WHITE, Roland

Roland’s birth was registered at Inverell in 1895.  His parents were William Charles and Rosamond White of Inverell.  Roland attended school at Inverell and later worked for Messrs. Thomas Davis Sheady and Company at Tamworth and Inverell.  He was a keen cricketer and had been a member of the 5th Light Horse. He tried to enlist in mid 1915 but was rejected as he needed dental attention.  Determined to serve his country, he re-enlisted in December 1915 and became one of the First Contingent of The Kurrajongs who left Inverell together in January 1916.

Known as ‘Rowley’, he became a member of the 33rd Battalion, B Company which trained at Armidale and Rutherford prior to sailing from Australia in May 1916.  On the day the Battalion departed Australia he was promoted to Corporal. Upon arrival in England further training took place at Salisbury Plain before the Battalion was sent to France in November.

At the Battle of Messines in June 1917, he was wounded in action and transferred to England for hospital treatment for gas poisoning. Eventually the decision was made to return him to Australia.  After arriving back in Inverell in March 1918 he was given a welcome home reception at the Council Chambers before he was medically discharged three months later. Although his health was affected by his War service Roland returned to his pre war work, played golf and became a champion snooker player.  Sadly he died at Glen Innes in October 1928 not long after his engagement had been announced.

Corporal Roland White is remembered at Inverell where his name is inscribed on the town’s Honor Roll.  His elder brother Laurence enlisted in Victoria and erved with the 22nd Battalion.