S584 / 72407
WHITE, Joseph
| Service Number: | 1106 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 50th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | London, Greater London, England, United Kingdom |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Mechanic |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 27 Dec 1914: | Involvement Corporal, 1106, 10th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Themistocles embarkation_ship_number: A32 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 27 Dec 1914: | Embarked Corporal, 1106, 10th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Themistocles, Melbourne | |
| 11 Nov 1918: | Involvement Private, 1106, 50th Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by St Ignatius' College
Joseph enlisted in the army on September 14, 1914, at the age of 23. Born in Mayes, London, England, he moved to Australia at some point. He embarked on his military journey on December 21, 1914, having previously worked as a mechanic in civilian life.
Private White served with the 10th Battalion, one of the first two Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F) units to land at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915. The battalion also saw action on the Western Front at Pozieres, where they suffered heavy casualties. Despite sustaining significant injuries, Private White was able to transfer to the 50th Battalion and continue his service in Australia. The 50th Battalion played an important role in the Battle of the Somme, one of the most devastating engagements involving Australian troops, resulting in over 23,000 casualties, including 6,800 losses. Throughout his service, Private White endured numerous injuries and illnesses related to the challenging conditions of warfare, including gallstones, diarrhea, and gunshot wounds, requiring multiple hospitalisations.
After the war, in August 1919, Robert White, Joseph's father, wrote a letter to AIF headquarters requesting that his son be discharged in England so he could manage the shop "The Western Gramophone Repairing Company". According to notes and correspondence in Joseph's service record, his parents both lived in London. There is also evidence in Joseph's service record that he completed an application in September 1919 to be discharged in England. However, this request was not approved and he was repatriated back to Australia leaving England 8th October 1919.
White was offically discharged 14th July 1920.
A letter in his personnel file reveals that he returned to live in England at some stage.
(Source - NAA: B2455)