Lance Corporal George Albert White

 

George Albert White was born on 8 December 1888 in Main Street, Strabane, County Tyrone, the fourth of ten children of hardware merchant James White and his wife Matilda Anne (née Moody). At the time of the 1901 Census he was living at Bowling Green, Strabane, with his parents and seven siblings. In September 1910 he sailed for the United States with the intention of becoming a prospector in California. (His brother Samuel Ernest may have left for the US around the same time.) By 1914, however, he and his brother were back in Ireland.

White enlisted in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron between 20 and 23 November 1914 (No. UD/181 – later Corps of Dragoons No.21253). On 6 October 1915 he embarked for France with his squadron, which was then serving as divisional cavalry to the 36th (Ulster) Division.

In June 1916 the Inniskilling squadron joined with C and F Squadrons of the North Irish Horse to form the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to X Corps.

White fell ill in April 1917, suffering from 'inflammation of lymph glands inguinal'. It is probable that he was evacuated to the UK for treatment. Following his recovery he would have been posted to the Inniskilling Service Squadron's reserve camp at Enniskillen, remaining there until the end of the war.

On 18 February 1919 he was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.

He died on 14 May 1940 and was buried in the Strabane Cemetery.

 

One of White's brothers, Samuel Ernest White, also served in the war, in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron.

 

Strabane Cemetery

 

Image sourced from the Find a Grave website.

 

This page last updated 7 February 2023.