Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

LANCE SERGEANT EDWARD NEVILLE WHITE

SERVICE Nos: S7383     SX13993

Born at Oodnadatta on 27 January 1912, Edward was the son of Richard Joseph White and Hannah Josephine Casey. A farmer and grazier, Edward enlisted in 9/23 Light Horse Regiment, for part time duty, at Quorn on 30 September 1940. As a corporal in the light horse, the 29 year old enlisted in Adelaide on 8 August 1941.

On 22 September 1941 Edward was initially posted to an army artillery unit, 13 Australian Field Training Troop, at Woodside. While undertaking training at Woodside he announced his engagement to Nora Kate Healy on 22 November. In February Edward transferred to 48 Field Battery at Springfield and during the first half of 1942, the battery undertook coastal defence duties  before losing its horses and re-equipping with eight Ordnance QF 25 pounder artillery pieces. In April Edward had been attached to Motor Training School at Morphettville for a motor cyclist school. Edward completed the course which he passed as an instructor and was then promoted to Bombardier. In mid June the battery moved to Frankston, Victoria, and then on 16 November entrained for Holsworthy, New South Wales. An impending embarkation for overseas service was likely the catalyst for Edward and Nora to marry at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, North Sydney on 25 January 1943.

In February 1943, the battery moved to Queensland, and on 31 March embarked Townsville on the “Duntroon” to disembark in Port Moresby on 3 April. For the remainder of 1943 Edward undertook an Artillery Signals Course at New Guinea Force Training Centre before transferring to New Guinea Force School of Signals where he was promoted to Acting Sergeant. During June he had been evacuated to 2/9 Australian General Hospital with Whitlow, a very painful and infectious disease, of his left thumb. It would have been a very excited Edward who was informed that his son had been born on 19 October.

On 3 January 1944 Edward completed his duty as an instructor and was transferred to 13 Australian Field Regiment. The unit embarked from Port Moresby per “Ban Hong Living” on 11 January and disembarked in Townsville three days later. Throughout 1944, 13 Field Regiment undertook training on the Atherton Tablelands and remained in Australia for the rest of the war. Edward was promoted to Lance Sergeant in March. From 12 February 1945 until 14 May 1945 Edward was on leave in South Australia and would have seen his son for the first time. He returned to Queensland for the duration of the war before marching out to South Australia for discharge. He was discharged at Wayville on 4 October 1945.

Edward died on 23 November 1980, aged 68, and is buried at St. Jude’s Cemetery, Brighton.