White, Gerald

CQMS Gerald White

was born at The Mills, Limavady, Co. Londonderry on 16th May 1896  to John White, Mill Manager and Maria White (late Robertson) nee Wallace. They had married on 9th April 1891 at Myroe Presbyterian Church, Limavady.

In 1901 Gerald (4) is living in house 2, Mill Row, Limavady with his parents and 2 siblings; Jack (9) and Wallace (2).  

John White died on 5th December 1907 at Killane, Drumachose, Limavady from heart disease.

In 1911 Gerald was living in house 29, Kennaught, Limavady, Co. Londonderry with his mother and brother Wallace.  

Gerald joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1914 and is recorded as working in Head Office. His mother signed the Bankers Guarantee and gave her address as 33 Albert Terrace, Limavady. It was later to be signed by W J Wallace White (brother) and R S May (?).

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Head Office, 2 Waring Street, Belfast

Gerald volunteered and enlisted in the Machine Gun Corps (Tanks) as per the Belfast Bank 'Roll of Honour' photograph above and the Belfast Bank 'Roll of Honour' booklet below.

Belfast Bank 'Roll of Honour' Booklet

A Medal Index Card exists for a Gerald White who was a Private in the Tank Corps with Service Number 75662. A later transfer to the 14th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles with Service Number 14/19319 and rank as Colour Sergeant (CQMS) is annotated on the MIC. His first theatre of war is recorded as from 5th October 1915 to France.

Gerald White - Medal Index Card

Following demobilisation, Gerald was awarded the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and the British Victory Medal.

Gerald White - Medal Roll

The Londonderry Sentinel of 2nd April 1929 reports G White playing golf for the Belfast Bank, Derry at Castlerock Golf Club.

The Frontier Sentinel of 13th January 1940 reports G White, Belfast Bank, Newry as being at a meeting of the Irish Bank Officials' Association.

Belfast Bank, Newry branch

Whilst working in Newry, Gerald was elected to the Kirk Session of Newry Presbyterian Church.

The Frontier Sentinel of 4th September 1943 reports that Mr Sidney White, son of Gerald and Mrs White, Belfast Bank House, Newry has been promoted from Radio Officer to Second Radio Officer in the Merchant Navy.

Gerald was transferred to Londonderry branch as manager circa 1946 and is recorded in the 1956 annual accounts of the Belfast Banking Company as being manager of Londonderry branch. 

Belfast Bank, Londonderry branch

Gerald White retired in 1957 and died on 14th September 1966.