WHITE, John

DIVISIONAL UNIT:        1st Canadian Infantry Division
                                             3rd Infantry Brigade
                                             13th Battalion – Quebec
                                             Canadian Infantry Corps        
SERVICE NO:                   426972
DATE OF BIRTH:            November 9, 1895
                                             Goderich – Goderich Township – County of Huron - Ontario
DATE OF DEATH:           September 4, 1916               20 years     10 months
PARENTS:                         Mr. John and Jame White – Clinton - Ontario
SISTER:                              Miss Maggie White – Benmiller - Ontario
MEMORIAL:                    Vimy Memorial – Vimy –
                                             Pas de Calais - France
Occupation:                        Farmer                                  Religion:     Methodist
Enlistment:                         March 23, 1915 – Estevan - Saskatchewan
Enlistment Age:                 19 years     4 months

Private White embarked from Canada on October 21, 1915 and arrived at Devonport onboard the SS Lapland on 
October 30, 1915. He then went overseas into France and taken on the nominal roll of strength of the 13th Battalion on June 17, 1916 and joined them on June 19th.
The morning of September 4th began dull and showery but as the day progressed the weather improved.
The heavy enemy shelling continued into the day onto the front lines and support areas.
The Battalion also had to deal with a very heavy enemy counter-attack but managed to work up 55 and 59 and make it into a pretty fair trench.
By noon the Battalion had taken casualties…..16 killed and 64 wounded.
No. 1 Company bombed down the enemy communications trenches and placed trench blocks as needed but all day up until 5 pm when they withdrew to the right they were under heavy and constant artillery fire. They withdrew because the trenches they occupied were blown in. He was not in touch with HQ because all runners were wounded or killed.
No. 2 Company fought off an enemy attack that originated at Moquet Farm.
No. 4 Company occupied the quarry and patrolled various trenches.
The men in the forward areas were isolated and food and rations could not be brought forward to them.
By the end of the day it was deared that the casualties for the Ordinary Ranks would be close to 150 men.
Private White was killed in action performing his duties on this day of fighting the enemy.