Thiepval Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Joseph Henry White, known as Harry, was born at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, in 1883, the eldest of 2 sons and 6 daughters. His father Julius White was born at Marylebone, London in 1851, the son of an upholsterer, he married, May 23rd 1875 at St. Nicholas, Newcastle, Elizabeth Annie Hawe native of Northallerton, Yorkshire born 1847, she had a son of her own, Ernest born 1872. Julius was a grocer and provisions dealer, in 1881 the family was living at 1, Bentinck Crescent, Elswick on the outskirts of Newcastle, ten years later they had moved to 34, Beaumont Street. Aged 19 years Joseph Henry assisted his father in his grocery business, in 1908 he married at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Ann Craik Wood.
At the time of his enlistment in 1915, Joseph Henry (Harry) and his wife were living at Pelaw, near Gateshead, County Durham, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards as Private 16196. At the outbreak of war the Coldstream Guards were part of the British Expeditionary Force to France amongst the first British regiments to arrive, suffering heavy losses. They fought at the First Battle of Ypres in 1914 where the 1st Battalion was virtually annihilated, at Mons, Loos and on the Somme, July 1st-November 18th 1916.
Private 16196 Joseph Henry (Harry) White Coldstream Guards did not join his regiment in the field until 1916 and was killed in action September 15th 1916. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 72,246 names inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France, commemorating servicemen from the United Kingdom and South Africa who died on the Somme 1915-1918 and have no known grave. He was 34 years old.
His widow Ann received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 22, Princess Street, Pelaw, Gateshead, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Heslop’s Local Advertiser 17/11/1916 carries a notice which reads:
“Private J.H. (Harry) White, Coldstream Guards, killed in action, Sept. 15th, aged 35 years. Husband of Ann Craik, better known as Annie Graham, 22, Princess Street, Pelaw.”
Joseph Henry White is remembered at Heworth on H92.03
