Muchty Remembers

Born: 3 February 1882, New Barracks, Johnstone Terrace, Edinburgh.

Son of Hector Smith, Perth and Barbarella Hawkey, India, of York Place, Perth, and husband of Margaret Houston Cant, Orchard Flat, Auchtermuchty.

Army Number: S/3808

Rank: Sergeant

Regiment: 9th (Service) Battalion Royal Highlanders (The Black Watch)

Died: Killed in action, France, 25 September 1915. Age 33.

Buried: Buried at Philosphe Cemetery, Mazingarbe, Pas de Calais.

War Memorial. Church Plaque. Church Roll. Photograph. Plot IV, row G, grave 5.

On the War Memorial he appears as  Sgt H.H.White.

 

William Hector White was born at New Barracks, Johnston Terrace, St Giles Parish, Edinburgh on 3 February 1882, eldest son of Hector William White, born 1855, Ayton, Berwickshire, Colour Sergeant, Royal Highlanders (The Black Watch) and Barbarella Hawkey, born India 1865.

In 1891 William White, with his siblings Isabella, 5, born Glenmore, Edinburgh, Jessie, 3, and Barbarella, 1, both born in Perth, were living in Queen's Barracks, Perth, along with 85 other children. This was the Depot and Regimental Headquarters of the Royal Highlanders. (The Black Watch)

In 1901 Hector White, Canteen manager, Depot Royal Highlanders, Queen's Barracks, Perth, was living with his wife Barbarella and six children, including William, 19, a plumber’s apprentice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William White was married on 25 December 1907, at St Serf's Episcopal Church, Auchtermuchty, to Margaret Houston Cant, born1880, who died 1961.

In 1911 William White was living in Cupar Road, Auchtermuchty, two houses from Middleflat. Aged 29, he was married to Margaret (Houston Cant) White, aged 30. They had been married 3 years and had one living child, Hector, aged 2, born Auchtermuchty. William was a plumber. Their house had three rooms. In 1911 Hector White was listed at Queens Barracks, Perth, where he was the manager of the Regimental Institute. His wife, Barbarella White was living at 3 Balhousie Avenue, Perth, in a five roomed house, with four daughters. Four of her 12 children had died.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William Hector White volunteered only five weeks after war was declared. He enlisted at Perth, on 11 September 1914. On 12 September he was posted to 9th Battalion Royal Highlanders (The Black Watch) aged 32.  He was quickly promoted Sergeant. The 9th Battalion disembarked in France, 14 July 1915. William Hector White was killed in action on 25 September 1915, on the first day of the Battle of Loos, with two other Auchtermuchty men. He was aged 33. He was buried at Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, Pas de Calais, France, IV. G. 5.

William Hector White's parents, Mr and Mrs Hector White, were living at York Place, Perth; his wife, Margaret Houston White, was living at Orchard Flat, Auchtermuchty, Fifeshire.

 

AUCHTERMUCHTY CASUALTIES Mrs White, Orchardflat, Auchtermuchty, has received information that her husband, Sergeant Wm. H. White, 9th Black Watch, is missing, The Dundee Advertiser, 12 October 1915.

 

SERGEANT KILLED Official information has been received of the death in action of another Perth man. He is Sergeant William H. White, 9th Black Watch, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Hector White, Brighton Villa, York Place, Perth. Sergeant White, who was 33 years of age, was brought up in Perth Barracks, where his father acted as colour-sergeant of the 42nd. Deceased who was well known in Perth, was married, and his wife and three of a family reside at Auchtermuchty. He enlisted in Kitchener’s Army at the outbreak of hostilities. The Dundee Advertiser, Friday, 5 November 1915

 

Sergeant W. White, 9th Black Watch, Auchtermuchty, killed in November 1915. He carried on a plumber’s business in Auchtermuchty for a number of years. Sergeant White left a widow and three children. Fife News Almanac, 1916.