Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William White, a printer and compositor, born 1867 in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire, and his wife Rosa Fanny White (nee Burnage, married in the 3rd quarter of 1888 in the Luton, Bedfordshire district), born 1869 in Campton, Bedfordshire. Cecil Bertram was born on the 9th March 1898 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Hilda May, born 1890, Ernest William, born in the 4th quarter of 1891, Olive Stella Nellie, born 1894 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 Cecil was a schoolboy 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 hosiery trade spinner, Ernest, a butcher, Olive, a hosiery trade spinner, Herbert, a schoolboy and Doris Clara, a schoolgirl, born 1902 in Melton Mowbray. His elder brother Ernest William fell in action.
Cecil enlisted on the 6th February 1917 and embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 22nd April 1917, joining his unit, the Hood Battalion on the 13th June 1917, and serving with this unit until the 26th October 1917 when he suffered a gunshot wound to his right side. He re-joined the Hood Battalion on the 4th January 1918 and served with it until the 29th March 1918, when he suffered a gunshot wound that penetrated his chest and he was admitted to the 20th General Hospital, at Dammes Camiers, where he subsequently died from his wounds on the 17th April 1918.
The War Diary records: 29 Mar-18 – ENGELBELMER. Ration state 14 officers and 386 other ranks. Battalion proceeded to MAILLEY- MAILLY. On arrival there received orders to proceed back to ENGELBELMER.
The War Diary records: 30 Mar-18 – ENGELBELMER. Ration state 14 officers and 367 other ranks. Proceeded to billets at HEDAUVILLE. In support to 2nd Division. (See Operational Order attached).
The War Diary records: 31 Mar-18 – HEDAUVILLE. Ration strength 14 officers and 409 other ranks.
Casualties for month of March 1918
Killed 3 officers, 25 other ranks.
Wounded (shell gas) 3 officers, 224 other ranks.
Wounded 1 officer, 52 other ranks.
Missing 11 officers, 240 other ranks.
Wounded and missing 4 officers, 5 other ranks.
Prisoners of War 12 other ranks.
On Friday April 12th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL SOLDIER’S WOUNDED. – Mr. and Mrs. William White, 95, Saxby road, Melton Mowbray, have received the following letter from the Records Office 63rd (R.N.) Division, dated April 1st. “In confirmation of the telegram sent you today, I regret to inform you that a report has been received this day from the War Office that your son R689 Able Seaman Cecil B. White, Hood Battalion, is reported by the Officer Commanding 20th General Hospital, Dannes Camiers, on the 4th April, 1918, as dangerously ill, suffering from a shotgun wound of the chest. I regret that permission to visit him cannot be granted. I am at the same time to express the sympathy and regret of this department. Any further information received in this office as to his condition will be notified at once to you. I am, your obedient servant, J. Simpson, Lieut. Col.” Daily bulletins received direct from the hospital show that his condition remains critical. Able Seaman White, who joined up in February last year, was formerly in the employ of Messrs. Smith, Faire, and Co., boot and shoe manufacturers, and this is the second occasion he has been wounded. His brother, Private Ernest White, of the 1st South Stafford’s was killed last October.
On Friday April 26th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL SOLDIER’S DEATH FROM WOUNDS. A fortnight ago we recorded the fact that Able Seaman C. B. White, Royal Naval Division (eldest surviving son of Mr. and Mrs. William White, 95, Saxby-rd, Melton Mowbray), was lying dangerously ill in the 20th General Hospital, Dannes Camiers, from gunshot wounds in the chest, received on April 1st. From the very outset his case was regarded as hopeless, and we regret to have to state that his injuries terminated fatally on Wednesday, April 17th. His parents were summoned by telegram to spend the last hours with him, and they also attended the funeral the following day at Etaples Military Cemetery. Deceased who was 20 years of age, joined up in February last year, and was formerly in the employ of Messrs. Smith, Faire and Co., boot and shoe manufacturers. He had been wounded on a previous occasion, and his elder brother Pte. Ernest White, 1st South Stafford’s was killed last October. Another brother, Herbert, is serving in the Navy. And in the same issue under the heading, “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – THANKS. – Mr. and Mrs. W. White and family, 95, Saxby Road, Melton Mowbray, desire to thank all friends for the kind expressions of sympathy to them in their recent bereavement.
On Friday May 17th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – The official casualty lists issued during the past week have included a very large number of Leicester’s, also of names of local men belonging to other regiments. Among them have been the following relating to this district, all being privates unless otherwise stated:- From Friday’s list:- Died of wounds: R.N.V.R. White R/689 C. B. (Melton Mowbray).