Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1916 ‘Somme’ M.M. group of four awarded to Private G. White, 12th Australian Machine Gun Company, Australian Imperial Force, for his gallant conduct as a runner at Pozieres, 5 - 15 August 1916

Military Medal, G.V.R. (2032 Pte. G. White. No. 12 Coy. Aust: M.G.C.) minor edge bruising; 1914-15 Star (2023 Pte. G. White. 4 F. Anb. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (2023 Pte. G. White. 4/F. Amb. A.I.F.) mounted for display, scratch to obverse of BWM, otherwise generally very fine or better (4) £800-1000

M.M. London Gazette 16 November 1916. The original recommendation states:

‘Pte. White was conspicuous for continuous good work and devotion to duty at Pozieres while employed as ‘runner’ from 5th - 15th August. The man performed his duties without a rest and without once failing to deliver all messages through the very heavy enemy barrages.’

George White was born in Belfast, Ireland, in 1893. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, at Melbourne, 2 October 1914. He disembarked at Egypt in September 1915, and was hospitalised with a sprained ankle. White initially served with the 4th Field Ambulance, Australian Army Medical Corps, before transferring to the 45th Australian Infantry Battalion in 1916. He transferred to the 12th Australian Machine Gun Company, 30 May 1916, and served with them as part of the 4th Australian Division in the French theatre of war.

White was awarded his M.M. for gallantry in operations on the Somme, in particular as a runner at Pozieres, 5 -15 August 1918. He was also tried by Court Martial on four occasions. White returned to Australia in H.T. Shropshire, and was discharged in 1919.