sinking fast his only son, Lieutenant-Colonel J. F. White of the Regular Army, was sent for and he arrived in time to spend a few hours with his father.

Townsville Daily Bulletin Thursday 30 September 1954 page 2