Photo: Jack Turton
In St. Mary's Churchyard Coxhoe, is a family headstone for White which reads:
In
Loving memory
Of
Thomas
The beloved husband of
Sarah White
Of Coxhoe
Who died April 31st 1899
Aged 48 years
Also son of the above
Thomas Urwin White
Who died Jan. 9th 1904 aged 8 years
Also son of the above
Charles Gordon White
who was killed in action
June 3rd 1918
Aged 28 years.
Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
Charles was born at Tursdale on February 1st 1890 then later baptised on February 19th 1890. His parents were Thomas and Sarah (nee Barraclough) known as Sally (died 1916). The couple married in 1887 and went on to have 5 children although one died. His siblings were James, Robert Joseph, John George and Thomas Urwin.
On the 1901 census their father had already died. There was only son, James aged 15 who was working as a driver in the coal mine below ground. The other children were all at school. At that time their home was at West Hetton Row.
Charles married Beatrice Ellen Santon on 13th March 1909. Sarah Ann their daughter was born June 18th 1909. They had several children later but only Sarah Ann survived.
By 1911 the family were living at West Terrace Coxhoe. Charles is working as a trolleywayman at the colliery. Also living with them was his wife’s brother George and sister SuseHanah. George was a coal putter.
Charles attested for service at Deaf Hill Colliery September 1st 1914 soon after war broke out. He joined at Newcastle on September 2nd 1914. His records show him to be 5’7” tall, with a dark complexion, blue eyes and dark brown hair. His physique was described as spare but muscular. He gave his faith as Church of England. His trade was a coal miner.
On May 18th 1915 he was originally posted to 5th Reserve Brigade, Athlone then had several later postings for the next couple of years.
On September 15th 1915 Charles was serving with 460th Howitzer Battery and was posted with his regiment to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. By October 7th 1915 he was at Gallipoli.
Fortunately, he was not there too long before embarking at Gallipoli in January 1916 en route to Port Suez. In March 1916 he was at Metras, Egypt then later embarked at Alexandria for Marseilles.
Charles was transferred from 460 Battery, RFA to 15th Brigade Royal Horse Artillery on September 13th 1916.
On April 10th 1917 he was admitted to hospital before returning to base on April 20th 1917. Although the actual dates are uncertain it seems he was accidentally wounded May 5th 1917 with a slight gunshot wound to neck. Admitted to 6th Stationary Hospital, Frevent before being transferred to another hospital for further treatment.
A report was issued to investigate the accident although few details are available. It was agreed by his commanding officer “so far as can be seen the man? was not to blame”
Charles was killed in action on June 3rd 1918.
It appears that at the time of Charles’ death his wife was pregnant. On August 24th 1918 twins were born posthumously. The birth was a boy named Charles Gardner and a little girl, Florence. There is a certificate showing that baby Charles had been born prematurely and only lived for 8 days. It is probable the same fate met his sister as she died at the same time. There was also another baby, Ellen born 1913 but sadly she died in 1914.
His wife remarried Charles Murray in 1919 and went on to have further children with him.
A pension of 20s 0d was paid for herself and 1 child as from December 23rd 1918.
Medals :- 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Charles Gordon White is remembered at Coxhoe on C103.01, C103.02 and C103.08 and at Tursdale on T62.02
