Orders, Decorations and Medals

A scarce C.B., M.V.O., ‘Abu Klea’ group of six awarded to Major General H. S. N. White, Royal Marine Light Infantry

The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, C.B. (Civil) breast badge converted for neck wear, hallmarked 1916; The Royal Victorian Order, M.V.O., 4th class, silver-gilt and enamels, the reverse officially numbered ‘430’; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, 2 clasps, The Nile 1884-85, Abu Klea (Lieut., R.M.L.I.); British War Medal (Brig. Gen., R.M.L.I.); Coronation 1902, silver; Khedive’s Star 1884-6, minor pitting to the Egypt medal, otherwise good very fine and better (6) £1200-1500

Herbert Southey Neville White was born in 1862 and educated at Marlborough. He entered the Royal Marine Light Infantry in 1882 and served with the Royal Marine Battalion during the operations in the Eastern Soudan 1884-85; took part in the defence of Suakin (Sphinx Redoubt) from 17th June to 24th October 1884; appointed to the Royal Marine detachment of the Guards Camel Regiment in the advance up the Nile to rescue General Gordon at Khartoum; was present at the actions of Abu Klea and Abu Krou (Gubat), at the reconnaissance in force of Metamneh, and the attack on the convoy of wounded, and at all other operations in the Bayuda Desert and up the Nile; Member of the Naval Intelligence Department, December 1889 to January 1895; commanded the detachment of Royal Marines serving on H.M.S. Renown on the occasion of the visit of T.R.H. the Prince and Princess of Wales to India 1905-06 (M.V.O. 4th class, 11 March 1906). Assistant Director Naval Intelligence Department, 11 April 1909; Inspector of Royal Marine Recruiting, 1910-13; Commandant R.M. Depot, Deal, 1914-18 (C.B. Civil 1917). Major General White, who was one of only four Royal Marine officers present at Abu Klea, died on 25 February 1938.