Ballarat men at Gallipoli 2

Alexander Henry White (1882-1915) was born in Ballarat  in 1882 to Alexander White a maltster originally from Scotland and his English wife Eliza. He was educated in Ballarat at Grenville College and after finishing school joined his father, brother and grandfather in the family malting business.  His grandfather was Joe White who owned Joe White Maltings in Gregory St, Ballarat. Young Alexander was an active member of Wendouree Tennis Club, Ballarat Yacht Club, Ballarat Golf Club and the Ballarat Caledonia Society.

He had also served in the Citizens Forces since 1899, and by 1914 was a major in the 5th Light Horse Brigade.  He was appointed Commanding Officer of the 8th Light Horse Regiment which he took to Gallipoli in May 1915. Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander White was wounded at Walker's Ridge on 27 June, but was not evacuated.

White gallantly led the first wave of his troops forward at the Battle of the Nek on 7th August and was immediately killed on leaving the trench, sustaining a bullet wound to the head. Alexander White was posthumously Mentioned in Dispatches for his Gallipoli service and is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial

One of his fellow officers described White as one of the finest men he had ever met.  "He was one of nature's true gentleman and his men would do anything for him."

He left behind a wife and son.

Lt. Col. Alexander Henry White. Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial