Fred White

Story:
Fred White was born in Sixpenny Handley on 31 Mar 1885 and baptised there on 12 May 1885 the son of Frederick James White and Ann White (nee Kerly).  He lived his early life in Sixpenny Handley until by 1911 he is recorded as being based at Court Green Barracks, Hampton Court Palace, Surrey, where he was a Corporal in the 7th (Queen's Own) Hussars (Service No. 45724).  He married Rose Parker at St. Mary's Church, Teddington, Middlesex, on 9 Sep 1911.  He was posted to France and Flanders on 13 Oct 1914 and had, in time, been promoted to Squadron Sergeant Major (Warrant Officer Class 2) (New Service No. 6599).    The London Gazette dated 1 Jan 1917 announced that he had been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for devotion to duty in France.  After the war he remained in the services having been additionally awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star.   By the time of the 1939 Register he had retired from the Army and was living at 222 Elm Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, working as a Commissionaire.  His wife, Rose, died in 1943 and he went on to re-marry Winifred Mary White (nee Goddard), his late brother's widow, in Blandford, Dorset, during 1945.  Fred's death was recorded in Kingston upon Thames on 10 Mar 1958.   His brother, Ernest, also served but regrettably died during the conflict.