Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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6977506   Sergeant Robert George (Bertie) White
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 14/10/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 156th Battalion, Parachute Regiment (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 26/09/1914
Died: 19/09/1944 (Killed in Action)
Age: 29
Summary      
Robert Graham (Bertie) White was the son of Abraham and Elizabeth White. Robert was born on the 26th May 1914. Bertie White enlisted with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers aged 16 (he lied about his age), before transferring to the, Parachute Regiment. Sergeant Robert White died when the C-47 in which he was travelling was shot down by flak on 19th September 1944.
Further Information
Robert Graham White was the eldest son of Abraham and Elizabeth White. Abraham White and Elizabeth Graham were married on 14th March 1913 in the district of Dungannon.
Robert Graham (Bertie) White was born in the Coalisland area on the 26th May 1914. He was the oldest of at least four children.
Known family: Abraham White, Elizabeth White, Robert Graham (Bertie) White (born 26th September 1914, Coalisland), Mary White (born 12th October 1915, Coalisland), Abraham White (born 25th December 1917, Benburb), Barbara White (born 23rd February 1920, Benburb).
Bertie White enlisted with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers aged 16 (he lied about his age), before transferring to the Parachute Regiment.
Unfortunately Bertie and his betrothed were unable to marry as they had intended because of the war. They had one child, Susan.
On 19th September 1944, Sergeant Robert White was part of 156 Parachute Battalion which was being parachuted into Arnhem in the Netherlands on the second day of the Battle of Arnhem.
Sergeant Robert White died when the C-47 in which he was travelling was shot down by flak. 18 men and six crew were killed in the crash. There were no survivors.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 29th September 1945: Roll of Honour
WHITE – In loving memory of Sergeant B White, 156th Battalion, Parachute Regiment, killed in action on North West Europe on 25th September 1944. Ever remembered by his sister and brother-in-law, N and F Crump, St Jean’s Cottages, Cookstown.
Bertie's name is commemorated with the Bush Flute Band, also known as the 'Sergeant White Memorial Flute Band' Bush, Dungannon, Co Tyrone.
Bertie also has relations living at the Bush, Dungannon.
Sergeant Bertie White is buried in Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery. The personal inscription of his grave reads 'No greater love have no man than to lay down his life for his friend'.
Sergeant Bertie White is buried in Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery
Sergeant Robert White is commemorated locally on Dungannon War Memorial i and also on Moy War Memorial.
Sergeant Robert White is also commemorated on a plaque in St Mary's Church in Melton Mowbray.
Sergeant Bertie White  St Mary's Church in Melton Mowbray
The CWGC record Sergeant Bertie White as the son of Abraham and Elizabeth White, formally of Moy, County Tyrone.
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Relevant Dungannon Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Moy Moy CWGC lists parents in Moy 54.447985 -6.695445
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 Airborne Assault Paradata Gives some information on Bertie White
2 Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery Photo of Bertie White's gravestone. Grave 5-B-10
3 Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery Oosterbeek Photo of Sergeant Bertie White's gravestone
4 Facebook - Our Wee Country Photo of Sergeant Bertie White's gravestone
5 Leicestershire War Memorials Project Details of Sergeant Bertie White
6 Pegasus Archive Bertie White died when plane was shot down by flak
7 Special Forces Roll of Honour Lists Bertie White as Killed In Action
8 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Sergeant Bertie White's gravestone can be purchased here
Dungannon District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2015-2023