Harrogate Herald - 27th January 1915
Private C White, 5942, 1st West Yorks, son of
Mrs White, of Westmoreland Passage, writing home says :
Dear Wife and Children, I received your letter, but
I have not had any tobacco since I got that little tin box with
those matches and tobacco from Tolan's - wax matches. [This would be
M Tolan & Company, of 26 Parliament Street and 15 Station
Square, Tobacconists] I got one of your last letters yesterday dated
December 4th, so it may turn up yet. I only want a bit of twist. I
have broke my day pipe, worse luck. Tell Mary, as she is the oldest,
I will give her my box to keep her handkerchiefs in, but she must
not take it out of the house - keep it upstairs; and if her dada
does not come back, she must never part with it. Of course, I am
living in hopes of being there some day, but you never know what may
happen here, and if anything does I wish George to have the pipe as
a keepsake, but I think we shall pull through all right. We are
still having wet weather here. I have sent two letters in front of
this. I had just got one off when I got yours, so you will get them
all together. I am all right; you need not worry over me. I think
this is all.
Your loving husband, Charlie
Tell Emily I will try and get her a box. I never got
my football paper. Send me a sheet of paper and an envelope in
letter when you write again.
Harrogate Herald - 3rd February 1915
Private C White sends the following letters :
Dear Wife and Children, Just a few lines to let you
know I am all right and that you need not worry over me, for I am in
the pink yet. I sent you two letters last week; you should have got
them. It is still very cold here, and the trenches are in a very bad
state. We only want a boat, and then we can row up and down to see
one another. I am sending this box for Emily. We had them sent full
of caramels. I think this is all.
Your loving husband, Charlie.
Dear Wife and Children, I received your parcel all
right, and was very pleased with it. I was dying for a bit of good
old twist tobacco, so was my pal. It saved our lives. We are blowing
our brains away now. I gave him one of the caps to keep his head
warm in the trenches at night, for it is cold. Thank Mrs Herrington
for matches, and tell George I could not get the pipe in the box, so
will send it later on. I am writing to thank the lady, but you have
not put the address on. I am putting it in the letter like this, so
if it dos not find them let me know.
Your loving husband, Charlie.
Claro Times - 5th November 1915
Private C White, 1st West Yorkshires, son of Mrs
White, [10] Westmoreland Passage, Harrogate, is unofficially
reported killed in action in France. Though the news has not yet
been officially received, there is, unhappily, no reason to doubt
its accuracy.
Private White was reservist, having served
with his regiment throughout the South African War. He had been in
France since the commencement of hostilities, and up to coming home
on leave a week or two ago, had not received a scratch. His many
friends were delighted to renew acquaintance, and he returned with
the good wishes of all for his continued immunity from misfortune.
He had not been many days back in France, however, before he fell a
victim to a German shot. The news was conveyed to his relatives by
his platoon sergeant.
Harrogate Herald - 15th December 1915
Mrs White, widow of Private Charles White,
of the West Yorks Regiment, desires us to state that she has
received the official information of her husband's death, stating
that he was killed in action on the 27th October, 1915. We announced
the sad occurrence from information received in a private letter in
our issue of November 3rd. The date of the official information is
the 7th November, 1915, received in York on the 10th November, 1915.
We publish this announcement because the communication of the
authorities has not previously been given in our columns.
SDGW
1st Battalion, Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire
Regiment)
5942 Private Charles White
Born : Christ Church, Harrogate
Enlisted : Harrogate
Died : 27th October 1915
KIA
France and Flanders
