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.
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Robert Graham (Bertie) White was born in the Coalisland area on the 26th May 1914. He was the oldest of at least four children.
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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).
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Bertie White enlisted with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers aged 16 (he lied about his age), before transferring to the Parachute Regiment.
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Unfortunately Bertie and his betrothed were unable to marry as they had intended because of the war. They had one child, Susan.
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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.
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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.
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From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 29th September 1945: Roll of Honour
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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.
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Bertie's name is commemorated with the Bush Flute Band, also known as the 'Sergeant White Memorial Flute Band' Bush, Dungannon, Co Tyrone.
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Bertie also has relations living at the Bush, Dungannon.
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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'.
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Sergeant Robert White is commemorated locally on Dungannon War Memorial i and also on Moy War Memorial.
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Sergeant Robert White is also commemorated on a plaque in St Mary's Church in Melton Mowbray.
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The CWGC record Sergeant Bertie White as the son of Abraham and Elizabeth White, formally of Moy, County Tyrone.
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