Click on Diagram to Enlarge Rupert White's Descendant Chart
As a young boy visiting Jerilderie in the 1950's I often heard family members mentioning an Uncle Rupert WHITE who had married my great aunt Doris May HANNA. I do not recall ever meeting Rupert and Doris WHITE. I discovered later in life that they had moved to Orbost, Victoria. On tracing Rupert James WHITE I researched that he had a remarkable and distinguished life.
Rupert White was the son of James White and Annie Billman, who were married during 1894 in Jerilderie NSW. He was born on the 27 July 1895. Rupert White's occupation during his life, was recorded as grocer, navvy and as a carrier. He lived with his parents in Jerilderie Street, Jerilderie NSW. Rupert married Doris May Hanna in 1922 at Jerilderie, and they lived in Mahonga Street. This made him an Uncle by marriage to my father John Alfred Carroll HORGAN.
From my research Rupert had 1 sister and 2 brothers. Arthur W. WHITE who was born in 1899 at Jerilderie and died at Deniliquin in 1972. Emily E. WHITE was born in 1905 at Deniliquin, NSW and Thomas James WHITE who was born in about 1908 and died in Chatswood NSW during 1957.
After a distinguished war record during WW1 Rupert White returned to Jerilderie and resumed a normal life marrying Doris May HANNA in 1922. He again enlisted into the army at the outbreak of WW11. His enlistment papers show that he enlisted for Part Time ( Volunteer Defence Force ) VDC at Jerilderie NSW on 25 March 1942. He was passed fit for Class 2 service and on the 24 June 1942 was posted to the 17th Battalion stationed at Wangaratta, Victoria. He was aged 46, had no major illnesses, suffered with flat feet and had a scar on his right arm from a gunshot wound during WW1. His file also states that both his mother and father suffered with Pleurisy and at the age of 15, in 1910, he broke his right wrist. His occupation at this stage of his life was Carrier and Mail Contractor. Rupert White was again discharged from the army on 10 October 1945. The 17th Battalion was strictly raised for the defence of Australia on Australian soil.
Some time later Rupert James WHITE retired and resettled with his family from Jerilderie NSW to Orbost, Victoria. I am yet to research the children of Rupert James WHITE and Doris May HANNA, namely Maxwell and Patricia WHITE.
Rupert James WHITE died in 1969 at Boxhill Victoria aged 72. His wife, Doris May HANNA preceded him and she died in 1963 aged 62.
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Rupert White, on the left, as a young man, just prior to his enlistment into the AIF for WW1 Service. The identity of the other rwo young men is unknown.
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This photograph was taken during 1915 in Egypt when Rupert White was en route to the battlefields of France. He sailed from Sydney, NSW on the Troopship "Port Lincoln" which disembarked at Alexandria, prior to the troops re-embarking for sailing to Marseilles, France and the war. The photo is marked "Jerilderie Boys". Rupert is located on the top right hand corner. The soldier on the top left corner is Walter "Wally" Henry Beane who was born at Kensington, England. He was working as a Station Hand at Jerilderie, NSW when war broke out in 1914 and went to Warwick Farm in Sydney to enlist with Rupert White for war duty. The soldier marked L.Cox is believed to be leslie John Cox from Victoria who did not survive the war. A soldier named Charles Bailey from Sydney who was killed at Pozieres, France in 1916, took the photo. The other two soldiers are unknown.
The following information was sent to me by Norm Bailey, Nephew of Charles Bailey. It tells of the generosity of the Bailey Family to the troops, even after the war."From the context of letters Charles sent home, I feel Wally Beane, and Rupert were known to his Mother. Perhaps they were invited to stay at the Bailey residence, when on leave from camp. I am told, the Bailey home was a magnet for ex soldiers, during the depression. Kind regards, Norm. Bailey. Ps. The photo at the camp, may include Rupert and Wally. Charles wrote "Don't laugh when I tell you I am almost a professional cook, as Rup. White and I are doing the cooking for the platoon, numbering about 40. We are able to turn out some decent stews".
