memorial plaque
Report a Mistake- Object Number 20060218-001
- Event 1914-1919 First World War
- Affiliation --
-
Artist / Maker / Manufacturer
Preston, Edward Carter
Royal Arsenal - Date Made 1918-1920
- Place of Use Continent - North America, Country - Canada
- Category Communication artifacts
- Sub-category Documentary artifact
- Department Arms and Technology
- Museum CWM
- Earliest 1918/01/31
- Latest 1920/12/31
- Inscription (obverse/avers): HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR WILLIAM ALBERT WHITE; E.C.P.; (reverse/verso): W
- Materials Bronze
- Rank Private
- Service Component Canadian Expeditionary Force
- Unit 15th Canadian Infantry Battalion
- Person / Institution Subject, White, Private William Albert
- Measurements Thickness 0.5 cm, Outside Diameter 12.0 cm
- Caption Medals Project- White, William Albert
-
Additional Information
William Albert White was born in West Smethwick, England, on 2 January 1896. He was the son of Frank and Mary Ann White.
White was a tinsmith before he enlisted in the 30th Canadian Infantry Battalion (2nd British Columbia Regiment) in Victoria, British Columbia, on 18 November 1914. After initial training in Canada, he was shipped to England with his unit on 23 February 1915. The 30th Battalion was transported to England on three ships: SS Magentic, SS Missanabie, and SS Borderland. The Missanabie and Borderland travelled to Avonmouth, while the Magentic headed for Liverpool. All three ships arrived at their destination on 7 March 1915.
The 30th Battalion’s nominal roll does not state on which ship White travelled. Upon arrival in England, the battalion was renamed the 30th Reserve Battalion and was used to provide reinforcements to Canadian units already in the field. As a result, White was transferred to the 15th Canadian Infantry Battalion.
White was killed in action in France on 21 May 1915, during the Battle of Festubert, part of the larger Second Battle of Artois. His body was lost.
William Albert White is commemorated on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, on Vimy Ridge, in France.