12272 Private Harry White
D Company
7th(Service)Battalion
York & Lancaster Regiment
29th December 1915
Born in 1895 in St Johns Park Sheffield, he was baptised on 11/08/1897.
His parents were John Henry White (1873-08/11/1945) and Betsy McCabe (23/01/1876-30/09/1953). They were married
on 21/06/1896.
Harry had 3 brothers, John Henry (02/10/1899-30/12/1950), Albert ( born in 1905) and Harold (born on 20/03/1911).
He also had 4 sisters, Nellie (born in 1896), Emily (born on 09/03/1903), Sarah Ann (26/12/1906-1990)
and Alice (18/08/1908-1993).
In the 1901 census, the family were recorded as living at 4 South Street, Sheffield and John snr. was employed as a labourer.
By the time of the 1911 census , they family had moved home and were now living at 6 Gilbert Street Sheffield. John snr.
was now employed as a mill hand and Harry had started work as a butchers errand boy.
When war broke out at the start of August 1914, it wasn't long before Harry enlisted on 31/08/1914 in Sheffield.
He had a medical the same day, details as follows;
Apparent Age 19 years 8 months
Occupation Labourer
Height 5ft 10 inches Weight 10st 6lbs
Chest Measurement - Girth when fully expanded 35 inches, Range of expansion 2 1/2 inches
Complexion Medium, Eyes Grey, Hair Brown
Physical Development & Pulse rate Good
Religion Church of England.
On 08/09/1914 Harry was posted to the 7th(Service)Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment.
During his training, Harry had several disciplinary issues, on 17/04/1915 he was found to be absent from tattoo till 10.45pm
18th instance, a total of 1 day 45 minutes. He was awarded 5 days confined to camp on 19/04/1915.
On 30/04/1915, he was absent from 06.30am parade and was awarded 1 days confined to camp the same day.
Harry was awarded another 5 days confined to camp for being absent from tattoo on 02/05/1915.
With his regiment, Harry arrived in France on 13/07/1915. He was killed in action on 29/12/1915.
He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.
Sheffield Evening Telegraph – Tuesday 11 January 1916
White – Private Harry White, beloved son of John Henry and Betsy White of 6 Gilbert Street, Park, aged 19, killed in action
in France on December 29. 1915.
Sweet is the memory of one we loved.
Sheffield Evening Telegraph – Friday 29 December 1916
White – Pte. Harry White, killed in action Dec. 29, 1915.
If I could have raised his dying head,
And on my breast to hear his last farewell,
The parting would not have been so hard.
For those that loved him so well
-From Mother, Father, Brothers and Sisters