WHITE, Robert James Little
| Service Numbers: | Not yet discovered |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | New South Wales Imperial Bushmen |
| Born: | Condobolin, New South Wales, Australia, 22 October 1878 |
| Home Town: | Condobolin, Lachlan, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Educated in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Pastoralist |
| Died: | Killed In Action, Manana, South Africa, 12 September 1900, aged 21 years |
| Cemetery: |
Lichtenburg Municipal Cemetery, South Africa |
| Memorials: |
Boer War Service
| 1 Oct 1899: | Involvement Second Lieutenant | |
|---|---|---|
| 23 Apr 1900: | Embarked Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Lieutenant, New South Wales Imperial Bushmen, Embarked from Sydney on "Armenian" | |
| 4 Aug 1900: | Involvement Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Lieutenant, New South Wales Imperial Bushmen, Elands River | |
| 12 Sep 1900: | Discharged Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Lieutenant, New South Wales Imperial Bushmen, K.I.A. "Lieutenant White was treacherously shot ... while going to answer the white flag displayed by the Boers" |
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Lieutenant R. J. L. White, of the New South Wales Imperial Bushmen's Contingent, killed in action at Wonderfontein on September 12, was a son of Mr. J. C. White, once a well-known squatter both in New South Wales and Victoria. He was also a brother-in-law of Colonel Mackay. Before obtaining his commission with the Bushmen Lieutenant White was on the permanent staff of the First Australian Horse, in which regiment he was extremely popular. He had always been anxious to go to the war in the service of the Empire, and it was a great disappointment to him not being able to get away with the second contingent of his regiment, owing to its permanent staff being so depleted by so many of its members going to South Africa. However, his opportunity soon came, and he was accepted with the Imperial Bushmen. Lieutenant White was proving himself a capable and gallant officer. He had been recommended by his captain for helping a man under fire at the I.B.'s first engagement at Elands River, and also had been specially complimented by his general on the handling of a patrol in a dangerous situation near Ottoshoop. His bright disposition and descriptive and facile pen, which humorously made light of all the dangers and hardships of active service, made him popular with everyone. He was specially beloved by his troop, which he said he would try to lead in the path of glory— "the path of glory leads but to the grave.'' His brave death at the early age of 23 is much regretted.
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