John White (1895–1917)

Lance Corporal

Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) 27371 16th Battalion

Photo courtesy Cliff Housley

John White in WW1

Photo courtesy Geoff & Jean Newbold

photo of John White

Biography
John was born in 1896 at Crich, the son of Amos and Eliza White. His father worked on Cromford Canal. He attested in June 1915 aged nineteen, an unmarried collier who was living at Buckland Hollow. On 4th August 1917 he died of his wounds and is buried at Dozinghem Military Cemetery. He is remembered on the Sawmills Memorials.

He was wounded between  31st July 1917; [which was the first day of Third Battles of Ypres –  Battle of Pilckem Ridge (31st July to 2nd August)] and 4th August when the 39th Division were relieved.  According to a report about the 16th Battalion in "The Third Ypres Passchendaele the day by day account" by Chris McCarthy:
117 Brigade attacked with 16th Sherwood Foresters and 17th King’s Royal Rifle Corps; the 16th Rifle brigade and 17th Sherwood Foresters in support, passed through.  Using stokes mortars and rifle grenades as a local barrage, they rushed and took three pill boxes at Regina Cross. Alberta, another centre of resistance also fell. ... The line from St. Julien to the Culvert was held by 116th and 117th Brigades, where they linked with 51st Division’.
Thursday 2nd  August : 39th Division – The Germans were reported to be massing in front of Kitchener’s Wood but were dealt with by artillery fire. 116 Brigade occupied the ruins of St Julien and posts were established on the east bank of the Steenbeek, northwards from the village.  
Friday 3rd August : 39th Division – A patrol of 117 Brigade penetrated as far as Maison du Rasta and Maison du Hibou.
Saturday 4 August :  39th Division relieved by 48th Division.’   
During those few days over 40 mm of rain fell.
[Steve Morse]

Medal Roll Index Card
He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.

Army Service Record
He attested 15/06/15 at Derby aged 19 years 7 months, an unmarried collier of Buckland Hollow. His height was 5ft 5in and weight 131lb. The next of kin was his father Amos White of Buckland Hollow

Ancestry Record
He died of his wounds in France & Flanders.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Name WHITE, John
Initials J
Nationality United Kingdom
Rank Private
Regiment/Service Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment)
Unit 16th Bn
Date of Death 04/08/1917
Age 21
Service Number 27371
Additional information Son of Amos and Eliza White, of Buckland Hollow, Amblegate, Derby.
Casualty type Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference II. G. 19.
Cemetery  DOZINGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY

War Graves Certificate in WW1 for John White

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/12520896/john-white

WW1 headstone for John White

27374 Lance Cpl J.White
Notts & Derby Regiment
4th August 1917 age 21

Sawmill war memorial

Sawmills War Memorial in the Village Hall

Soldiers' Effects Book
John White ; 16 Bn Notts & Derby; L/Cpl 27371; died of wounds France or Belgium 4.8.17; War Gratuity £9; paid out to:
19.11.17 mother Eliza £3 3s 2d
30.10.19 mother Eliza £9 0s 0d

CENSUS INFORMATION

1901: Millgreen, Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Amos White Head 27 Canal labourer Heage
Eliza White wife 30   Belper
John White son 5   Crich
Beatrice M White daughter 3   Crich

RG13 piece 3231 folio 7 page 5

1911: Buckland Hollow

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Amos White Head 37 Canal labourer Heage
Eliza White wife 41   Belper
John White son 15 Joiner labourer Crich
Beatrice May White daughter 13 Day nurse Crich
John White boarder (wdwr) 75 Old age pension boatman Heage

RG14PN20987 RG78PN1251 RD436 SD4 ED16 SN9

1918 Voters Register
John White, the Common, Crich.