The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Company Sergeant Major D U A H S White

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FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH

Photograph by "Leonid Mendelzon"

Company Sergeant Major Douglas Ughtred Archibald Harold Sturlev WHITE, 200238, (TF/1474), 2nd / 4th Battalion,  Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, died of pneumonia, at No.76 Clearing Station, Ludd, Egypt, 8th October 1918, age 34.

2nd July 1884, born Sellindge, Ashford, Kent, only son of the late James White by his wife Clara Blanche Annie, (daughter of Alfred Verrall, of Mayfield, Sussex), Willesborough near Ashford, Kent.

Educated at Sellindge, Ashford, Kent.

Resided Sevenoaks, Kent. Late of G.P.O., Sevenoaks, Kent. Served 19 years in Post Office.

1st February 1909, Christ's Church, Folkestone, Kent, married Lizzie Mabel March, (daughter of the late Sergeant Charles March), of Malcolm Terrace, Golding Road, Sevenoaks, Kent.

1911 Census - 52 Bethel Road, Cobden Road, Sevenoaks, Kent - Douglas White, head, age 26, married, postman, GPO, worker, born Sellindge, Kent; Lizzie White, wife, age 23, married 2 years, no children, born Riverhead, Kent.

Children - Dorothy Ethel Annie White, born 10th November 1912.

9th August 1915, posted Balkans Theatre of War.

1907, joined 5th Battalion, The Buffs; 5th March 1913, transferred to 4th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 4th August 1914, called up on mobilization; served with his Regiment in Gallipoli from August 1915, being present at the landings at Sulva Bay, and was promoted Sergeant on the Field on the 23rd August; served in Egypt after the evacuation, and subsequently with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in Palestine, where he saw much fighting, taking part in the fighting at Gaza and at Jerusalem 8th December 1917; 18th January 1918, was wounded and sent to hospital; on recovery rejoined his Regiment on the 4th July 1918; was recommended for a commission, bur before his papers could be passed he died.

His Commanding Officer wrote: "He was a good soldier, being loved and respected by all his men, and what a great loss he is to his country, after all of his services! and another officer: "He was a most trustworthy soldier, and help lighten the work of his officers." The Adjutant also wrote(before he left the Battalion and during Sergeant Major White's lifetime) : "I am just writing to thank you for all you have done for me during the last few weeks. It is the Sergeant Major who can, as he likes, make the work of the Adjutant heavy or light. You made it light, always getting at the work to be done, and doing it."

Buried at Ramleh War Cemetery, CC. 25., Israel. Commemorated on Sevenoaks War Memorial.

External link to Sellindge War Memorial