359 CSM White

'Owen', good friend of 13th Essex blog, has sent some details of this fantastic gentleman and his lengthy service to the Essex Regiment.

James White was born in Stock near Chelmsford in 1863, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth. He enlisted in the Essex Regiment on 13th February 1882, age 19 years 3 months and was a brickmaker by trade. He became a Drummer on the 3rd of May 1883.

On 13th December 1886, James White married Hannah Cornish at the Parish Church in Warley. The couple had three children James (1891) William (1893) and Lilian (1901). White was appointed Unpaid Lance Corporal Drummer 22 January 1887. He later resigned as Lance Corporal Drummer at his own request on the 28th of March the same year.


1st Battalion
White transferred to the 1st Battalion on 1.4.87 as Lance Corporal. Appointed Paid Lance Corporal 15.2.88, promoted to Corporal 24.5.88 appointed Unpaid Lance Sergeant 7.11.89, Paid Lance Sergeant 1.3.90 and promoted Sergeant on 22.6.90


3rd Battalion
Sergeant White transferred to the permanent staff of the 3rd Battalion on 1.3.90. He was promoted Colour Sergeant on 2.2.92.

South Africa 1902
Colour Sergeant White sailed on the SS Orotava with the main body of the 3rd Battalion, on the 7th October 1902. He remained in South Africa with the Battalion until returning to England on 12th February 1903.

3rd Battalion 1902-1904
Colour Sergeant White served with the 3rd Militia Battalion until his discharge 20th October1904 after 22 years and 237 days’ service.


The Great War 1914-1919
Rejoined the Regiment in 1914 and was appointed as Company Sergeant Major of B Company, 13th Battalion. Landed with the main body of the 13th Battalion 17th November 1915.


Labour Corps
CSM White transferred to the Labour Corps as 345851 in April 1917 being finally discharged on medical grounds on 14th August1918 at the age of 55.


I dont, as of yet, know what actions CSM White was involved in, but April 1917 was the fighting at Oppy Wood, alongside the 17th Middlesex, during the Battle Of Arras. Specifically, 4.40 am, 28th April, when the 13th Essex were seriously smashed up, with over 245 men killed and every officer wounded or killed.

You can only wonder at the full nature of James White's career in the Essex Regiment and of his loyal service to our country.