Albert Leonard WHITE

Leonard Albert White was born 2 May 1875 in Stanthorpe the son of Alexander White and Maria Hird. Two further children were registered to this couple in Queensland; Lillias Anne born 1873 and Arthur Henry born 1877. A number of children were also born to this couple in NSW; Maria Hird 1863, Alexander William 1865, William Edward 1867, George 1869, Edward 1870, Alice Louisa 1880, John 1883, Alfred John 1885 and Ivy May 1887.

At the time of his enlistment, Len was a 40-year-old miner. He was 5 feet, 7 ¾ inches tall with brown hair, blue eyes and a clear complexion. He gave his next of kin as his mother Mrs M. White of Minnie Street, Cairns. Len belonged to the Church of England.

Len served in the Middle East and on the Western Front. He died at Pashendale 12 October 1917 and is buried in White House Street, St Jean Cemetery, Ypres in Belguim, plot 3, row Q, grave 13.

Len made no mention on his enlistment form of his wife Mary Cecilia Black whom he married 26 August 1902 in Cooktown. According to Mary she and Len had been living apart for the past 5 years due to “family troubles”. This led to a dispute over who should receive Len’s war gratuity and his medals. His brother Arthur received the medals but was ordered to return them so they could be given to Len’s estranged wife Mary. The war gratuity was also paid to Mary. To confuse matters even further, Len left two wills; the first will left everything to his brother Alfred John White of Helen Street Cooktown, the second will left everything to his brother-in-law Percy Shadford of “Lillydale” Kilara via Cairns.