WHITE James

James White was born in Bromsgrove in 1895, the son of George and Louisa (nee Troth) White. George was a salt maker and the couple had 11 children:
Elizabeth White born 1889
Emily Louisa White born 1891
George White born 1892
Fred White born 1893
James White born 1895
Bertram White born 1897
Alice White born 1898
Frank White born 1901
Florence Mary White born 1905
Lily White born 1906
Gladys May White born 1909

James White enlisted at Birmingham on 1st January on 1st January 1914 and went to France on 21st August 1914.  Prior to enlisting he worked for a linen manufacturer at Charford Lint Mill.

Bromsgrove Droitwich and Redditch Messenger, 9th December 1916:
Private James White, Coldstream Guards, son of Mr George White, Model Cottages, Watt Close, Bromsgrove, was killed in action on September 15th.  An officer writes stating “He died fighting very gallantly, standing up in a shell hole, fully exposed, and firing with his rifle at the enemy.”  Private White worked at Charford Lint Mill before he enlisted on January 1st 1914.  He went to the front early in August 1914 and had been on active service ever since, with the exception of a week’s leave in October 1915.  He would have been 22 years of age in March next.  Three of his brothers are serving, a stoker in the navy, a sergeant on active service with the Worcester territorials and a Sapper with the Royal Engineers in Egypt.

Bromsgrove Droitwich and Redditch Messenger, 15th September 1917:
In loving memory of our dear son James White who fell on September 16th 1916
Devoted son brother and friend
One of the best that God could lend
He bravely answered duty’s call
His life he gave for one and all
But his unknown grave is the bitterest blow
None but our aching hearts can know.

James White has no known grave, the photograph available shows his name on Thiepval Memorial.