Geoffrey Wilfred WHITE

DE RUVIGNY'S ROLL OF HONOUR 1914-1918 – Part Three

WHITE, GEOFFREY WILFRED, 2nd Lieut., 6th (Reserve), attd. 10th (Service) Battn. The Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort’s Own), s. of Wilfred Walter White, of Southernhay, Fortis Green, London, N., Sub-Manager, Royal Exchange Assurance Company, by his wife, Mary, dau. of John Winder; b. Highgate, London, N., Jan. 1897; educ. Highgate School where he was a member of the O.T.C., attaining the rank of Sergt.-Major; obtained an open scholarship at Christ’s College, Cambridge, but as soon as he had entered was gazetted 2nd Lieut. 6th Battn. The Rifle Brigade 21 Sept. 1915; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from May, 1916, being attached to the 10th Battn. of his Regt., and died at a Casualty Clearing Station 1 April, 1917, from wounds received in action the previous day, when he was struck by a stray shell while going round his line, as his men were digging themselves in after a successful attack, being in command of a company at the time. Buried at Bray-sur-Somme. His Colonel wrote: “He was one of the very bravest officers I have seen, and was always doing gallant things. I can say this as I have known him since he joined, and was with him through Guillemont. I recommended him to my Commanding Officer for a Military Cross for his gallantry on this occasion. His name was sent in, but unfortunately without result. Since then he did many others; only the other day he, as Coy. Commander, was ordered to send out a patrol to find out at all costs if a place was occupied; he went himself, and during the big attack on the day he was hit everyone spoke of the splendid way he led his men. His loss is felt by us all–officers and men–very greatly.” He was good at sport, and while at school was a member of the cricket and football teams; unm.