Name
Ernest White (*1)
1893
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
07/02/1918
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
18/32178
Lancashire Fusiliers
2nd/8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY
XXVII. FF. 10.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
A SHORT LIFE, A LONG REST THE LORD TOOK HE THOUGHT BEST
UK & Other Memorials
Odsey Village Memorial, Not on the Letchworth memorials, Memorial, Steeple Morden, Cambs.
Pre War
Ernest White was born in Odsey, Steeple Morden in 1893 to Frederick White, farmer, and Mary Ann (nee Chapman).
On the 1901 Census the family parents, Abraham (born 1879, railway Wagon repairer), Ernest and Lily were living at 18 Gratton Street, Hendon, Cricklewood, London. Not found on the 1911 Census.
His father later lived at 76, Campers Walk, Letchworth, Herts.
The Soldiers Died In The Great War records Ernest as living in Steeple Morden when he enlisted in London.
Wartime Service
No Service Record was found for Ernest enlisted in the Hampshire Regiment as Private 3535 and was posted in to the 1/9 Cyclist Battalion. This Battalion was merged with two other Cyclist Battalions and converted to Infantry. Ernest was transferred in to 1/8th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, part of Lancashire Fusiliers Brigade, East Lancashire Division. On 25 Sep 1915: landed in Egypt, on 5 May 1915 : landed at Gallipoli, and on 26 May 1915 : formation became 125th Brigade, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division.
They returned to Egypt in the Evacuation of Gallipoli (28 Dec 1915). Ernest possibly joined his Battalion in Egypt at some time.
On 27 Feb 1917: landed Marseilles and proceeded to the Western Front at Ypres where they were involved in (Bite & Hold) tactics of small advances against the German positions. In Nov 1917, they moved to Givenchy, on the La Bassee Canal near Bethune. Ernest was wounded and died of his wounds on 7 Feb 1918.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £13 and arrears of £23 14s 11d was paid to Lily Hart (Sister).
The Soldiers Died In The Great War records Ernest as living in Steeple Morden when he enlisted in London.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
