Companion of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George : Lieutenant Colonel H F White, 35 Battalion, AIF

Neck decoration for a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George. Unnamed as issued.

Harold Fletcher White was born on 13 June 1883 at Saumarez, near Armidale, New South Wales. He became a grazier at Guyra and joined the 6th Light Horse Regiment (New England Light Horse) in 1906. In 1914 he was promoted to captain and served with the 5th Light Horse Regiment (Northern River Lancers), Armidale in April 1914. White was appointed to 33 Battalion, AIF in March 1916. On 1 May he was promoted to major and three days later embarked for overseas service aboard HMAT Marathon, as officer commanding 'D' Company.

Disembarking at Devonport, England on 9 July 33 Battalion spent the next four months training before proceeding overseas to France on 21 November. At Armentières on 8 February 1917 White received a gunshot wound to his shoulder and right hand which resulted in him having his little finger amputated. Returning to England for treatment and convalescence White re-joined his unit on 11 April and was a company commander when 33 Battalion went into action at the battle of Messines on 6 June. For his actions at Messines White was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.

White attended senior officers' school at Aldershot, England, from January to March 1918 and was promoted lieutenant-colonel on 13 April. That same day he was transferred to 36 Battalion which he commanded for two months before taking over command of 35 Battalion. White led the 35th in action during the battle of Amiens in August and in September in operations against the Hindenburg line.

Returning to Australia at the end of the war, White was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George on 3 June 1919 'for most valuable service on Command of his Battalion during the SOMME Operations including the capture of the HINDENBURG Line on the 30th September/1st October. He has displayed to a very marked degree high qualities of leadership, cool gallantry in action and quick, sound decision of equal merit has been his work out of the line in looking after the training and welfare of his men who have not failed to show their confidence and affection for their leader’. White was also awarded the French Croix de Guerre and was mentioned in despatches three times.

During the Second World War White served as a member of the Volunteer Defence Corps from March 1942.

He died on 20 February 1971 at Armidale and was buried at Guyra.

• Distinguished Service Order : Major H F White, 33 Battalion, AIF
• British War Medal 1914-20 : Lieutenant Colonel H F White, 35 Battalion, AIF
• Victory Medal : Lieutenant Colonel H F White, 35 Battalion, AIF
• George V Silver Jubilee Medal : Lieutenant Colonel H F White
• George VI Coronation Medal : Lieutenant Colonel H F White
• French Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star : Lieutenant Colonel H F White, 35 Battalion, AIF