White, Edward

Edward was born at Ashwell, Hertfordshire in the 2^nd quarter 1883, the sixth son of Thomas and Sarah (nee Bull) White.  He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell.

Edward first enlisted with the Bedfordshire Regiment, Regimental Number 6963 on 14 January 1901.  He left the regular army after a few years but remained as a reserve soldier until the outbreak of WW1.  He saw active service on the Western Front and right at the start of the War, and in September 1914 Edward received a gunshot wound to his right arm.  He then transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers, Regimental Number 22262.  In December 1916 Edward developed problems with the connective tissues of his hands and was transferred to the Labour Corps, Regimental Number 584502.  He survived the War.

Edward was awarded the 1914 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

He is commemorated on the St Mary’s Church Ashwell Roll of Honour.

Before joining the army he was a farmer’s horsekeeper.

Edward married Elizabeth Morgan at Hinxworth in the 1^st quarter 1910.  They had four children, Edward Thomas William born 20 December 1910, Horace Bertram Morgan born 19 September 1912, Kathleen Lily Elizabeth born 6 August 1914 and Eileen Mary born 10 December 1919.

Edward died in 1928 and is buried in St Mary’s churchyard, Ashwell, Hertfordshire.