Orders, Decorations and Medals

The very fine Great War Victoria Cross group of ten awarded to Lieutenant W.A. White, Machine Gun Corps, for most conspicuous bravery in France 1918

VICTORIA CROSS, reverse of suspension bar engraved (T/2nd Lt. W.A. White, 38th Bn. M.G. Corps), reverse centre of the cross dated '18.Sep.1918'; BRITISH WARAND VICTORY MEDALS, M.I.D. (2. Lieut.); TERRITORIAL FORCE WAR MEDAL (2.Lieut., M.G.C.); DEFENCE AND WAR MEDALS, privately named (Capt., V.C., R.A.); CORONATION 1937; CORONATION 1953; EFFICIENCY DECORATION, Territorial, E.II.R., the reverse officially dated '1956'; TERRITORIAL EFFICIENCY MEDAL, G.V.R. (1292Sergt., 4th K.O. Rl. Regt.) this last re-engraved, generally very fine (10)

V.C., London Gazette, 15 November 1918: 'For most conspicuous bravery and initiative in attack. When the advance of the infantry was being delayed by an enemy machine gun, he rushed the gun position single handed, shot the three gunners and captured the gun. Later, in similar circumstances, he attacked a gun accompanied by two men, but both the latter were immediately shot down. He went on alone to the gun position and bayoneted or shot the team of five men and captured the gun. On a third occasion, when the advance was held up by hostile fire from an enemy position, he collected a small party and rushed the position, inflicting heavy losses on the garrison. Subsequently, in consolidating the position by the skilful use of captured enemy and his own machine guns, he inflicted severe casualties on the enemy. His example of fearless and unhesitating devotion to duty under circumstances of great personal danger greatly inspired the neighbouring troops, and his action had a marked effect on the operations.'

William Allison White was born at Mitcham, Surrey on19 October 1894, the son of Samuel and Elizabeth White. He was educated at Salter's Hill School in West Norwood and the Technical College at Barrow-onFurness, Lancashire. He joined the Territorial Army as a Private in the 4th Battalion, King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment in February 1910, being discharged on the termination of his tour as a Machine Gun Sergeant in February 1916. He immediately joined the Machine Gun Corps as a Staff Sergeant Instructor, being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on 26 June1918. He won his V.C. with the 38th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps, at Gouzeaucourt on 18 September 1918 and received his award from the hands of the King at an investiture held at Buckingham Palace on 27 March 1919. His was the fifth V.C. to the Machine Gun Corps and, as his citation makes plain, one of the finest. His extraordinary fearlessness in a series of hand to handfights against enemy machine gun positions epitomized what The Times was apt to term the actions of a 'Rusher'. William White, V.C., T.D., died at Wellington in Shropshire on 13 September 1974.