British Campaign and Gallantry Medals

Six: Major Richard Herbert White, Indian Army, killed in action, Burma, 20 January 1944

India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1930-31 (Lt., 2-9 Jat R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; War and Indian Service Medals, these unnamed, mounted court style for wear, nearly extremely fine (6) £400-500

Richard Herbert White was born in Penzance, Cornwall, on 6 February 1908, the son of John Henry and Winifred Louise White, latterly of St. Helier, Jersey. He was educated at Victoria College, Jersey and the R.M.C. Sandhurst. He was commissioned into the 9th Jat Regiment on 2 February 1928. Arriving in India in March that year, he was posted to the 2nd Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment for 12 months prior to taking up his posting with the Jats. He gained his Instructor’s Certificate at the Army Signalling School at Poona during 1929 and in February 1930 was appointed Signalling Officer for his battalion. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 2 May 1930 and participated in operations against dissident tribesmen, August-December 1930, his battalion being part of the Khajuri Force commanded by Major-General J. F. S. D. Coleridge (Medal and clasp). In 1933 he served for a time as Company Officer with the 10th/9th Jat Regiment and during the 1930’s attended and passed courses in small arms, physical training, army intelligence and Urdu. He was promoted to Captain on 8 March 1937. In January 1939 he became Company Officer with the 2nd/9th Jat Regiment. In January 1941 he was posted to the Staff College at Quetta, after which he was posted to Egypt as G.S.O.2 at H.Q. 6th Indian Division. In June 1942 he was given temporary command of the 3rd/9th Jat Regiment, with the rank of Acting Major; he later served as the battalion’s second in command, serving in Egypt and Iraq. In December 1943, the battalion was posted to Burma. In an action near Maungdaw, Major White was killed in action, shot by a Japanese sniper, on 20 January 1944. He was buried nearby to where he had fallen. After the war his remains were transferred to the Taukkyan War Cemetery, near Rangoon. Sold with a detailed service history and other research.