Heslop’s Local Advertiser 13/10/1916
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Herbert Thomas White was born November 22nd 1892 at Felling, Gateshead, County Durham, one of 6 children he was the youngest of 2 sons and had 2 elder and 2 younger sisters. His father John White born in Ireland in 1847 and brought to England as a young boy was married February 27th 1876 at Newbottle, Houghton-le-Spring, County Durham to Martha Brown born at St. Anthony’s village, Byker, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1859.
John White in 1887 acquired from Thomas Dixon the Barley Mow public house which he renamed the Victoria Jubilee Hotel in honour of the Queen’s golden jubilee, June 20th 1887. The family were living there in 1891 assisted by Catherine Diamond (14) and Grace Earle (15) as general servants, by 1901 they had moved to St Albans Villa, Crowhall Lane, Felling. John White created a small empire of pubs in the Felling area including the Bluebell at Victoria Square and the Duke of Connaught at Felling Gate, he also served as a councillor at Felling Urban Council. When he died in 1904 aged 58, his widow Martha oversaw the running of the family interests, she remained at St. Albans Villa where in 1911 she was living with daughter Catherine (24), Elizabeth (20), Nora Isabella (15) and Monica (8) also Sarah Graham (27) their servant, son John Francis had married and was living for his own account, details as regards Herbert, unknown.
The service record of Herbert Thomas White no longer exists, one of the 70% destroyed during the blitz of WW2. He enlisted most probably as a Private and having risen through the ranks was offered a commission. He served as 2nd Lieutenant 26th (3rd Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusiliers attached to the 103rd Trench Mortar Battery, 34th Division.
The 34th Division landed in France during January 1916 and participated during the Battles of the Somme at the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, the Battle of Bazentin Ridge July 14th-17th, Pozieres Ridge July 23rd -September 3rd and at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette September 15th-22nd 1916.
2nd Lieutenant White was wounded in action, exact date unknown, and transported to the village of Steenwerck, south east of Bailleul, where the 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station was situated as of July 1916. 2nd Lieutenant Herbert Thomas White Northumberland Fusiliers died of wounds, October 4th 1916 and interred at Trois Arbres Cemetery, Steenwerck, Nord, France, grave I. B. 10. Plot I and the earlier rows of Plot II of the cemetery were made and used by the hospital until April 1918. He was 24 years old and single. Although the Heslop’s local Advertiser Memoriam notice states his rank as 2nd Lieutenant it would seem he had been promoted prior to his demise to the rank of Captain as recognised by the CWGC.
Recipient of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
His mother, who at the time of his enlistment had been living at Felling had moved prior to his demise to Coquet House, 55 Marine Avenue, Monkseaton, Northumberland where she received the communication of his death.
Herbert’s brother John Francis White also served during WW1. Prior to the war he was married at Felling, June 30th 1910 to Laura Morris born 1889 at Pelaw Main, near Jarrow, County Durham. In 1911 they were living at the Grey Horse Inn, Hill Top, Dipton, County Durham owned and run by John, licensed victualler for beer, wine and spirits. Laura gave birth to 3 children, Martha Mary Thora White, March 18th 1911, Elizabeth, January 13th 1913 and John White, July 17th 1914.
John Francis White enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, January 25th 1916, assigned to No.4 Depot Royal Garrison Artillery as Gunner 142760. February 6th 1916 he was transferred to the 47th Coy, B Block, Royal Garrison Artillery, The Castle, Tynemouth. From there he was posted to the Anti-Aircraft Depot at Abbey Wood in London, June 1917 and departed to France with the British Expeditionary Force June 26th 1917 where he served until February 19th 1918 when he was granted leave to England via Calais from the 19th until March 5th 1918.
After returning to France his health was in decline he was admitted to hospital in September 1918 and again in March 1919. After leave again to England between March 13th-April 4th 1919 he returned to his unit but was admitted to hospital in Bonn, Germany, June 2nd 1919 and September 4th until he was posted from No1 Concentration Camp in Cologne, Germany, back to Ripon, Yorkshire October 9th 1919. He was transferred to the Reserves as Class Z, November 6th 1919 allowing him to return to civilian life with an obligation that should hostilities resume with Germany he would be recalled to duty. Class Z was abolished March 3rd 1920. Recipient of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
When John Francis had departed for active service overseas in 1916 his wife was pregnant, she had given birth to a son, February 17th 1917, he was baptised Herbert Thomas White in remembrance of John’s brother.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Heslop’s Local Advertiser 13/10/1916 carries an In Memoriam notice which reads:
“Mrs. White, of Cullercoats, has received word from the War office that her son, Second Lieutenant H.T. White, previously reported wounded, died of wounds on Oct. 4th. Lieut. White was a son of the late Councillor John White of Felling.”
Herbert Thomas White is remembered at Whitley Bay on W84.01 at Felling on F32.06 and F32.19
