Born at Perth, CoE. Enlisted 19 October 1914 age 25, farmer. Nok father, E.W. White surveyor of Kelmscott. Embarked at Fremantle 8 February 1915 per A47 Mashobra. Served at Gallipoli and in France in 1916 he suffered severe gunshot wound to his face, arm and thigh. His condition deteriorated and he died 14 October 1916. Buried at St Server Cemetery Rouen France. Personal effects sent to parents were: identity disc, letters, compass, purses, small wallet, metal ring and a rosary. Post humus award of Military Medal 21 October 1916. Service medals and award: MM, 1914-1915 Star, BWM and VM. Mosman Park War Memorial. Extract from Supplement No. 29854 to London Gazette 8 December 1916. Also in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No 62 19 April 1917. ‘His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the field to the under mentioned officer, No 350 Corporal Lawrence Hamill White.’ Note: he was a corporal but returned to Private at his own request. Also with the soldier’s file is a letter relayed to the family from an Australian Minister, possibly the Minister for Defense, ‘I was directed by the Honorable Minister to say it is with feelings of admiration at the gallantry of a brave Australian soldier who nobly laid down his life in the service of our King and Country….I also ask that you accept his deep personal sympathy in the loss which, not only you, but the Australian Army has sustained by the death of Private White, whose magnificent conduct on the field of battle helped to earn for our Australian soldiers a fame which will endure as long as memory lasts.’ In 1922 his father’s address was Strawberry Hill Albany and his mother was residing at Kapunda, South Australia.
