Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

William John White was born on 15 January 1896 in Toowong, Queensland, Australia. He was the youngest of four children born to James White (1862-1915) Occupation: Shearer and Rachel Cunnington (1867-1930).

William’s father was born in Jondaryan, Queensland, Australia in 1862 and his mother was born in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia in 1867. His parents married on 17 August 1887 in the residence of the bride’s father, Clement Cunnington at Toowong, Brisbane. At the time of their marriage, the groom resided in Toowoomba, Queensland.

William had two sisters, Violet Maude and Ruby May; and one brother, Edward James.

William John never married nor did he have any children.

William attended Toowong State School, between January 1901 and August 1908. After leaving school, William obtained an apprenticeship and became a carpenter before entering military service and serving in World War 1.

When he enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on 16 July 1915, William was 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) tall, weighted 154 pounds (70 kg). He had blue eyes, brown hair, a mole on his right shoulder and an appendix scar.

At the time of his enlistment, William’s family resided at Chermside Street, Tenneriffe, Brisbane.

William enlisted in Brisbane and was assigned to the 31st Battalion (part of the 8th Brigade, 5th Australian Division) and he was later assigned to the 8th Company, Australian Machine Gun Corps. William held the rank of Private and his Service Number was 118.

William’s father, James White died on 31 August 1915, a month after William joined the army.

The following chain of events was sourced from William John White’s Service Records (downloaded from National Archives of Australia website).

William departed Australia on 9 November 1915 onboard the ship “H.M.T. Wandilla” from the port of Melbourne, Victoria. He disembarked from “H.M.T. Wandilla” at Alexandria in North Africa on 7 December 1915.

On 12 January 1916, Pte W. J. White was admitted to the No 1 Stationary Hospital at Ismailia suffering from Colic. He was discharged from hospital on 15 January 1916 and returned to his unit.

On 8 March 1916, Pte W. J. White was transported by No 15 Field Ambulance and admitted P.U.O. He was transferred to No 2 Australian Stationery Hospital at Tel el Kebir.

On 9 March 1916, he was transferred to 8th Australian Machine Gun Company.

William was discharged from No 2 Stationary Hospital on 23 March 1916, to rejoin his unit (8th Aust. Machine Gun Coy).

On 16 June 1916, William embarked at Alexandria, North Africa to join B.E.F. He disembarked at Marseilles, France on 23 June 1916.

Private William John White was killed in action on 20 July 1916 in France during World War 1. He was 20 years of age when he died. At the time of his death he was posted to 8th Australian Machine Gun Company, 31st Battalion, AIF.

On the AWM Roll of Honour Circular, the place where William John White was killed is listed as Pozieres. (The information contained in the Roll of Honour Circular was provided by his mother).

But information about the Battle of the Somme downloaded from the Internet (Wikipedia.org; webmatters.net; diggerhistory.info; members.iinet.net.au; and awm.gov.au) indicates that Pte William John White was more likely killed in the Battle of Fromelles. The date of the battle at Fromelles corresponds with his date of death and the military units involved in the battle correspond with the unit he was assigned to.

William John WHITE is buried in a mass grave with 400 other soldiers at V.C. Corner, Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France and plaques were placed on a Memorial Wall. His Memorial Reference is 23.
(downloaded from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission web site).

William John White is listed on the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Australia. His name is located at Panel 179 in the Commemorative Area.

William John White was awarded three military metals: - “1914/15 Star”, “British War Medal”, and the “Victory Medal”.