Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Seven: Major W. H. White, Royal Irish Regiment, who was killed in action near St Eloi on 14 February 1915

India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Samana 1897 (Lieut. W. H. White 2d Bn. Ryl. Ir. Regt.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Wittebergen, Belfast (Capt. W. H. White. 1/Rl. Irish. Rgt.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Capt. W. H. White. Rl. Irish Rgt.); 1914-15 Star (Major W. H. White, R. Ir. Regt.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major W. H. White.); Delhi Durbar 1911, unnamed as issued, together with related group of seven unmounted miniature medals, the earlier campaign medals with contact marks, nearly very fine, otherwise extremely fine (7) £800-£1,000

M.I.D. London Gazette 22 June 1915.

‘William Hawtrey White, 1st Batt. Royal Irish Regiment, who was killed in action on February 14th last, when gallantly leading his men in a night attack on a trench held by the Germans near St Eloi, and was mentioned in despatches, was a son of the Rev. James White, late Vicar of St Peter’s, Paddington, a member of an old Co. Wexford family. Major White entered the Army in 1892, took part in operations on the North West Frontier of India in 1897-8, receiving the medal with two clasps. He served in the South African War, 1899-1902, and received the Queen’s Medal with three clasps and King’s Medal with two clasps. He married, in 1911, Muriel, daughter of Major Braddon, of Skisdon, Cornwall.’ (Our Heroes, Supplement to Irish Life, September 24th, 1915, refers).

White is buried in Dickebusch Old Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Sold with portrait photograph of Major White wearing the first three medals; his riband bar for the pre-Great War awards; and a contemporary newspaper cutting from the Morning Post.