Thomas White was the youngest son of James and Mary J White. He was born on 31st August 1890. He was the youngest of at least three children, all born in the Dungannon area. Before enlisting, Thomas worked for Samuel Smith, Union Place, Dungannon. Private Thomas White was with the Labour Corps for a time. Private White was transferred to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Private White had been gassed in France on 5th June 1915. He was sent to England to recover. By February 1916, Private White was in Salonika, Greece, writing to his mother. Private White died on 28th December 1919 in France.
Further Information
Thomas White was the youngest son of James and Mary J White. James White and Mary Doogan were married on 24th November 1885 in the district of Dungannon.
Mary’s maiden name is variously spelt Doogan, Duggan and Dougan,
Thomas White was born on 31st August 1890. He was the youngest of at least three children, all born in the Dungannon area.
Known family: James White, Mary J White, James White (born 20th November 1886), Sarah Catherine White (born 14th January 1888), Thomas White (born 31st August 1890).
The 1901 census lists Thomas as age 9 living with the family at house 1 in Ranaghan, Donaghmore, Tyrone. His father, James White, was an agricultural labourer.
It seems Thomas’ father, James White, died on 23rd November 1908 in the Dungannon area, age 67.
The 1911 census does not list Thomas as living with his mother at house 10 in Beechvalley, Derrygortreavy, Tyrone. His father had died. His mother and brother worked as flax dressers.
Before enlisting, Thomas worked for Samuel Smith, Union Place, Dungannon. There were two Samuel Smith's in the 1911 census living in Union Place, one of whom was a cattle dealer.
Private Thomas White was with No. 6 Labour Company of the Labour Corps (Service No. 702990) for a time.
Private White was transferred to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
1915
Private White had been gassed in France on 5th June 1915. He was sent to the Reading Hospital in England to recover.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 7th July 1915:
Private Thomas White, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, has intimated to his relatives in Dungannon that he is at present in hospital at Reading, suffering from gas poisoning
From the Tyrone Courier dated 8th July 1915:
Private Thomas White, of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, has intimated to his relatives in Dungannon that he is at present in hospital at Reading, suffering from gas poisoning. In a letter to Mrs Samuel Smith, Union Place, Dungannon, where he was employed before enlisting, Private White acknowledges receipt of presents and states that he is recovering and hopes to be able to visit his friends in Dungannon in a short time.
From the Tyrone Courier, dated 23rd September 1915:
Private Thomas White, 4th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers returned on Thursday to Union Place, Dungannon. He had been gassed in France on 5th June last when in the trenches. His company had been directed to retire when the gas cloud was observed approaching but Private White and two comrades did not hear the command given with the result that they were rendered unconscious but were afterwards rescued. He was sent to the Reading hospital on the following day and has been undergoing medical treatment since. He is still somewhat weak from the effects of the gas.
1916
By February 1916, Private White was in Salonika, Greece, writing to his mother who was living in Beechvalley, Dungannon.
From the Tyrone Courier, dated 17th February 1916: In Salonika
Writing from Salonika, Greece, to his mother at Beechvalley, Dungannon. Private Thomas White, Royal Dublin Fusiliers says: 'Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well, hoping this will find you and James the same. This is a very cold country that I am in now – plenty of snow and mountains all round. I am back in my little dug-out once more, so you will see I have got used to underground now. I would like you to send me the Tyrone Courier and drop me a line letting me know how you all are.'
From the Tyrone Courier dated 20th April 1916: At Salonka
Private Thomas White, Dublin Fusiliers, Salonika Expeditionary Force, writing to his mother at Beechvalley, Dungannon says: 'I got the papers you sent me and am as happy as a king out here. I see by the papers, the Germans want peace, but they won't get it until we are done with them. I am always glad to get all the news from Dungannon.'
1919
Private White died on 28th December 1919.
Memorials
Private Thomas White is buried in Ration Farm Military Cemetery is about 2.5 kms south of the village of La Chapelle-d'Armentieres in France. At the Armistice it contained 73 graves. In April 1923, these graves were moved into a separate Plot VI of the present cemetery, at the request of the French authorities. The present cemetery was begun (as Ration Farm New Military Cemetery) in October 1915 and remained in use until October 1918. It was very greatly increased after the Armistice when graves were brought in from isolated sites and small cemeteries on the battlefield.
