Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Ernest White, a printer and compositor, born 1867 in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire, and his wife Rose Fanny White (nee Burnage, married in the 3rd quarter of 1888 in the Luton, Bedfordshire district), born 1869 in Campton, Bedfordshire. Ernest William was born in the 4th quarter of 1891 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Hilda May, born 1890, Olive Stella Nellie, born 1894, Cecil Bertram, born on the 9th March 1898 and Herbert Samuel, born 1900, all his siblings were born in Melton Mowbray, in March 1901 the family home was at 3, Union Street, Melton Mowbray. In April 1911 Ernest was employed as a butcher and was residing in the family home at 95, Saxby Road, Melton Mowbray, together with his father, a compositor, his mother and siblings, Hilda, a spinner, Olive, a spinner, Cecil, a schoolboy, Herbert, a schoolboy and Doris Clara, a schoolgirl, born 1902 in Melton Mowbray. In the 2nd quarter of 1915 Ernest married Violet May Farr in the Luton, Bedfordshire district. In the 4th quarter of 1918 Ernest’s widow married Frederick Chalk in the Luton, Bedfordshire district, they resided at 142, New Town Street, Luton, Bedfordshire. Ernest’s younger brother Cecil Bertram died of wounds received in action.
The War Diary records: 3-6 Oct-17 - In front line. The Battalion formed up for the attack by 4.30pm on the 4th instant (See Narrative of operations (East of POLYGON WOOD attached). The following casualties occurred during the operations:- Officers, killed in action, Lt. (Acting Captain) T. D. PARKES, 5th October, 2nd Lt. M. H. PHILIPS, 4th October, 2nd Lt. C. TEAGUE, 4th October. Wounded, Lt. L. WOLVERSON, 4th October, Lt. A. J. C. CULHANE, 4th October, 2nd Lt. F. H. SLINGSBY, 4th October, 2nd Lt. T. M. LEECE, 4th October, 2nd Lt. L. H. LYCETT, 4th October, 2nd Lt. G. H. FARMER, 5th October, 2nd Lt. D. S. GLAZE, 4th October, remained at duty. Other ranks, killed in action 36, wounded 223, missing 49. The Battalion was relieved on the 6th instant by the 8th DEVONSHIRE REGT and moved back to dug outs west of ZILLEBEKE LAKE. Relief was complete by 10.45pm. List of Awards are shown in the appendix.
NARRATIVE OF OPERATIONS EAST OF POLYGON WOOD 4th – 6th OCTOBER 1917
[1] The Battalion was formed up on the tape in attack formation by 4.30am. The forming up passed off without incident being carried out one section at a time, commencing at 1.00am. There was a good deal of shelling over the whole of the POLYGON WOOD area throughout the night but little damage was done.
[2] The attack commenced at zero (6.00am) and from the start progressed steadily according to timetable, comparatively little opposition was met with. The right flank of the attack came under considerable machine gun fire and suffered considerably, otherwise casualties were light. A large number of Germans were shot and bayoneted, none of the pill boxes encountered gave much trouble.
[3] As soon as the 22nd Battalion MANCHESTER REGT had passed through, the work of consolidation commenced. Two zones were put into a state of defence. (a) JOLTING HOUSE TRENCH, (b) trench running from J.5.c.65.10 to J.11.a.5.4. Both these lines gave an excellent field of fire eastwards. A strong point for 2 Lewis guns and 20 riflemen was established about J.11.b.3.2. This strong point had an excellent field of fire in all directions and proved an invaluable pivot for the right flank.
[4] Towards 1.00pm the enemy opened a stiff barrage of medium and light guns on the area between THE MOUND and JOLTING TRENCH. This barrage continued with varying intensity throughout the afternoon and evening.
[5] At 2.00pm I went round the line. The situation appeared entirely satisfactory, consolidation was making good progress. Touch was close with units on both flanks. The situation on the BLUE LINE appeared to be quiet.
[6] At 3.30pm the 2nd Battalion QUEENS ROYAL WEST SURREY REGT arrived at THE MOUND. As they had lost their Commanding Officer, I assumed command of them and ordered them to dig in, in artillery formation in POLYGON WOOD and await orders.
[7] At 4.30pm I received news from several sources that the situation on the right was likely to give trouble. The Brigade on the right was reported to be in an unstable condition.
I therefore took the following steps:- (a) Readjusted my own line so as to have my greatest strength of men and Lewis guns on my right, with a field of fire southwards. (b) Disposed of the 2nd QUEENS ROYAL WEST SURREY REGT as follows:- Two Companies to form a defensive flank facing south along the JOLTING HOUSES RIDGE. One Company allotted to the Officer Commanding 22nd MANCHESTER REGT to fill the gap between the RED LINE and the BLUE LINE in J.11.b. One Company in reserve in JETTY TRENCH.
[1] The night of the 4th/5th passed without incident except for some heavy shelling of the RED LINE area. Some work was done by the ROYAL ENGINEERS on strong points on the right flank.
[2] On the morning of the 5th. I went up to reconnoitre the situation on the right. Considerable elements of the 21st Division were dug in on the RENTEL RIDGE, but appeared very mixed up and disorganized. I made some adjustments in my own line, the most important being the placing in correct position of a Company of the 2nd QUEENS ROYAL WEST SURREY REGT. The latter who should have formed one of the defensive flank Company’s had lost its way in the dark and spent the night in JOLTING TRENCH. Sniping from JUDGE COPSE and machine gun fire from POLDERHOCK were becoming very troublesome and causing considerable casualties.
[3] Heavy shelling commenced later in the day on the whole of my area and continued intermittently throughout the night of the 5th/6th.
[4] The 6th passed off comparatively quietly. The Battalion was relieved without incident by the 8th DEVONSHIRE REGT on the night of the 6th/7th. Sketch of dispositions as handed over are attached.
[1] RESULT OF THE ATTACK:- (a) An advance of 800 – 900 yards on a front of 450 yards. (b) Many Germans killed, estimated 150. (c) 80 – 100 prisoners sent down by our men. A number more were poached by other units. (d) 3 Light machine guns, and 6 medium trench mortars were captured. (e) Casualties, Officers, killed 3, wounded 7. Other ranks, killed 36, wounded 223, missing 49.
[2] LESSONS OF OPERATIONS:-
[a] At least 200 shovels should be provided for each Battalion for consolidation. They should be dumped at Battalion HQ and sent up about an hour after zero. In addition 25 per Company should be taken into the attack.
[b] Sandbags should always be provided. Two per man should be carried and a dump of 2000 be supplied for Battalion HQ.
[c] Two officers should be employed with HQ for intelligence purpose’s, one should go forward with a telephone, signalers, scouts and runners and keep Battalion HQ informed of the general progress of the attack and the position of Companies. The other should be kept in reserve at Battalion HQ and should be sent forward on special patrols to clear up the situation of other units on the flanks and in front (when leapfrogging tales place).
[d] Infantry should be warned when the gunners intend to put down practice barrages. The enemy retaliates heavily and many unnecessary casualties occur to working parties etc. who should be kept under cover if warning was given.
[e] SOS signals should only be carried by officers. Many SOS signals were sent up quite unnecessarily, others were repeated from units miles away on the flanks. The result was, our barrage was put down and the enemy retaliated, consolidation was hindered and unnecessary casualties caused.
[f] There should be two signals, one SOS, the other, retaliation. As it is, some units put up SOS signals whenever they are shelled.
IMMEDIATE AWARDS – IN THE FIELD – SUNDAY 28th OCTOBER 1917
Under the authority granted by His Majesty the King, The Field Marshall Commanding in Chief has awarded the following Decorations to the under mentioned Officers and other ranks for gallantry in the field on the dates stated:-
BAR TO THE DISINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER
Lt. Col. A. B. BEAUMAN D.S.O. 4/10/17
THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER
Captain L. L. HASSELL M.C. 2-3/10/17
THE MILITARY CROSS
Captain F. A. KENDRICK 4-6/10/17
Lt. L. WOLVERSON 4/10/17
Lt. & -?- Mr C. C. WARDLE 4/10/17
2nd Lt. G. A. C. SHEFFIELD 4/10/17
Captain E. L. SCOTT, ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS., attached 4/10/17
2nd Lt. G. J. R. LANSDELL 4-6/10/17
THE DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL
No.9264 A/Sgt A. WHEATLEY 3-6/10/17
No.25745 A/Cpl J. CROWTHER 3-6/10/17
No.11271 A/Sgt S. ROBINSON 3-6/10/17
No.13002 Sgt J. EADES 4/10/17
Under authority granted by His Majesty the King, the Corps Commander has awarded the following Decorations to the under mentioned NCO’s and men for gallantry in the field on the dates stated:-
BAR TO THE MILITARY MEDAL
No.40062 Sgt J. GROCOTT 4/10/17
No.32511 Pte A. BRADFORD 3-6/10/17
No.10547 Pte H. TRUMPER 3-6/10/17
No.8909 Pte W. CRAWFORD 3-6/1017
THE MILITARY MEDAL
No.6638 Pte H. P. HILL 3-6/10/17
No.6917 A/Sgt G. SWIFT 3-6/10/17
No.8479 A/CQMS T. BILLS 3-6/10/17
No.11417 Cpl E. PARTRIDGE 3-6/10/17
No.7106 Cpl E. BROCKHURST 3-6/10/17
No.31768 Pte T. RUTTER 3-6/10/17
No.32635 Pte F. MATTHEWS 3-6/10/17
No.19245 Pte J. HUMPHRIES 3-6/10/17
No.19517 L/Cpl G. UNDERHILL 3-6/10/17
No.24245 Pte G. CLARK 3-6/10/17
No.6593 L/Cpl S. MANTLE 3-5/10/17
No.40879 Pte T. FRANKUM 3-6/10/17
No.15313 Pte J. WARD 3-6/10/17
No.11300 L/Cpl O. STOKES 3-6/10/17
No.12531 Pte W. MYNER 3-6/10/17
No.40054 Pte H. MASON 3-6/10/17
No.9385 Pte H. SKIDMORE 3-6/10/17
No.12927 Pte A. POWNEY 3-6/10/17
No.9419 Pte E. S. TITLEY 3-6/10/17
The Commanding Officer wishes his congratulations conveyed to the recipients.
On Friday October 26th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR” – LOCAL SOLDIERS KILLED. On Friday morning Mr and Mrs W. White, 95, Saxby Road, Melton Mowbray, received a letter from Pte. S. C. Skeggs, South Staffordshire Regt., informing them that their eldest son, Pte. Ernest William White, had been killed. After expressing regret at having to write such news he said: “The Corporal has just brought in the parcel which you sent to Dick, and has shared it out between his chums. Well I am informed that your dear son was killed in action on Oct. 4th I have not written to his wife, as I did not know her address, and for another thing I did not like the idea of writing bad news like this. When you let his wife know, will you tell her his chums sympathise with her in her sad bereavement. We all got to know him so much that we sadly miss him. I trust God will help her in her time of sorrow, I will do all I can at any time if it lays in my power.” Pte. White was 25 years of age, and for some years was in the employ of the late Mr T. Littlewood, butcher, Melton. He left the town about six years ago to take up a situation at Luton, where his widow and little son are now living. Deceased enlisted in the Essex Regt., last Easter, and visited Melton last July whilst on final leave before going out to France. His brother Cecil is serving in France with the Royal Naval Division, and another brother, Bert is a wireless telegraphist in the Royal Navy, and is stationed at Malta.
On Friday October 4th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – IN MEMORIAM. WHITE. – In loving memory of our dear son, Pte. E. W. White (Dick), 1st South Stafford’s, killed in action in France, Oct. 4th, 1917.
Always happy and cheerful.
With a heart that knew no fear.
He stood to face life’s battles.
For those he loved so dear.
From his loving Mother, Father, Sisters and Brother Bert (Royal Navy).
95, Saxby Road, Melton Mowbray.