Name
Benjamin Josiah White
1885
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
09/02/1916
30
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
G/5381
Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)
13th Bn.
'C' Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
MENIN ROAD SOUTH MILITARY CEMETERY
I. G. 7.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
"R.I.P."
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the South Mimms memorials
Pre War
Benjamin Josiah WHITE was born in South Mimms, Hertfordshire, in 1885, son of Charles White, an Ironmonger’s Valuer and Harriet Freeman White (nee Goodwin). The eldest of their eight children.
His parents married in December 1882, in Crowland, Lincolnshire.
He was Baptised on 17th October 1886, in Barnet, Herts.
1891 Census records Benjamin aged 6, living with his Mother Harriet, three sisters, Harriet (3), Edith (2) and Juliana (1) at 4 High Road, Tottenham, Middx. His Grandmother Mary Goodwin and his Aunt Madeline Goodwin are living with the family. No Census record for his father Charles was found.
1901 Census, Benjamin (16) is employed as an Apprentice Ironmonger, he is living with his parents, six sisters and brother Charles (3) at 288 West Green Road, Tottenham, Middx. His Grandmother Mary Goodwin, Aunt Madeline Goodwin, Cousins William and Minnie Goodwin are all living with the family.
His father Charles White died before 1911. 1911 Census records Benjamin (26), employed as a Clerk at the Gas Company, living with his widowed mother, five sisters and brother Charles (13), at 142 Boundary Road, Tottenham, Middx.
Wartime Service
Benjamin enlisted at Tottenham, Middx, posted to the Duke of Cambridges Own (Middlesex Regiment) and issued with the service number G/5381. On completion of his training, he went to France on 25th September 1915. Seeing action on the Western front, he was Killed in Action on 9th February 1916, aged 30. He is buried in the Menin Road South Military Cemetery in Belgium. Grave Ref: I. G.7.
Additional Information
His mother Harriet was awarded a Dependents Pension of 5/- a week from 7th November 1916, and his effects of £7-18s-08d, pay owing and his war gratuity of £6.
His Headstone inscription. “R.I.P” was requested by his mother Harriet White.
His brother Charles White enlisted in November 1915, aged 17, and posted to the Army Reserve. He was mobilised for war service in May 1916, posted to the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) and issued with the service number 34444. Charles survived the war and was discharged on 23rd October 1919.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild